Bangalorean Shaam is so keen to breakout as a Tamil action hero that he stepped in when the producers abandoned his latest project
So convinced is Shaam about being an action hero that when producers backed out of Agam Puram, he took it upon himself to complete the film and turned producer. With three films that crowned him a romantic hero 12B, Lesa Lesa and Iyarkai, Shaam is ready to give up that title.
Agam Puram, which will release in Telugu as Gang War, is directed by Thirumalai and has Shaam and Meenakshi in the lead roles. “You will see a different Shaam in Agam Puram,” Thirumalai says. Apart from a change in genre, Shaam sees the film as a career advancing move since it’s being released by Sun Pictures. “Their strategies are good and they back their films very well,” he says.
Shaam is no newbie to not understand how well marketing a film works. He’s spent nine years in the Tamil movie industry, and shot to fame with 12B, directed by Jeeva. Later he got to work with Priyadarshan and Jananaadan but that did nothing much for his career. Things began to roll after he starred in director Surendra Reddy’s Kick.
Shaam then went on to act in the Telugu remake of the Tamil film Thillalangadi, with Tamannah as the heroine. “Doing a regular role never thrilled me and I have always wanted to experiment,” he says. Shaam believes without a good script any film will flop. “I am always looking for challenging roles and it’s now that I am getting good opportunities. I have made mistakes in choosing films in the past, and I don’t want to repeat them.”
The past has also taught him that a big production house does not ensure success. “If the role is challenging, I am even ready to do a negative character, regardless of the banner,” he says.
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Making an entry
It was during his modelling days in Bangalore that films beckoned Shaam. He was introduced to the assistant director to director Kathir through a friend. “I submitted a portfolio of my pictures to him but never got a call. Then I secured the role of Vijay’s friend in Kushi. While working in Kushi, I got a call from director Jeeva who was looking for a new face for his film 12B. I was offered the film immediately
after he saw me. I learnt a lot from working on the sets with Jeeva. I got that chance again when I acted in his film Ullam Ketkume. Whenever I think about him I feel like he is still alive; nobody can take his place in my heart,” says Shaam.
Campus capers
“I graduated from St Joseph’s College of Commerce; I used to be a brat. I would spend most of my time in a gym in Frazer Town. I am still in touch with all my friends and whenever we meet up it’s always a lot of fun.”
Better half: Shaam married Khashish, his college sweetheart. Two kids complete
the picture.
Mush talk: “When director Surendra Reddy narrated the story of Kick, he commented that something was amiss in my look. Instantly, he suggested I try growing a moustache. I had never had one before and do agree it gives me a different look which has clicked.”
