When Premam's Nivin Pauly Surprised First-Timer Kalidas Jayaram On Poomaram Set

Young, award-winning child actor Kalidas Jayaram is now debuting as an adult in Malayalam cinema with Poomaram. The youngster is excited about his Malayalam debut in his father, veteran actor Jayaram's home turf. This is the third film of Abrid Shine, who directed Southern star Nivin Pauly in his previous two films. Nivin visited the Poomaram sets recently. And in a chat with Kalidas, we find out more about what transpired:
 Kalidas has Meen Kozhambum Mann Paanaiyum and Oru Pakka Kathai lined up for release in Tamil, but is thrilled about his Malayalam debut. "This is a campus movie where I play a college student. I was attracted by its unique plot that sets it apart from other campus flicks I've seen. It's something everyone can relate to. It's going to be a film that I can be proud of when I look back even after a decade," he affirms.
 Kalidas has been shooting on a college campus in Kochi and is enjoying the experience immensely. A moving moment was when his parents celebrated Onam with him on sets on the first day of shoot. "They were very happy and excited since I started out as a child actor in Malayalam here. Of course there is a pressure to live up to my dad's name but I'm enjoying it." he laughs.
 Nivin Pauly visits sets of Poomaram A highlight of the shoot was when Premam star Nivin Pauly visited the campus. Nivin was the hero of director Abrid Shine's debut film 1983 (which fetched him the Kerala State Best Debut Director Award) and Action Hero Biju. The two share a close bond which was visible when Nivin spent an hour on the campus shoot.

Recalls Kalidas, "Nivin spent some time with us and chatted with Abrid and me. We have met before. He asked me about all my projects and told me about his Tamil debut. He was very affable and having worked with Abrid in two films, he told me how enjoyable the experience could be. He said 'Abrid usually shoots everything in a very realistic manner so enjoy it all and have fun while your shooting with him'. He would have spent more time but had to leave when the crowds increased."

The realism Nivin referred to is already reflected in the casting and set of Poomaram. And Kalidas has already been following Nivin's advice to have fun. Says he, "Poomaram has no heroine and no veteran actors as such. It has mainly lots of real students whom were chosen after auditions. It's their first movie. Since we are shooting on a college campus I have fun chatting with these student actors during the breaks. I don't even go to my caravan. They are all my age and I've learnt a lot about college life in Kerala from them and the teachers. For me, it's like going back to college! It's very interesting to learn about the very different college experience in Kerala, where politics and student strikes play a huge role. I have studied in Chennai my whole life so I'm happy I could experience college life of Kerala as well. So when Nivin told me about the fun part of working with Abrid, I could relate to it immediately!" Kalidas also attended a two-week camp before the shoot, to get into character.
 It may be recalled that Nivin Pauly's campus film Premam was an iconic hit, catapulting him to fame. With Abrid's expert guidance and realism coupled with Kalidas' acting genes and chocolate-boy looks, is Poomaram another campus hit in the making? Let's wait!