Criticism refines the actor in us: Sandeep Pradeep

Actor Sandeep Pradeep has had an eventful year so far, playing prominent roles in Alappuzha Gymkhana and Padakkalam, both of which earned him critical acclaim. The Falimy actor, who is currently filming Kishkindakandam fame Dinjith Ayyathan’s new project, speaks to us about his films, evolving fanbase, and future prospects. Excerpts:

'There was a strong sense of team work behind Padakkalam'Padakkalam was Manu’s (director Manu Swaraj) first film. He had previously worked on Minnal Murali, so he had experience in the fantasy genre. He's also a comic geek, and the way he presented the story — with excitement and confidence —really impressed me. The content itself was something fresh and unexplored. I was struck by how, as a newcomer, he chose to tackle such a challenging genre. Manu had a clear vision for his film. There was a strong sense of teamwork behind the project, and I believe it’s that collaborative spirit that helped elevate the film.

'Off-screen chemistry helped our performances'Falimy was a breakthrough for me as an actor, and I got to share the screen with Jagadeesh ettan. Now, working with Suraj ettan (Suraj Venjaramoodu) and Sharfikka (Sharafudheen), I truly appreciate how welcoming they are toward newcomers. It’s hard to perform well if your co-actors don’t create a comfortable working environment. If I were to be acting 20 years from now, I hope to treat newcomers with the same warmth they’ve shown me. This film also demanded a strong off-screen chemistry and communication between us, which really helped our performances.

'Khalid was upfront about the hardwork required'Khalid Rahman approached me for Alappuzha Gymkhana about a month after Falimy was released. He told me upfront that the role would be physically demanding — I’d likely be beaten up a lot — and that I should only commit if I was ready for it. I was already a big fan of his work, so I immediately agreed. It wasn’t just me; everyone involved gave their 100% to the project.

'Had to balance my weight and build a boxer's build'My character in Alappuzha Gymkhana competes in the 65kg boxing category. I was informed early on that there would be a weighing scene, so I needed to maintain exactly 65kg. I was already at that weight, but I didn’t have the physique of a boxer. The real challenge was maintaining the weight while building a boxer’s frame. Our coaches played a crucial role in helping us achieve that balance.

'A good film is one that satisfies me personally irrespective of its success'Even when I first started dreaming of a film career, my motto was to never settle for just what comes my way. We need to actively seek what we truly want — only then can we reach our goals. Of course, I want to do good films. Before I had a Wikipedia page, I used to joke with friends that when I do have one, it should list a lot of kidilam (awesome) films. If we accept every offer without discernment, a misstep could define our careers. For me, a good film is one that satisfies me personally — not necessarily a box office hit. The film should make me happy, no matter its result.

'I value honest criticism 'My closest friends and family are honest critics of my work. They know me well — my personality and behaviour — so, sometimes, they’ll point out when my real-life traits seep into my characters. That’s why I always try to shed those traits when acting. I believe criticism helps refine us, and I’m always open to it.





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