All eyes are on the big screens as Chatha Pacha is set to welcome you to the ring of rowdies. An action-comedy drama based on WWE , Adhvaith Nayar's debut, Arjun Ashokan , Roshan Mathew , Vishak Nair , and Ishan Shoukath are in the leads . With Dharma Productions acquiring the theatrical rights and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy , the magnificent musical trio making their Malayalam debut, the movie has plenty of reasons for the hype. Well, ahead of the release, we spoke to the then Kuppi, now a daring villain, Vishak Nair, to share his excitement about the movie.
As soon as his call was connected, we couldn't wait to ask who Walter Lopez is, the cameo every Malayali is awaiting.
"We have a strict directive not to reveal that! (he laughs) Since this little suspense is very important for the movie, I am also in 'zipped mode, ' " he said.
Talking about the movie, a fresh take on WWE in Malayalam, Vishak shared that it is this novelty that attracted him to it.
"WWE holds a special place in the hearts of both millennials and Gen Z. It's one of the cherished childhood memories for all of us. So, what if a group of men tries to organize a Costume Gusthi in our own Mattanchery ? That 's what the movie is all about. What attracted me to the plot is that, though the movie is all about glitz, glam, and fights, every character, every moment in the story is rooted in emotions and reality. All credit goes to our director-writer duo," he said.
Even with just a mere glimpse in the teaser and character poster, Vishak's character Cherian has already caught the attention of the fans.
"Yes, I am playing an antagonist, but Cherian is a likable villain. I could really go bonkers on screen, and it was all cool for my character. Being likable as well as becoming the biggest threat was a challenge. Usually, we don't get to know the real story of the villains, but this movie explores the turmoil in Cherian's life, keeping him away from all those villain stereotypes," the actor shared.
Talking about the hype around the movie, especially with the big names in the distribution list, Vishak said that it has made the whole crew even more excited.
"We are excited about the hype. It has given us confidence that we have made a good film, and it is being supported by the best from the industry too. All credit goes to our producer, Shihan Shoukath ; just like the movie title, he was also in a 'Do or Die' mode. On the flipside, I haven't been this anxious ever since my first movie," he added.
Playing the villain in a movie on WWE, Vishak undoubtedly had to go through intense training for almost four months.
"Before the shoot, we all had a four -month training. We had two trainers : one focused on acoustics and the other on mobility. We experienced it all - bruises, swelling, and wounds-but nothing stopped us from getting up the next day and doing it all over again. I used to belittle anyone who said you should control your food for a better body. However , here I enjoyed the journey of cutting carbs, measuring protein , and pushing my body in a certain way for a goal," he shared.
Ahead of the release, the actor has only one request for the audience.
"Please try watching the movie in theaters. Don't wait for it to come to OTT. The movie is full of whistle-worthy stunts, eccentric characters , and colorful moments. It is meant to be viewed with a crowd, and that communal energy can add wonders to your experience. Above all, it is the year-long effort of all of us ; I hope it will be well received," he concluded.