Eko star Sandeep Pradeep: 'Became submissive watching other actors' performances in this film...'| Exclusive

Young Malayalam actor Sandeep Pradeep won over Malayalis with his boy-next-door roles in recent hits like Alappuzha Gymkhana and Falimy. He is now set for the theatrical premiere of his next movie, Eko, which is helmed by Dinjith Ayyathan of Kishkindha Kaandam-fame. Sandeep shared his experience working on Eko and how it required more work for him to play a lead role in the film in an interview with OTTplay.

Eko star Sandeep Pradeep Interview

We last spoke following the success of Padakkalam and Alappuzha Gymkhana. What facets of your career have altered during the last few months?

First of all, I would say that 2025 was a successful year for me in terms of my growth as an actor. I think that in the second half of this year, my newcomer phase has gradually transformed and propelled me to the next level. I've always wanted to be an actor, and I've never had a backup plan other than acting. My sole focus has been to act on good opportunities, and in light of all of this, Padakkalam, Alappuzha Gymkhana, and now Eko have only helped me evolve as a performer.

Regarding your ambition to become an actor, did you ever have doubts about the unpredictability of both the profession and the film industry?

I wouldn't say no because Falimy took some while to take off initially. After a brief interruption, it was restarted. During this gap, I worked as a VFX artist for a company and in a few short films on YouTube. Even at that time, acting was my passion. I had these doubtful ideas at one point because of financial instability. However, I had confidence in Falimy and its director, and in the end, everything worked out well for me. 

What does all this fame mean to you?

Aside from the increased responsibility that comes with fame, nothing has changed for me. In my opinion, an actor needs to be popular in order to be financially viable. I believe that criticism and comparisons to my previous efforts are now more likely to happen. Thus, it is now an obligation to maintain consistency. Being a part of good films has always been my main goal, and choosing a script has now become a serious process for me. 

Also Read: Alappuzha Gymkhana star Sandeep Pradeep: 'Khalid Rahman had given a fair warning before the shoot...'| Exclusive

With their flicks, young stars such as Naslen, Mathew, and Arun Ajikumar are all doing very well in the industry. How do you see this success?

It is a fantastic thing, and this space should keep expanding. I think there is enough room for every performer and every type of movie, and because of these projects, our industry is also being praised or discussed. Aspiring performers and filmmakers will undoubtedly have plenty of chances to craft distinctive narratives for the audience. This can be seen by the popularity of films like Premalu and Lokah.

In what ways has Eko influenced you as a performer?

In terms of screenplay or conversation, it is something I have never done in my professional life. This movie required me to act out and repeat the precise dialogue, which would be in lengthy paragraphs, whereas in the other ones I used more informal language or had the opportunity to improvise. I used to sit down and memorise everything, something I had never done before. 

In addition, I became submissive after seeing the performances of the other members of the cast, including Vineeth, Ashokan, and Narain, which inspired me to work much more. Observing how effortlessly each of them performed their roles was both surprising and exciting. Even I had my good moments on the set when Dinjith complimented me for certain scenes. I sincerely hope that this movie receives the credit it merits and gets watched by many people worldwide.

Your upcoming films?

I am working on a project with Weekend Blockbusters. Though I can't reveal much about it at this stage, I am sure it would be a good entertainer.

FAQs

Q. Who is Sandeep Pradeep?

A. Sandeep Pradeep is a rising star in Malayalam, known for his performances in Falimy, Alappuzha Gymkhana and Padakkalam. 

Q. Where to watch Padakkalam?

A. Padakkalam is streaming on JioHotstar and OTTplay Premium.