Exclusive! Asif Ali on working in multi-starrers such as Kaapa: ‘It makes way for great performances in a film’

Malayalam star Asif Ali has never been insecure about sharing the limelight with other actors in his films. Throughout his career, he has been part of multi-starrers. While the past few years had him churning out solo hits, the pandemic seems to have him back as part of films that require an ensemble cast.

From Mahaveeryar and Kuttavum Shiksayum this year to the upcoming Kaapa and Jude Anthany Joseph directorial, Asif might not be the protagonist, but essays an important role all of these.

Also read: Exclusive! Asif Ali: Kotthu showcases the emotional ramifications of political murders that not many are aware of 

In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, the actor says, “I have always preferred such movies. I am comfortable working in any film as long as people don’t ask me why I did such a character. Right now, a lot of people prefer multi-starrers. Even Kuttavum Shikshayum was one such movie. When you have so many artistes, there’s a particular mood to the movie and also when you have talented actors, it makes way for great performances. It’s an exciting process for us actors too because there’s a regular give-and-take happening on the sets.”

Ask him if such films also help bring back the audience to the theatres and he says, “There’s definitely a possibility. For instance, when we were promoting Mahaveeryar at the malls, it was evident that is the kind of fanfare such films attract. People who like watching my films as well as Nivin’s turned up. That’s the kind of appeal that most multi-starrers are made for.”

The actor, who has completed shooting for A Ranjith Cinema and Maheshum Marutiyum, is also part of Jude’s film, which has Tovino Thomas, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Kunchacko Boban and Aparna Balamurali in pivotal roles. “Jude Anthany’s movie is based on the Kerala floods and I found the subject intriguing. It’s also a huge film made on a big budget. So, it requires such a cast to make it sellable,” says the actor, whose latest release Kotthu had him in the lead along with Roshan Mathew and Nikhila Vimal.

Asif is currently shooting for Mridul Nair's Kasargold, which also has Sunny Wayne, Shine Tom Chacko and Deepak Parambol as part of the cast.