No filter: With no star backing, actor Adithya has arrived

Adithya Shivpink is a name to watch out for as this young man is going to blow up in the years to come and you heard it here first. The grandson of Thengai Srinivasan, an actor and comedian who entertained us for over two decades, has an impressive line up of films set to release. Before you get started on the nepotism rant knowing who his grandfather is, he has worked hard to get these roles by building his contacts himself. He worked as a celebrity handler during one of the biggest award shows to familiarise himself with the industry. Those contacts gave him the entry to directors’ and producers’ offices, so he could audition for roles.

You may have seen him in the Mercury promo song and that led to him being introduced to Stone Bench production team. They called him in for an audition and it was all hush hush. He didn’t know what project and who he was auditioning for. He knew just the scene he had to enact and Adithya went with it and gave it his best. A few weeks had gone by and he hadn’t heard anything from the production team. Any actor will tell you that rejection and how to handle it are a huge part of the business. Like Daniel Day-Lewis once famously said, “I work only a few months a year, so technically I’m unemployed.” One such unemployed afternoon Adithya tells me, “I will never forget this — I was at home when I got a call from Stone Bench telling me that I got the part and it was for the film Petta and have a week before we leave for Darjeeling to shoot for 35-40 days. I was so excited and wanted to tell my family but everyone was sleeping. Most of the actors were of the same age group and I was familiar with the team. I thoroughly enjoyed working with them.”

As a huge Rajini fan, I had to know what it was like working with the man himself. Adithya flashes those dimples and tells me, “My first ever shot as an actor in the industry was with Rajini sir in 2.0. When I got the call for that shoot I had a long conversation with myself about not being star struck and performing well. I wanted to stay focused. Even when we rehearsed the lines I didn’t look at him. I practically looked through him — he was so sweet, supportive and helpful. After the shot, I worked up the courage to ask him for a picture and he told me he would after he changed. I waited outside his caravan and he came out surrounded by his team and left in his car; he even waved at me. I just stood there trying to not let the disappointment wash over me. Fifteen minutes later, the production manager of the film called and said Rajini sir forgot to take a picture with me and has invited me to his residence. I was floored; everything they say about him was true.” The one dialogue that came to mind was what Abbas said in Padayappa: What a man!

Adithya tells me that Rajini sir recognised him during Petta shoot and even enquired about how his career had progressed. Adithya could proudly tell him that he plays the antagonist in Harish Kalyan’s next and also in Vanangamudi starring Arvind Swamy. He will also be seen in Super Duper in an important role. “I feel blessed to have started my career in Rajini sir’s film and then get to watch and learn from him in what might be his last few films before he forays into politics. He gives every scene that little extra and his improve is just incredible. It’s hard to be in a scene with him and to remember to act because you are so blown away by his presence and performance that you can’t help but clap. I’m so inspired and will cherish these moments as I grow in my career,” he says.

Adithya might have just started his career — but with those dimples, his work ethic and talent in his genes, we might have a superstar in the making.