Chandni Sasikumar had just two scenes as a civil police officer in Mohanlal’s Tharun Moorthy-directorial Thudarum. Yet, that meant the world for the up-and-coming actor whose journey to Thudarum started two years ago, at Pupa, Tharun’s acting workshop series. Not just her, 20-odd participants of various editions of Pupa got small roles in Thudarum. Pupa, Tharun’s ‘acting foundry’, has completed 20 editions and the next is in Kochi scheduled for November 29 and 30, followed by editions in Dubai next month.
Earlier this year, in June, actor Manju Pillai launched an acting workshop, Shades of Acting, under her production house, Pillai’s Perspective, in Thiruvananthapuram. Its fourth edition will be held from December 5 to 7 at Kochi.
Manu Ashokan, director of commercially-and-critically- acclaimed movies such as Uyare and Kaanekkaane, has also joined the fray with his workshop, Chhaaya, which will be held at Aluva this weekend (November 22 and 23).
Acting schools/workshops led by prominent names are a huge draw for those looking to make a career in the movies. With celebrated names helming the classes, aspiring actors are making a beeline for these attracted by the credentials of the coaches.
Tharun Moorthy with participants of Pupa
| Photo Credit:
Rahul Johnson
“Pupa is what I wanted for myself when I entered the industry to become an actor,” says Tharun, when asked what is in it [acting workshops] for him. He conducted the first workshop towards the end of 2022 at Kumarakom, with 25-odd participants. Post Thudarum, all seats are filled as soon as the workshops are announced.
According to Manju Pillai, who has been acing character roles and carrying forward the legacy of her grandfather SP Pillai, “The workshops are my way of giving back to the craft. The idea was mooted by my brother, Vivek Pillai, when we launched our production house, Pillai’s Perspective. This is a platform for those who dream of an acting career but are short on confidence or guidance to find their footing,” says Manju.
Filmmaker Manu Ashokan
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
For Manu, Chhaaya is the culmination of a long-standing dream. “There are multiple reasons behind this step. One is the need for a fresh database of actors. We have become used to certain faces and their style of acting. Also, over time, we have lost a set of fine character actors. It was refreshing to work with over 120 new actors in my upcoming web series, Eyes. Acting cannot be taught; Chhaaya is a platform to polish talent. It also intends to hold a mirror to aspiring actors. It will let them know what they want,” says Manu.
Manju Pillai at Shades of Acting workshop organised by her production house, Pillai’s Perspective
| Photo Credit:
Sreenath Sukumaran
While Tharun and Manu conduct the sessions, Manju’s workshops have veteran actor and acting trainer Murali Menon as the main faculty. She had also brought in prominent names for interactive sessions, which include Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Dileesh Pothan, Christo Tomy, Sankar Ramakrishnan, Azhagappan and Kottayam Nazeer among others. Her upcoming workshop will feature Sidharth Bharathan, Surabhi Lakshmi, Sabumon and Johny Antony.
Tharun says that modules at Pupa are designed to strike a chord with human emotions through interactive sessions and group activities. “I don’t mentor them, instead I become their companion to boost their confidence and help them break free of their inhibitions. Acting means becoming someone else and for that they need to let go off stress and their fears. I adopt various methods for this; they even break down,” says Tharun, who is helped by his father, D Madhu, an actor.
He stresses that Pupa is not just about opening a door to cinema. “Many people turn up at Pupa to meet me or to ask for a chance. That approach changes within a few hours because by then they are clear about whether they are in it for the long haul or not. It is all about hard work and smart work,” says Tharun.
Tharun Moorthy with participants of Pupa
| Photo Credit:
Rahul Johnson
Manu says that his sessions are based on cinema and so elements of theatre have been kept to the minimum. There will be games and sessions on using the body and voice, an actor’s tools. “They will also be made to improvise situations; they can come up with stories. I will also give them characters and situations to create the premise,” Manu explains. He adds, “The language of cinema has changed and it is not for those who are eyeing only name and fame.”
People of all age groups register for these workshops. “Some of them had to let go of their passion due to personal reasons and this is a chance to follow their heart,” says Tharun. Manju adds that it is interesting to work with passionate participants, which includes senior citizens as well. “Their enthusiasm is contagious and it is overwhelming when they show reluctance to leave the camp after three days. Some of them have already registered for another edition of the workshop, which they call the second season,” she says. The actor adds that she plans to cast eligible actors in the web series and mini web series that her production house will roll out.
Tharun Moorthy with participants of Pupa
| Photo Credit:
Rahul Johnson
Interestingly, actors working in movies, are also registering for these workshops. For example, Pupa had actors Sshivada, Poojitha, Sija Rose, Miya George as participants. “Most of them turn up to rejuvenate themselves and make a fresh start,” Tharun says.
Even non-actors attend the sessions. Star Singer-fame Dr Bineetha Ranjth is one such. “I was inspired to register by musician Arun Gopan, a fellow contestant of Star Singer. I have several insecurities while performing on stage, especially because of my body type. Also, I had reservations about hugging someone from the opposite gender. Pupa has sessions that help to peel off those issues and bring out the child in you who is pure and fearless. I was happy that I finally danced and even acted by the end of the session.”
The fee at the workshops usually start from ₹10,000, inclusive of stay and food.
Chandni Sasikumar
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Besides Thudarum, a few participants of Pupa, have acted in advertisements directed by Tharun’s company. For Chandni who attended the fourth edition of Pupa, it was all about getting validation for her decision to pursue acting. “I have had disappointing auditions and so I needed to evaluate myself,” says the actor, who has acted in the sitcom on YouTube, SKJ Talks and the web series, Love Under Construction. She adds some participants have attended multiple editions of Pupa.
Dr Dhanasree MB
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Dr Dhanasree MB, a voice actor from Kollam who attended Manju’s workshop, says that the sessions were an eye-opener. “Even though I have acted in some projects directed by students of filmmaking, I realised how little I know about acting after the workshop. As Murali sir said, by the end of the sessions one would realise whether there is an actor in you or not,” says Dhanasree, who has dubbed for a bunch of films, including Prince and Family.
Director, writer and actor Jeo Baby agrees. As someone who has led acting workshops in different institutions, he says, “Only 10% of those who turn up have talent. The rest are in it because it is their dream or may be to meet the celebrity trainer. By the end of the class, the second category will decide whether they should continue or not.” He adds, “I don’t hold auditions for my films. I find my actors in many ways. These workshops increase the possibility of finding new faces. I enjoy these workshops.”
Dileesh Pothan with Manju Pillai at the acting workshop organised by her production house, Pillai’s Perspective
| Photo Credit:
Sreenath Sukumaran
Tharun seconds this, “More than monetary benefit, Pupa has contributed to my creativity. Even when I enjoy the adulation coming my way, I don’t want to be in that bubble. I need to move on and find more narratives. Pupa gives me that database of stories and characters.”
