Fahadh Faasil has long been one of those rare actors who thrive in the indie space, where every film of his has been received with open arms.
While he has occasionally dabbled in mainstream cinema, his recent ventures haven’t quite been met with the reception he had hoped for.
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In a recent interview, Fahadh candidly spoke about having failed with one big film in the past year, without naming the project.
He reflected on how, when something is not in one’s control, it’s best to simply let it go.
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While Fahadh didn’t mention the film directly, fans suspect he was referring to Pushpa 2: The Rise. His character in the franchise, SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, wasn’t received very well.
A small part of the audience thinks it might be Vettaiyan, starring Rajinikanth, but Pushpa 2 is more likely.
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Though he was the main antagonist, many found the portrayal lacking menace. His bald-headed look and exaggerated demeanour made the role feel almost comical, and critics felt that his acting skills were heavily underutilised.
When the villain is strong, the hero’s journey becomes even more compelling. A well-written antagonist can elevate both the narrative and the protagonist. Many believe that if Shekhawat’s character had been written with more depth and threat, it could have made Pushpa’s arc even more powerful.
Some also speculate that Fahadh, an actor who reigns in the Malayalam film industry, may not take up any Telugu projects in the near future.
Fans have their own theories about why Fahadh regrets doing Pushpa. From being misled about the depth of the role to doing the project purely for monetary reasons, the theories are many.
Whatever the reason, only Fahadh truly knows what happened behind the scenes. What fans do know is that his talent is too nuanced to be underused. His brief stint in a pan-Indian blockbuster didn’t do justice to his skills.
They’re relieved to see Fahadh seemingly step back from commercial cinema that may compromise on quality in pursuit of box office numbers.
After all, he’s an actor made for more.
