Mollywood's popular character actor, Aju Varghese, has been on a roll with his film choices in recent years. His latest success, playing a key role in the Nivin Pauly-starrer 'Sarvam Maya', which has crossed the impressive Rs 100 crore mark at the global box office, is a testament to his sharp selection. However, the method behind his choices is surprisingly unconventional and involves a lot of shut-eye.
The Unusual Habit: Sleeping Through Story Sessions
In a candid revelation that has amused fans and industry insiders alike, Aju Varghese confessed that he has a peculiar habit of falling asleep when filmmakers narrate scripts to him. He shared this hilarious truth in a recent interview with The Editorial.
"To be honest, I fall asleep while listening to stories. When someone narrates a script, I often end up dozing off. I am the person who fell asleep while listening to the story of 'Vellimoonga'. Do we need a bigger example than that?" Aju stated. The film 'Vellimoonga', starring Biju Menon, went on to become a major critical and commercial success, proving that his naps don't necessarily lead to bad decisions.
Why Long Narrations Are a Challenge
Explaining the reason behind this quirky trait, Aju pointed to the one-sided nature of traditional story narrations. "If it is a situation where there is a back-and-forth conversation, there is no problem. But when someone is narrating a story, I can’t interrupt in between and ask them personal questions," he said.
He admitted that his attempts to stay attentive often fail, leading to an awkward predicament. "I have tried to listen to stories many times. In the end, I feel it will look like I am insulting them. So I end up agreeing to do the film," he added with honesty.
The Simple New Rule for Script Selection
To navigate this dilemma and streamline his decision-making, Aju Varghese has now adopted a straightforward rule. "Now, I only ask them to tell me what my role is," he revealed. This focused approach allows him to cut through the lengthy narratives and directly understand the character's scope and his fit within the project, eliminating confusion.
This trust-based system extends to filmmakers he respects. He recently disclosed that he agreed to be a part of Vineeth Sreenivasan's upcoming film 'Oru Jaathi Jaathakam' without even reading the script. His faith was placed entirely in the director, based on the strength of his previous work like 'Aravindante Athidhikal'.
Riding High on Current Success
Aju Varghese's unique method seems to be working brilliantly. He is currently receiving loud applause for his performance and combination scenes with Nivin Pauly in the hit film 'Sarvam Maya'. The film's remarkable box office journey, crossing 100 crores globally, underscores the actor's successful streak.
His career trajectory shows that in the end, it's not about staying awake through every pitch, but about instinct, trust in proven collaborators, and a clear understanding of one's own role in the cinematic tapestry.
