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00:00Good afternoon, this is Manjusha Radhakrishnan from Gulf News, I'm the entertainment editor
00:10and today it gives me great pleasure to introduce Asif Ali, the Malayalam heartthrob I must
00:14say, hunk of an actor who is there to promote his latest movie which is releasing next week
00:21in the UAE cinemas, it's called Adios Amigo, it's about friendship or a road trip, what
00:27is it about Asif? As the name shows, it's about a friendship, it's a road movie, it's
00:37a road trip and again it's about two people who accidentally meet in a very awkward situation
00:46and it's kind of a fun entertainer, yeah that's it. That's good and it's got the Suraj Venniar
00:54mode which I have to say is like one of our favourite actors, what was the chemistry like
00:59between you two? Do you guys get along even otherwise? Actually, it was a very huge surprise
01:05for me because this is the first time we are doing a film together, we've been friends
01:13like you know, from 2012, we did a film called Best of Luck and we had a couple of scenes
01:24that's it and after like 10-12 years, we are doing a full length film, full length characters.
01:31So, I have always liked Surajettan, the way he used to, you know, Dasamool and Damu kind
01:42of characters, even I am a huge fan of that kind of characters and all of a sudden he
01:48changed into another level. So, finally I think he is portraying something similar to
01:56the Suraj Venniar mode that we used to like. Into the easy space now I think. His safe
02:03zone. His safe zone. As if I have to say, you are like a self-made actor, he's done
02:08so well and he's experimented a lot from playing characters with grey shades to playing, how
02:13do you choose your roles? Like, it's not easy right to make it in Malayalam film. I choose
02:18characters, I am not worried about the shades. I prefer, what attracts me is always the characters.
02:25Then comes the script, in that script, screen space, everything. For me, it's always ultimately
02:32the characters. That's why films like Kettulanal's Malaga and Haneebi. Haneebi is my favourite.
02:40It's an amaze, even now.
02:53And one thing about Asif Ali is that, he is in a movie, he doesn't have to play the central
02:58role. You always have to play, not all actors can do that right? Many actors will say, what
03:03is the length of my role? You don't seem to ask that question. Am I right?
03:10What attracts me is the characters. I have a specific space in it. People shouldn't
03:15ask me why I did this character. That's the only thing, that's the only criteria I
03:20have. If I feel that I haven't done my character in the narration, or if I feel it's a new
03:25character, even in my latest release, Level Cross.
03:28Level Cross, this is releasing this, I was supposed to come to you, with Amalapalli and
03:33you. I don't know, it didn't happen. But yes, Level Cross is a thriller.
03:37It's a drama thriller. It's a very slow poisoning kind of thriller.
03:43Slow burn.
03:44Slow burn. Yeah, that's the word.
03:46Arfa Sayyub was Jithu Joseph sir's associate. He told me about it.
03:53It's an international cinema. We can show it to any type of audience, in any language.
04:02That's how it happened. Being an actor, my big luck is that, this weekend's film and
04:09the next weekend's film, both are extremely, traveling in two directions.
04:15It's a blessing, right?
04:17It's a blessing.
04:18Getting choices and being able to choose.
04:21Asapalli, have you thought of exploring Bollywood as well? You know, because Prithviraj
04:26has gone producing. He's trying a lot. How about you?
04:31Or do you want to just be the king of Malayalam cinema?
04:34No, no, no. Not like that. Definitely, I want to explore it. If I get a good chance,
04:39I'll definitely do it. But till now, I haven't got an exciting offer or call.
04:47Are you telling the truth?
04:48I'm telling the truth.
04:49Okay, in case any Bollywood filmmaker is watching, then Asapalli is one of the best actors.
04:54Most underrated as well.
04:55I'm ready for an audition.
04:57That's very good. You're ready to audition even after many actors don't like to audition.
05:01It's an ego thing.
05:02That's how it should be.
05:03Ideally. Have you auditioned for a Malayalam film, like for this movie or any other film?
05:07I don't think Malayalam films need auditions because people have seen all our shades.
05:14Again, when it comes to Adios Amigos, I did a film with Thangam, the scriptwriter of this film.
05:23Kittulananda Malaga, supposed to be my best.
05:26Thangam gave me that.
05:28Thangam knows how I am.
05:32Again, Nahaas, the director.
05:34I've worked with him.
05:36Nahaas was in Andhra Karikamballam.
05:39Kittulananda Malaga was there.
05:41Oonda was there.
05:42Oonda was amazing.
05:43Thallumala was there.
05:45Nahaas has worked in all of them.
05:47I know Nahaas and Nahaas knows me.
05:49So, it came from a friendship.
05:51That's why there was no space for auditions.
05:53But, I always say that an artist should audition before casting.
05:58Ideally, yes.
05:59In an ideal world.
06:00But here, there's a lot of connection.
06:01Also, you're very popular, Asif.
06:03I'll tell you.
06:04I'll give you guys context.
06:05Just a few days ago, at an awards ceremony, a musician, an artist, kind of like, I think,
06:11told him.
06:12And there was a huge issue.
06:14But he, you handled that situation with such grace.
06:17You didn't talk about it, A.
06:18And you just told all the, you know, all his fans not to troll the other musician,
06:22who kind of, perhaps, may have insulted him, etc.
06:25I think, how did you learn such maturity?
06:27I would have gone on Twitter and be like, what is this?
06:30Told him back.
06:32I don't know.
06:33I'm not sure.
06:34That just happened.
06:35At that moment, I felt like I should reply to that.
06:40I felt like I should react to that.
06:42You know, that happened.
06:43It happened.
06:45And he even has a yacht named after him in Dubai.
06:49That is very funny.
06:50We were laughing.
06:51We had a group in Gulf News.
06:52And I was just sharing it with the Malaya Leaping.
06:54And they were all laughing.
06:55They were like, ah, this is really funny.
06:57Only happens in Dubai.
06:58How does it feel to have a yacht named after you?
07:01By a random…
07:02Yeah, I felt so honored.
07:04I felt special.
07:06I don't even have an auto rickshaw named after me in my hometown.
07:11But, it's not a big deal that a person felt such a desire,
07:16or that he was able to have such a feeling.
07:20That he had such a heart.
07:22But, I don't think I deserve such a big space.
07:26I don't think I deserve it.
07:28But, I'm so honored.
07:29Thank you so much.
07:30Normally, you have on the bus, you know, Sheena Mall.
07:33Asif Mall.
07:34Asif Mall.
07:36But, yacht is really like taking it forward.
07:39Let's make it a trend.
07:40I know you're really in a hurry, promoting stuff.
07:43Do you think, as you're a self-made actor,
07:46and how difficult was it to reach the space that you are having a name on a yacht?
07:52I don't know.
07:54When I think about it, the risk I took,
07:57and how much…
07:59How do I say?
08:00We don't know.
08:01I don't know.
08:02I can't explain.
08:03You can't explain.
08:04Okay, brilliant.
08:05But, you can definitely tell all our fans to watch your movie.
08:07That's how to show love, right?
08:08Please do watch my movie, Adios Amigos.
08:10It's releasing on 2nd of August.
08:12So, I'm looking forward.
08:14And, his Level Cross is also out today.
08:17Level Cross has reached the theaters.
08:19So, everyone go and watch it.
08:20Both are movies in two genres.
08:22An actor has come and acted in two genres.
08:25So, it's not a big deal.
08:27It's a huge blessing.
08:29Thank you so much.
08:30Thank God.
08:31I'm so happy.
08:32May all your movies…
08:33You made my day.
08:34Thank you so much.
08:35May all your movies come close by and be enjoyed.
08:36If you're in a movie, we'll watch it.
08:37Please do.
08:38I think that's your…
08:39I'll see you soon.
08:40Okay, bye.
08:41Bye.
08:42Bye.
08:43Bye.
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08:54Bye.
08:55Bye.