In a candid conversation with News18, Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas discussed the challenges of being an outsider in the South Indian film industry, which is often dominated by actors from film families. Tovino, who has carved a successful career without any film legacy, shared his insights on how the industry works for both insiders and outsiders.
“So, from my industry, from my experience, there are two sides to it,” Tovino explained. “When you are from a family with a legacy in films, your first opportunity might come more easily. But your second, third, and overall career success depend on how good you are. For outsiders, getting that first film is very hard, but once you prove yourself, it’s all about your talent and dedication. So, sure, they might get a head start, but after that, it’s a level playing field. It’s all about how good you are.”
Tovino also highlighted the pressure faced by actors from film families: “If an actor’s son becomes an actor, people expect him to be as good as his father from the get-go. They judge him based on his father’s best performances, even though it took his father years to reach that level. Imagine that pressure. For me, my father is a lawyer. Even if I give a flop movie, it doesn’t affect him. But if my father were an actor, the expectation would be, ‘You were supposed to make me proud.’ So, there are two sides to it.”
Tovino stressed that many star kids succeed not because of their family background but due to their hard work: “All the actors with head starts—they are my friends. They’re in the industry not just because of their family names. Yes, maybe their first break came easier, but beyond that, it’s all about talent and effort. After your first or second film, the name tag won’t help. It’s about how good you are and how hard you work.”
His Ajayante Randam Moshanam co-star Krithi Shetty echoed his sentiments, saying, “We’ve seen plenty of examples of both scenarios. Everyone has their share of good and bad experiences, whether they come from a film family or not. Each person faces their own set of challenges.”
Tovino and Krithi are set to bring their performances to life in the upcoming fantasy drama Ajayante Randam Moshanam, which releases on September 12.
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