‘My visa got cancelled; I used to stay in Nivin's room in Bengaluru’: Siju on his entry into cinema

Siju Wilson is currently basking in the success of Detective Ujjwalan, in which he shares screen space with Dhyan Sreenivasan. The film, an intriguing thriller, is considered a valued addition to the much-talked-about Weekend Cinematic Universe—a first of its kind in Malayalam cinema.

In a recent interview with Life Net TV, the promising actor shared insights into his journey into the film industry—making his debut in the 2010 film Malarvaadi Arts Club—and reflected on his days spent in the city of Bengaluru and his coincidental entry into the cine world.

When the anchor quizzed him on how he managed to enter Malayalam cinema, the actor explained his connections with the famed "Aluva gang"—a group that includes the enigmatic Nivin Pauly, Alphonse Puthren, and others.

"See, back then I was waiting for my visa to fly to the UK, having passed the IELTS exam. But destiny had a different plan for me. The visa got cancelled at the last minute, and I ended up in Nivin and his friends' room back in Bengaluru. They used to go to work, and I would stay back in the room, cooking and doing other chores," Siju recalled of his earlier days.

Much like the iconic Mohanlal–Priyadarshan–Sreenivasan trio or the newer Basil–Tovino combination, Malayalam cinema has, over time, produced many remarkable off-screen friendships that eventually translate into magic on the big screen—giving wings to the dreams of aspiring artists. Siju’s story is yet another inspiring addition to this long list.

Going further, Siju, who was initially reluctant to share his cinematic dreams with Nivin and the gang—possibly doubting his own abilities—eventually mustered the courage to express his aspirations.

"After revealing my ambitions, they motivated me. Alphonse, Nivin, and the rest convinced me that I could do it. And that’s how it all began. In fact, they were the kind of people who genuinely supported anyone with a real passion for cinema," said a grateful Siju Wilson.

The actor’s journey is yet another example of how true friendships can elevate one to great heights in life.