Dressed in black and arriving in a helicopter with a burning beedi on his lips, the entry of the menacing villain Vetrivel Shanmugha Sundaram in Mammootty's 'Turbo' is truly unforgettable. The actor who played this character is none other than Kannada superstar Raj B. Shetty, who is also making his debut in Malayalam with 'Turbo'.

Today, Kannada cinema is dominated by three Shettys: Rakshit, Raj, and Rishabh. Their films are also well-received in Kerala. Rishabh Shetty's Kirik Party and Kantara, Rakshit Shetty's Ulidavaru Kandantee and 777 Charlie, and Raj B Shetty's Ondu Motteya Kathe and Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana were all greeted with applause by Malayali audiences.

Following the release of 'Turbo,' Raj B Shetty opened up about working with Mammootty and making his debut in the Malayalam industry. 

How did you become a part of 'Turbo'?

When the Kannada film 'Toby,' in which I acted, was released in Malayalam, I came to Kerala for its promotion. That's when director Vysakh approached me. They didn't want a run-of-the-mill villain destined to be defeated by the hero. The director managed to share the entire story in just an hour and a half, and I was captivated enough to agree to the project right away. Some roles indeed come unexpectedly and don't require much thinking. With the film being produced by Mammootty Kompany, there couldn't have been a better entry into Malayalam cinema.

Can you describe Vetrivel Shanmugha Sundaram?

Midhun Manuel Thomas (script writer) and Vysakh meticulously explained who Vetrivel Shanmugha Sundaram is and how he should walk, sit, and behave. His attire and performance in each scene were meticulously planned. After the first couple of days, I realized that Vetrivel has a distinct style of his own. He disembarks from the helicopter and smokes the beedi, displaying no fear of law or society. Working with a talented team greatly benefited the character. All queries were addressed appropriately. It's gratifying to see the film being embraced, with audiences discussing the villain's performance.

Experience working with Mammootty in an action-packed movie?

The biggest highlight undoubtedly was the showdown with Mammookka. The climax scene was executed with immense enthusiasm, and the shooting lasted for a span of fifteen days. The stunt choreography in Malayalam cinema is truly exceptional. Mammookka's eagerness to perform all the stunt scenes himself was remarkable. He paid meticulous attention to even the minute details of his co-stars' performances. I remember a particular scene where I fell down, and Mammookka repeatedly checked in to see if there were any difficulties in performing such a risky stunt. Just before the shooting, he personally called me to ensure I was comfortable with the scene, reassuring me that no one was forcing me to do anything I wasn't comfortable with. 

My character speaks a blend of Malayalam and Tamil, which was challenging for me. I am not fluent in Tamil, and though I know a bit of Malayalam, I hesitated to use it in front of Mammookka, knowing his proficiency in the language from his experiences in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kasaragod, etc. However, he reassured me that if I had any doubts, I could ask for clarification and take time to understand. His support was immensely encouraging. I was involved in the Turbo movie for 25 days, with filming locations in Kochi, Chennai, and Coimbatore.