Kochi: Actress Nikhila Vimal recently opened up about how difficult it can be for actors to ask directors, especially their friends, for roles, saying that it’s like a privilege of the movie if only a legend like Mammootty (“Mammooka”) does so.

In a candid conversation with WITcrew alongside actor Hakkim Shajahan during the promotion of their upcoming film Pennu Case, Nikhila shared that while top stars can directly approach filmmakers, others often find it awkward or inappropriate.

“It’s a privilege if Mammooka does it. Mammooka can do that,” Nikhila said with a smile.

“If it’s us, the director has to convince producers — it becomes a challenge.”

When asked whether she was disappointed about not being part of Arun Dominic’s Lokah, Nikhila revealed that Arun had once planned to cast her with actor Naslen in a different film that was meant to be developed in parallel to Lokah.

However, the light-hearted discussion soon turned humorous when the interviewers teased her, saying they initially thought she was about to reveal that she was the “original choice” for Lokah. Laughing it off, they joked that everyone who has made similar claims about the film “is now in the air” — referring to the backlash that followed such remarks online.

When asked if she ever spoke to Arun about being part of the next Lokah installment, Nikhila gave a puzzled look and simply said, “No.”

Her co-star Hakkim Shajahan jumped in to defend her, adding, “How can she ask when they’re such good friends? Imagine her sitting opposite Arun while he’s deep in discussion about Lokah. What’s she supposed to say — ‘Cast me as Lokah’?”

Nikhila agreed, saying, “There are so many actors who are friends with directors, but we can’t just go and ask for roles. Some even tell me they sat right in front of their director friends when they were explaining the script, but didn’t get the movie because they did not ask for it. What can we do?”

Hakkim added, “We do have that thought, ‘ask me once,’ but we can’t say it. What if they ask, ‘Which was your last film? Was it successful?”

Both actors are gearing up for the release of their upcoming Malayalam comedy-drama Pennu Case, directed by Febin Sidharth.