Mathew Thomas is one of the most sought-after young actors in Malayalam cinema. He made his debut in the critically acclaimed Kumbalangi Nights, directed by Madhu C. Narayanan and released in 2019. He went on to play several endearing roles in Malayalam films, including Jaison in the teenage film Thanneer Mathan Dinangal (2019). His latest film, Nellikkampoyil Night Riders, has hit theatres this week.

During a promotional event for his latest film, the young actor shared his experience of making his Tamil film debut, playing Vijay’s son in Leo, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Trisha, who played the leading lady, took on the role of Siddhu’s (played by Mathew) mother in the blockbuster film released in 2023.

Recalling the shoot days, Mathew said:

“Trisha ma’am, when I first met her on the set of Leo, told me she wasn’t actually keen on having a son my age in the film.”

In a funny twist, the young actor responded to the superstar by saying that even he didn’t like playing the ‘son’. Instead, he told Trisha that he “thought it was the role of a stepson.”

In fact, it was the first instance of Trisha playing the mother of a late teenager on the big screen.

Talking further about the movie, Mathew recalled how he had learned javelin for the film:

“I trained in javelin for that film. At one point, I was worried—what if I accidentally threw it at Vijay sir? But in that particular scene, it’s actually Vijay’s character who tells me to throw the javelin no matter who walks through the door. Later, he jokingly says, ‘You knew it was me, yet you still threw it?’ I think many in the audience missed that little detail.”

These heartwarming anecdotes reflect the rapport the young Malayalam star shares with top-tier actors of South Indian cinema, marking a moment of pride for Malayalam cinema. They are a testament to Mathew’s potential and the promising characters that lie ahead in his career. (With inputs from Agencies)