Malayalam star Tovino Thomas may set screens on fire with his performances, but in his heart, he’s still the grounded boy who used to act in short films for ₹500 and nervously hand over the money to his father, only to borrow it back in installments later.

In a candid conversation on Ranjini Haridas’ podcast The Green Room, the actor opened up on touching fame, family, fatherhood, frogs and even a mysterious French film that may or may not exist!

Asked if success had changed him, Tovino offered a thought-provoking response, “I feel I am a better human being now than before gaining success.”

But he’s come a long way since then, finding his footing again in humility, introspection, and good humour.

He credits his family for keeping him grounded, saying he can’t pretend to be a celebrity in front of them.

“I can't go home and demand, ‘Tea for the superstar!’” he laughed.

Weightless with loved ones, lazy without guilt

Tovino revealed that he feels “weightless” around his closest people, a rare kind of comfort that fame can’t offer. He also enjoys doing absolutely nothing when he’s home. “Just sitting idle, not even touching my phone,” he said, sounding like the dream version of ourselves.

From short films to French films? “Let it be,” says Tovino

The conversation took a hilarious turn when Ranjini asked him about an alleged French film titled For All That You Are, credited to him somewhere online.

Instead of correcting it, Tovino played along, “If it’s written like that somewhere, let it be. Don’t correct it.”

Then, in full jest, he declared, “Yes, I’ve done a French film!”

In truth, Tovino clarified that he had done only a few Malayalam short films back in the day, earning ₹500 a day, all of which he handed over to his father before asking for it back in pieces, often exceeding the original amount.

From short-tempered teen to soft-spoken dad

Talking about his personal evolution, Tovino said he used to be short-tempered like his father and, as a boy, thought that was “heroic.” But over time, he realised that “maturity lies in being calm and composed, like my mother.”

Now a father of two, he reflects on how parenting has softened him. Instead of harsh scolding, he now looks for better ways to make his children understand.

He recalled one particularly funny parenting moment, when his daughter Izza when she was around 3 yrs, hit her grandfather with a remote just because he gave her a stern look.

Not snakes, Tovino fears...

In a final quirky confession, Tovino admitted he isn’t scared of snakes, but frogs totally freak him out. He added that it's not beauty, but the look and its eyes scare him.

On the work front, Tovino Thomas was last seen in Anuraj Manohar’s political drama Narivetta. Up next, he’s gearing up for the release of Palli Chattambi, a period drama directed by Dijo Jose Antony.