Aim For The Stars!

He was barely twelve when he bagged his debut role in a Bollywood film and it was nothing short of a ‘dream come true’.

- Riya Sonny Datson

He was so excited that he couldn’t contain himself. He broke the news to all his friends and teachers, adding that he was going to be away for a while. But as the time drew near, the director called to say that there were issues with the production team and that the shoot had to be canceled. The little boy was heart-broken, he couldn’t bear to face his friends. He became very depressed and Cinema became a distant dream that seemed almost impossible. But destiny had another plan. After his studies, just as he joined work, he got a call from a Mollywood crew enquiring if he would be willing to audition for the junior role of Dulquer Salman. He thought it was a prank at first but later when he realized it was a genuine call, he didn’t think further. He bagged the role and the movie turned to be a huge success. Since then, there’s been no turning back for this young actor who has been flying high! Ritz has a candid chat with the young, talented and free-spirited Shalu Rahim, who has two new releases lined up, Luca and Jallianwala Bagh!

How did it feel watching your very first movie, Kammattipaadam on screen?

I still remember watching the movie at the theatre. As I didn’t get a seat, I sat on the aisle and watched the entire film. I had goosebumps right through the film - from the very first minute till the end when they played the credits. After my childhood disappointment, I had decided not to tell anyone about the shoot this time. I told my mom only after the shoot was over. I told my family and friends that mine was just a fleeting ‘two-minute’ role. So when they saw me on screen for a good half hour, they were amazed and they congratulated me. It was awesome to finally have my long lost dream come true.

After your debut, your next break. ‘Maradona’ happened in 2018, what was the reason for the two-year gap?