Rishikanth and Naslen: A collaboration that you probably didn’t know about
Tamil actor Rishikanth is the talk of the town at the moment. After delivering two successive hits, Modha Rathri and Dorothy, Rishikanth has become an internet sensation, with a growing fanbase that is already eager to watch what the actor will do next. The moniker the internet generation has bestowed on Rishikanth is ‘Thanjavur Jesus,’ a name denoting his hometown and his Jesus-like bearded, lean appearance.
Rishikanth on ‘Dorothy’, newfound fame and his journey from a Chennai mansion to a new home storyline 1 ‘Modha Rathri’ movie review: Rishikanth and Anishma are fantastic in this hilarious, poignant comedy-drama storyline 1 ‘Dorothy’ movie review: Karthik Subbaraj’s most audacious, disruptive film yet is a crowning achievement storyline 1 Meanwhile, Naslen has been one of the most in-demand Malayalam stars.
Over the years, the actor has gained a cult following, especially after the success of his rom-com, Premalu. And now, last week, Naslen made a stellar foray into Tamil cinema with Scene, the Suriya-starrer that has received rave reviews from audiences and critics. And it just so happens that the internet had to find a moniker for Naslen as well; social media now calls him the ‘Thrissur Timothee,’ drawing a parallel to the Hollywood star Timothee Chalamet.
‘Scene’ movie review: Suriya redefines mass in Jithu Madhavan’s ‘scene’-tillating dark comedy storyline 1 ‘Premalu’ movie review: Girish AD’s youthful drama is a winner with its fresh, humorous treatment of a run-of-the-mill story storyline 1 ‘Scene’ movie review: Suriya redefines mass in Jithu Madhavan’s ‘scene’-tillating dark comedy storyline 1 Rishikanth on ‘Dorothy’, newfound fame and his journey from a Chennai mansion to a new home Rishikanth on ‘Dorothy’, newfound fame and his journey from a Chennai mansion to a new home After 15 years of chasing film dreams, Rishikanth finds success with ‘Dorothy’ and ‘Modha Rathri’, making him Tamil cinema’s latest sensation.
How is he taking it all in? Rishikanth on ‘Dorothy’, newfound fame and his journey from a Chennai mansion to a new home storyline 1 Now, did you know that this ‘Thrissur Timothee’ and our very own ‘Thanjavur Jesus’ have a previous connection? Yes. Rishikanth and Naslen, the stars who are the talk of the town now, once starred together in a Malayalam movie. Director Sudhi Maddison’s 2023 Malayalam comedy, Neymar, featured Naslen in a lead role, while Rishikanth was seen in a supporting role.
‘Neymar’ Malayalam movie review: A comedy that calls for more depth storyline 1 The internet was quick to make the connection, with frames of the two together going viral on X. Beyond its pop-culture value, the moment also speaks of the long journey both Naslen and Rishikanth undertook to reach the stardom they now seem to enjoy. In an exclusive interview with The Hindu, Rishikanth, when asked about how he is processing all the love he has been receiving of late, said, “In my 15 years in cinema, I have felt lonely many times, but during these last two months, I have felt that I have a huge family [of audiences] out there.
They saw me as one of their own. Many of them told me my win felt personal to them. I see that as a blessing. I’ll be careful to not break that trust.” Rishikanth on ‘Dorothy’, newfound fame and his journey from a Chennai mansion to a new home storyline 1
