It would be hardpressed to find a Tamil household which doesn’t know Chetan. After his famous debut in small screen as Karuppu in the cult famous Marma Desam TV serial, Chetan has carved a small niche for himself in the hearts of soap opera watchers.
The secret to his popularity maybe in the roles he chooses which are never cliched. He has continued this trend after stepping up to the silver screen too. “I wish to remain an actor who is not stereotyped to a particular character,” says Chetan. He says he prefers acting in humorous roles than serious ones.
Entering films
Although Chetan debuted in the 2017 superhit Dhanush film Polladhavan, his first signing was the Jayam Ravi starrer Dhaam Dhoom directed by the late filmmaker-cinematographer Jeeva. Actor Chetan shares it all saying, “When I was busily engaged with back to back shooting in many TV serials, it was late filmmaker-cinematographer Jeeva sir who gave me an opportunity to act in movies through Dhaam Dhoom. During the shoot, he would often tell me that my timing sense in dialogues and expressions give a clear impression that humorous roles will work out a lot for me.”
Marma Desam effect
It was at this point that Chetan wanted to shift to playing lighter characters. Chetan says, “Personally, I am a person with a sense of humor, but none would believe it even if I confess. Jeeva revealed that the reason was the impact that Marma Desam serial had created. Such was the effect that it eventually projected me as a serious person for years.”
Tamizh Padam & humour
‘The filmmaker who recognized the sense of humour in me was director CS Amudhan, who cast me in Tamizh Padam 2,’ says Chetan. Now, Chetan has signed up for Amudhan’s yet to release Rendavadhu Padam as well.
Chetan says, “I want to perform all kinds of roles including positive, negative and comedy. I don’t want to get confined to a particular role or shade. In this aspect, Nasser sir happens to be a huge inspiration as he is capable of showcasing his versatility in any roles he performs and I want to follow his footprints.”
“One of the films that made me proud as an actor was Revelations in 2016 that was screened in many festivals across Mumbai, Kolkata, and Pune, and won me huge praises,” he adds.
Life, wife & future
Speaking about his wife Devadarshini who is also a famous actor, and her daughter who made her acting debut, Chethan proudly says, “My wife has already acted continuously in many Tamil and Telugu movies and my daughter had recently made her debut through ‘96’. As she is pursuing her 10th Std, she has to focus more on her studies and we have decided not to add up this acting career on her now.”
“We are leading a life of cinema is family and family is cinema,” adds Chetan laughing. He is currently working on 5 projects that includes sharing screen space with Bharathiraja and Sasikumar in Kennedy Club, directed by Susienthiran and couple of films produced by CV Kumar.