In conversation With the Young Talent Actor Ijaaz Ebrahim

• 17 Jul 2019
• Meera Tom Sebastian
• Features

Remember the young Tini Tom in An International Local Story who fight with Mafiya Sasi in the market, Meet Ijaaz Ebrahim, who has been winning hearts with his onscreen personas. This Bussiness management graduate and online promoter has almost 4 films in his pockets that will have him to play the lead  roles in Mollywood. We had a great time chatting with this modest youngster, who shared his stories and a sophisticated view of the world.

Your entry to the film industry was through An International Local Story. Was it by luck?

I made my debut through Harisree Ashokan’s An International local story after my arraval from Bangalore to Kochi in 2018. It was my passion for Acting and the earnest desire to start an online media for promoting malayalam cinema, that made make me to have a good friendship between Arjun Ashokan. one day i got a call and it was an Associate director who work Ashokan chettan and said me that Arjun shown your photos and suggested you to play a beautiful role, so please come cochin for the Audition. I start all the way from my home in Edappal to the audition centre in Kochi and applied the audition. and then i got to play my role called Young Krishnan.

How did your family react to your decision to act?

My family was very much supportive towards my craze on acting from my childhood school days itself. I also work as an online promoter for the malayalam films after my graduation from Bangalore University. it’s only because of my parent’s, friend's and girlfriend's support I am able to keep acting.

What was that emotion you had when you found yourself on the screen for the first time?

(giggles) I was wonderstruck and got lost for that moment. I was totally fascinated by the way of execution of the scenes. And moreover the whole crew of An international Local Story was so simple and light and that helped us make each moment of the shoot stress-free. Friendship between the whole crew was the key element that made our on-screen chemistry so wonderful.

Apart from the roles who have done till the date, what kind of characters would you prefer more?

I would like to do some roles that are more emotional. I like all the roles handled by Fahadh and wishes to do something like that. According to me, the character needs to have some depth and must not be the usual commercial filmy ones.

How do your friends and classmates evaluate and comment on your acting and roles?

Well, actually a majority in the college doesn’t know me as an actor. A few Malayalis know, but not the faculty and other friends. I didn’t publicise myself as an actor as that would affect my space of enjoyment. I love the  city, the crowd, the huzzle and buzzle, the local food joints  and moreover the fun being one in my gang. But the moment they realise the presence of an actor in their group, a distance would develop where I would be given a special priority.

 Did you have any fanboy moments while working in movies?

I am a hard core fan of Fahadh Faasil, but unfortunately, I haven’t got a chance to share the screen with him. Rather than a fanboy, I relish to define myself as a student. I am still a student and all these experienced actors I get to work with, are my teachers.

Tell us something about your upcoming projects.

I have 3 movies to be released in Malayalam and one in Tamil.  In Oru Typical Kamukan, I am handling one of the lead character. The movie is the debut directorial of Suhail Shaji. The other is a police based story directed by Vinod Guruvayoor titled Central Station, and the other movies will be announcing soon.

What would ijaaz be, if not an actor?

I have graduated in Bachelor of Business Management from Bangalore University. but I am not interested in anything other than Cinema, so if i was not successfull as an actor also i may work in the other side of cinema. but I love the most is Acting. and all over, now i am a small actor.

What do you like the most about Kochi?

I love everything in Kochi. Each and every element in her is beautiful except the “freaky style” and associated dress codes. I don’t agree with such mannerisms seen in Kochi. Keeping that aside, the city is just wonderful. I have all my friends and even my relatives in Kochi. So most of the times, it’s my rendezvous place of choice.

 

Quickies:

Favorite City

Kochi for sure! This is where I got my break after all.

Favourite director

Padmarajan 

Favourite writer

Lohithadas

Favourite place of travel

 Europe

Preferred Brands

Calvin Klein, Levis, Jack & Jones and Adidas.

Playlist favorites

Malayalam old melodie songs

Favourite movie ever

The scorpion king