Page 15 - Masala Lite Issue 167 November 2024

You’ve mentioned that your Indian

heritage and Thai upbringing allow you face and background, and to help Thai films

to bring to the table a unique approach. gain recognition that way. Thai films are

Do you feel that duality influences your not poorly made; they can be amazing. If I

role in this film, especially in terms of can be a vessel to help our industry reach
character portrayal? that international recognition, I would
absolutely love that.
Firstly, there are so many similarities
between Thai and Indian culture. Being an What were some of the challenges you
Indian who grew up in Thailand, I could faced as a young, up-and-coming actor in

resonate so well with my Thai friends this film, and how did those challenges
because what our parents taught us, and help you grow professionally?
our values, were so similar – for example, Being an actor is not easy; the pressure is
respecting your elders and the importance immense! A lot of people say that they want
of family. I don’t consider myself fully Indian to be an actor, but they don’t know what
or fully Thai; I’m both at the same time. I’ve the job requires, which is extreme discipline.
absorbed both cultures, and I respect both Moreover, you’re not just an actor on set,
so much, and those values have shaped who you’re also an actor off set. Most people

I am as a person. And this is something that have a 9 to 5 – you go to the office, you do

I can bring to my character in the film, as your work, and then you go home. For me, I
his background is similar. He’s Thai-Indian always have to bring the same energy to set
and he’s from both cultures. Being an Indian every single day. Being an actor is also being
born in Thailand has been such a great a man of the people. As much as you’re
opportunity for me because it allowed me working hard on set, you have to work as
to be curious, allowed me to grow up with hard when you’re outside, with the public.
both cultures and values, and that’s what
allowed me to adapt to this film completely. There’s a lot pressure as the new kid coming

in. It’s hard because there’s a set time where
When it comes to your acting approach, you have to finish each shoot, and if you go

do you find yourself drawn to method over time, the producer has to pay extra

acting, or do you prefer another style? money. You have to take any setbacks as
How do you prepare yourself to take on life learnings, and they grew me as a person.
a role, particularly one in a horror film? It’s a never-ending learning process, and as

This character is very artistic and a huge an actor, you always learn something new.
introvert; he mostly keeps to himself. So to I hope I never stop learning.
get into his mind, I just locked myself in a Can you give us an idea of what the movie
room and didn’t come out at all. [Laughs] is about? What can audiences expect in
To be honest, this character is the opposite terms of story and themes?
of who I am. I’m an extrovert and very energetic. On boundaries, and Thailand especially is one of the number
the other hand, ‘Him’ spends most of his day in his one countries for LGBTQIA+ acceptance, especially in It’s about karma, or กรรม in Thai. What you did in your

own head. As you approach the climax of the film, all this part of the world, and we in the studio are so proud past life, you’ll face in this life, and it’s a horror film

his emotions are building up inside of him, and all of a of that, and we want to showcase it. based on that. What you may do now won’t just affect
sudden he explodes. Personally, I’m the kind of person you, but your next life will have to deal with your karma
who would just say right away if something bothered Your TikTok content blends humour, culture, and too. It’s got such a beautiful story; yes, it’s scary, but it’s

me. But Him, he’s keeping it inside, until mai whai laew! identity. How did those creative elements influence also got a great storyline.
or prepare you for your acting career?
I found his character so interesting, and when I got into The fire in me to become an actor has always been there, Without giving away any spoilers, what was your

his head, I found myself becoming Him for a while. It’s but what I was able to do on TikTok was to give my talent favourite scene to shoot in the film? Was there a
not quite method acting, but to make audiences believe an outlet. It allowed other people, and even myself, to moment that really stood out for you as an actor?

that a character is real, I think you have to understand see that I can act, and that I had potential – even if it was There’s a scene from the film where we had to find out
them and to some respect, be them. It stuck with me just acting as my mum for humorous content [Laughs]. whether or not there was a ghost chasing us. So we play
for a little under a month – but then I had to let it go, People in my comments used to ask, “Shivam, when will a game called Running the Four Pillars – you’ve got to

which is also one thing you’ve got to know how to do you be in a film or lakorn?” I would tell them, “Let’s see watch it; it’s crazy! When we were filming, we had to ‘call’

as an actor. I’m not the greatest actor – I’m hoping to if there’s space for me in this industry, especially with the ghost to come play the game with us. But we were
improve and maybe get there some day – but at the this face that’s not typically Thai!” so in character that I think we actually did call a ghost.
end of the day, my role is to entertain people. I don’t We heard the actual bells of the phi nang ram – a Thai
want to take myself so seriously that I forget that it’s Tell them that they better show up to the movie’s dancer ghost – following us. A lot of these creepy things
for the audience. premier! How do you think they’ll react to seeing happened during the shoot. I only heard a few weird

you on the big screen, in a much darker and different noises, but a few people saw some unexplained things!
One way that I had to prepare was improving my Thai kind of role?
drastically. The script was 300 pages in Thai. My Thai You’d also asked about method acting – there’s one scene

language skills at that time, including reading and Oh, they’re waiting, for sure! When I released the teaser, in the film that was definitely all about method acting.
writing, were not very strong. For the whole two-month someone commented, “I knew it!” [Laughs] I’m really You’ll know it when you see it, and it’ll prove why I so

process, I started training myself rigorously in Thai. excited for them to see me in a different light – most badly want to be an actor.
Another challenge was that I’d never been to acting people see me as a happy, humorous guy, and so they’ll Now that you’ve starred in a horror film, what are

school. There were a few acting workshops we did, but get to see another side of me, or rather of Him. I hope they
can see the potential I have and support me throughout. your future aspirations in the fi lm industry? Any
mostly the guidance I got was on set from my director plans to explore different genres or create your own

and his assistant director, who guided me through it all. I firmly believe that it’s because of the blessings from content?
Being on TikTok and being in a film are two completely my fans and from above that I’ve gotten this once-in-

different beasts! I learned through the process, which a-lifetime opportunity. I feel like the spokesman for my I didn’t choose the film; the film chose me. But I hope

was very tough, but amazing. community, and I need to set an example, and show this proves that I’m willing to go for any genre. Someone
them that we can take it to the next level. asked me, “do you want to be a superstar, or do you
The film includes LGBTQIA+ themes, which is not want to be an actor?” Basically, am I willing to take on

often seen in mainstream Thai horror. How do you feel Thailand’s movie industry is on the rise, with the different roles or do I just want to be a hero every time?

about being part of a project that pushes boundaries government investing in it as a form of soft power, For me, I’m so into this craft, that I do want to try every
in that way? and with Thai horror films gaining international role. The word ‘superstar’ shouldn’t be coming from your

I’m really excited for this aspect of our project – I have attention. What excites you most about working in own mouth – it should be something that your audience
so much respect for the LGBTQIA+ community. When this evolving space? decides after they’ve decided that you deserve that role.

it comes to our film, I feel that there hasn’t been, or it’s I feel like it was the perfect timing when we started

very rare, for a Thai film to showcase a lesbian love story this – the Thai movie industry was starting to boom, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow actors,
in this way. But don’t get me wrong, this is not the main and Thai horror movies were starting to gain a lot of Earth Saharat Panyasart, Fern Nutthiya Woha, Prym
theme of the film. It’s primarily a horror movie, and it international recognition. And horror as a genre has Anongrak Sukkthongwong, Copter Sirachai Sangsiri,

just so happens that the main couple in it consists of become big in both Thailand and India these last couple and Moo Therapist Suvandee; and my Producers and
two women. of years. I sincerely believe that I’m at the right time Directors, Nonglek Kamonnutthawalin Kamonin, Krit
and the right place now, and it’s the perfect timing for Kitidech Roemsakun, and Ton Siripon. I am so grateful
This love story, and showing all aspects of it, is I think to all of them for their support through this incredible
one of the most amazing things that we’re doing. I know someone who looks a little more international, more journey, without which I wouldn’t be here today.

that a lot of people in the community might see this and Indian, to be in a Thai film. People can see that while

ask, “What is this?!” It may shock the aunties and uncles this is a Thai film, there’s a Thai actor who has an Indian
a little, but I think it’s important that they understand look, and they’ll realise that Thais are more diverse than Malee (2024) will be out on 14 November in SF

that our generation has a different mindset now, and they think. I’d love it if I had the opportunity to reach Cinemas and Major Cineplexes nationwide, and
we’re a lot more accepting than before. We’re pushing an international audience because of my international in select cinemas worldwide, so book your tickets
now to see Shivam on the big screen!