Is Sagar really this cruel? 'Pani' actor opens up about his dark villainous role

Is Sagar really this cruel? This is the question many viewers have been asking after watching 'Pani', the debut directorial venture of actor Joju George. The film features standout performances by Sagar Surya and Junaiz VP, who both play villainous roles. Sagar, who made his acting debut through the popular television series 'Thatteem Mutteem', had already shown considerable growth by the time he appeared in Prithviraj’s 'Kuruthi'. However, his portrayal of Don Sebastian in 'Pani' marks a clear evolution in his acting abilities, reflecting his growth as an actor.

Viewers have commented that they haven’t seen a villain this despised in recent films. Sagar’s portrayal of Don Sebastian is chilling, with his slight smile and intense presence bringing the audience to the very edge of fear. His terrifying performance has certainly left a lasting impression, and in an interview with Manorama Online, Sagar opens up about the process of embodying such a menacing character.

Sagar recalls the initial doubts he and his co-actor Junaiz VP had when Joju George first approached them with the script. 'When Joju Chettan called us and narrated the story, we too had doubts. Could we pull off such a huge character? Our characters are the backbone of 'Pani'. If we didn’t perform well, the film would fall apart', Sagar admits. But Joju was confident in their abilities, assuring them that they were the right fit for the roles.

To help them prepare, Joju Chettan organized a one-month training camp three months before shooting began. 'Both Junaiz and I found the training to be incredibly helpful in getting into character," says Sagar. In addition to that, Joju provided special daily training to ensure they were fully prepared. 'Pani' was primarily shot in Thrissur, with the filming process taking around 90 days.

When Sagar finally saw the finished film, even he was shocked by his own performance. 'When we saw the movie, even we were shocked. After watching my character, I felt disgusted with myself. I actually wondered, ‘Is this really me?’' Sagar reflects on his transformation. His friends, too, were surprised by the depth of his portrayal. 'My friends kept calling me, asking how I managed to do this. They said, ‘I’ve never seen Sagar like this before; you’re such a gentle guy, how did you pull this off?’' Sagar laughs, acknowledging the contrast between his real-life persona and his on-screen character.
Thanks to the ample time they had to dive into their roles, Sagar and Junaiz were able to fully embrace their characters in 'Pani'. 'We had enough time to understand and get into our characters in 'Pani'. Joju Chettan provided everything we needed, and we never faced any issues', Sagar added.