Harishankar Narayanan lands 'Kattalan' villain role thanks to a selfie
Synopsis
Harishankar Narayanan was rejected for 'Kattalan' — then a selfie with the casting director changed everything. The producer spotted the photo on social media, recognised Harishankar as the face he wanted for villain Nelson, and the rest is Malayalam cinema history. It is a casting tale that no audition room could have scripted.
Key Takeaways
Harishankar Narayanan makes his Malayalam cinema debut as villain Nelson in 'Kattalan' .
He was initially rejected by casting director Abu Valayamkulam before a post-meeting selfie led producer Shareef Muhammed to cast him.
Harishankar previously worked as a sports analyst with IPL franchise Mumbai Indians and is known for the web series 'Label' (2023) . 'Kattalan' is directed by Paul George and produced by Cube Entertainments , the banner behind blockbuster 'Marco' .
The film stars Antony Varghese and Rajisha Vijayan in the lead roles, with music by Ajaneesh Loknath .
Actor Harishankar Narayanan, a former sports analyst turned performer, has revealed the unlikely story behind how he secured his Malayalam cinema debut in the action thriller 'Kattalan' — a casually clicked selfie that caught the producer's eye at just the right moment.
The Selfie That Changed Everything
Harishankar, who previously worked as a sports analyst with the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians, plays one of the three principal villains in the Antony Varghese-starrer. His character, Nelson, has since drawn widespread appreciation from audiences and critics alike.
Recounting the chain of events, Harishankar said, 'How I landed this role is interesting. The casting director of the film saw my web series Label and sent me a message on Instagram informing me that he had referred my name to the makers of Kattalan for the role. I was excited and anxious at the same time as this film marks my Malayalam debut.'
Rejected, Then Recalled
The actor travelled to Kerala to meet casting director Abu Valayamkulam in person, only to be told he had not been selected. Rather than leaving empty-handed, the two decided to click a selfie together as a memento of the meeting.
'The casting director kept this picture on his profile and the film's producer happened to see it and said that it was me they were looking to cast as Nelson and that is how I got this role,' Harishankar explained. It is a casting story that underscores how serendipity can outpace formal audition processes in the film industry.
Production House Welcome and Background
Production house Cube Entertainments had publicly welcomed Harishankar when he was confirmed for the role, describing him as 'a versatile actor and Content Creator-cum-Sports Analyst' known for the Hotstar web series 'Label' (2023), the film 'Retro' (2025), and the forthcoming 'Sirai' (2026).
Kattalan is produced by Shareef Muhammed of Cube Entertainments, the banner behind the blockbuster 'Marco'. The high-octane pan-Indian action thriller is directed by Paul George, with the story penned by Paul George, Joby Varghese, and Jero Jacob.
Cast and Crew
Actors Antony Varghese (Pepe) and Rajisha Vijayan lead the film. Music is composed by Ajaneesh Loknath, known for his work on 'Kantara 2', while choreography is by Sharief. Costumes are designed by Dhanya Balakrishnan, cinematography by Renadive, and editing by Shameer Muhammed.
With his debut performance already drawing positive notices, Harishankar Narayanan's journey from IPL analyst to Malayalam villain is one that the industry — and his fans — will be watching closely going forward.
Point of View
Informal social media presence can now outweigh formal audition outcomes — a structural shift worth noting. Cube Entertainments' decision to publicly announce his casting via social media also signals how production houses are increasingly using digital platforms as both a casting tool and a marketing instrument. For a banner fresh off the 'Marco' blockbuster, the choice of a Tamil sports-analyst-turned-actor for a key Malayalam villain role is a deliberate pan-Indian casting signal, not an accident of a selfie alone.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Harishankar Narayanan get the role in 'Kattalan'?
Harishankar was initially rejected after meeting casting director Abu Valayamkulam in Kerala. The two took a selfie before he left, which the casting director posted on his profile. Producer Shareef Muhammed saw the photo and identified Harishankar as the right fit for the villain role Nelson, leading to his casting.
Who is Harishankar Narayanan?
Harishankar Narayanan is an actor and content creator who previously worked as a sports analyst with IPL franchise Mumbai Indians. He is known for the Hotstar web series 'Label' (2023) and the film 'Retro' (2025), and has an upcoming film 'Sirai' (2026).
What is 'Kattalan' about and who made it?
'Kattalan' is a high-octane pan-Indian action thriller directed by Paul George and produced by Shareef Muhammed of Cube Entertainments, the banner behind the blockbuster 'Marco'. The story was written by Paul George, Joby Varghese, and Jero Jacob.
Who are the lead actors in 'Kattalan'?
The film stars Antony Varghese, known as Pepe, and Rajisha Vijayan in the lead roles. Harishankar Narayanan plays one of three main villains, a character named Nelson.
Who composed the music for 'Kattalan'?
Music for 'Kattalan' is composed by Ajaneesh Loknath, who is also known for his work on 'Kantara 2'. Choreography is by Sharief, with cinematography by Renadive and editing by Shameer Muhammed.
