“Ratchasan” Vishnu Vishal turns 41 today

Vishal Kudawla is better known by his screen name, Vishnu Vishal.

After completing his MA degree, he was showing great promise as a cricket player but a serious injury brought a halt to his plans.

When he landed his first acting job in Suseendiran’s sports drama Vennilaa Kabadi Kuzhu, he spent months getting himself in shape and learning the finer points of Kabadi. His efforts paid off, as the film did well and earned him a nomination for Best Debut Actor.

Although Vishnu Vishal had mixed success with his subsequent roles in Bale Pandia, Drohi and Kullanari Koottam, he showed the same dedication in physically preparing for these roles.

After a year of inactivity, he returned with two hit films – Mundasupatti and Jeeva.

He then starred in the fantasy comedy Indru Netru Naallai  before turning producer through Velainu Vanthuta Velaikaran and this was a major success at the box-office.

After average runs with Maaveeran Kittu, Idam Porul Yaeval and Kathanayagan, he played the lead in the cult classic Ratchasan – still regarded as one of the best Indian thrillers in the new millenium.

He had an average run again with Prabhu Solomon’s Kaadan.

His critically acclaimed film FIR unfortunately was banned in Malaysia, Kuwait and Qatar as the film was seen to be branding Muslims as terrorists.

He found increased fame when he played the lead role in Rajinikanth’s Lal Salaam, but the critics were not kind to him or the film.

Vishnu Vishal is one of the producers of the recently released Oho Enthan Baby. He currently has three films awaiting release –Irandu Vaanam, Mohandas and Aaryan.

Vishnu Vishal turns 41 today.