_*”Every Praise That Has Come My Way Through Habeebi Rightfully Belongs to Director Meera Kathiravan Sir” - Actor Esha*_
Following the remarkable success of Habeebi, actor Eesa has signed a couple of promising new projects, marking an exciting new chapter in his burgeoning cinematic journey. Reflecting on the film's overwhelming reception and the opportunities that have followed, the actor opens up about his journey into cinema and the experiences that have shaped him.
Tamil cinema continues to welcome a new generation of aspiring actors every year. However, only a select few are fortunate enough to begin their careers with a compelling story, a character that offers ample scope for performance, and a filmmaker capable of bringing out their true potential. Esha considers himself fortunate to have found all three in his debut film, Habeebi, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Meera Kathiravan
Hailing from Madurai, Esha is currently pursuing his law degree at Vels University, Chennai. Alongside his academic journey, he has distinguished himself as a national-level athlete, winning several medals and accolades in athletics competitions. The discipline, perseverance, and unwavering commitment that shaped his sporting career have now become the very foundation of his journey in cinema.
Esha embarked on his journey in the industry as an Assistant Director in the film Uyir Tamizhukku, directed by producer-filmmaker Adam Bava and starring actor Ameer. The experience offered him valuable exposure to the craft of filmmaking, laying a strong foundation for his aspirations in the industry.
“During this phase, I tried inheriting the skills and learn the art of extracting the best performances of artistes by directors. This helped me to gain some acting nuances indeed,” says actor Esha.
Through director Aslam, Esha learnt that filmmaker Meera Kathiravan was conducting auditions for the lead role in Habeebi. He attended the audition with hope and determination, but after months of silence with no updates, he was uncertain about the outcome. It was only six months later, when he received a call for rehearsals, that he discovered he had been chosen as the film's protagonist, marking a life-changing moment in his cinematic journey.
“Right from Day 1, I wanted to make sure that the director shouldn’t lose his hope he had banked on me, and I went to shooting spot with best preparations,” adds Esha. Furthermore, he claims that he went through several auditions and acting workshops. He wanted to make sure of not brimming up with a ‘Hero’ material attitude, but instead, prove to be a content-driven performer.
“Sincerely, I wanted to approach my character with realistic approach, and am glad to see that audience have noticed and appreciated it.”
In Habeebi, Esha portrays a character that traverses three distinct phases of life, each demanding a completely different emotional and physical transformation. Demonstrating remarkable dedication to the role, he underwent multiple body transformations, first shedding considerable weight, then gaining nearly 20Kgs, before reducing it once again to authentically reflect the character's evolving journey across different timelines.
“For a character to look authentic, an actor must mould and shape towards it. I wholeheartedly embraced the process,” says Esha.
Recalling his experience on the sets of Habeebi, Esha says that sharing screen space with veteran filmmaker-actor Kasthuri Raja and actress Malavika Manoj played a significant role in shaping his performance. Their constant encouragement, support, and collaborative spirit helped him perform with greater confidence and natural ease before the camera.
Esha's performance in Habeebi has also earned widespread appreciation from several leading names in the Tamil film industry. After watching the film's special previews, acclaimed filmmakers including Mari Selvaraj, Sudha Kongara, Balaji Sakthivel, Ameer, Cheran, Sasikumar, Vetrimaaran, Mysskin, Seenu Ramasamy, K. Bhagyaraj, Magizh Thirumeni, Suseenthiran, Nassar, P.C. Sreeram, Pandiraj, Aslam, Pa. Ranjith, Ram, V.Z. Durai, Thangar Bachan, Suresh Kamatchi, and many other prominent personalities lauded his natural performance, emotional depth, and the remarkable dedication he invested in bringing the character to life.
Speaking about the challenging experience of showcasing two different looks, body language and dialogue modulations, Esha says, “ It’s great to hear many complement me stating that it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any first timer. I feel lucky and blessed for having got this opportunity.”
Reflecting on the trust placed in him by director Meera Kathiravan, Esha says, "Entrusting such a layered and demanding character to a newcomer like me required immense faith, and it was director Meera Kathiravan who saw the potential in me and brought it to the forefront. Whatever appreciation and success I have received for Habeebi rightfully belongs to him. Moving forward, my greatest responsibility is to honour the confidence he reposed in me through every film I choose to be a part of.”
Following the success of Habeebi, Esha has now signed two new films as the lead actor. Speaking about his upcoming projects, he reveals that both films will blend commercial entertainment with socially relevant themes, adding that official announcements regarding the projects will be made soon.
Sharing his thoughts on the current landscape of Tamil cinema, Esha says, "Today, many well-made films produced on modest budgets often struggle to receive the recognition and support they deserve before their release. More often than not, their quality is acknowledged only after they reach audiences. If meaningful films receive stronger encouragement during their initial stages, Tamil cinema will undoubtedly witness many more remarkable stories finding their way to the big screen.”
Concluding the conversation on a hopeful note, Esha says, "From my school and college days, athletics has always been an integral part of my life, and I have been fortunate to win several medals through the sport. Although cinema now occupies most of my time, I wish to continue being recognised not just as an actor, but also as a sportsperson. My only aspiration is to keep choosing meaningful stories, memorable characters, and good cinema. That is the path I want my journey to follow."
