'I cried like a child on the hospital bed': Asif Ali on enduring the challenges during the shoot of Rohith VS' new film 'TikiTaka'

Malayalam actor Asif Ali and filmmaker Rohith VS are known in the industry for their enduring working relationship regardless of the box office outcome of the two unconventional and quirky films they've done together — Adventures of Omanakuttan (Rohith's debut) and Iblis.

The writer-director, who recently directed Tovino Thomas in the raw and gritty action thriller Kala, is reuniting with the Rekhachithram and Kishkindha Kaandam actor for an action-packed mass entertainer titled TikiTaka, which commenced production in 2023 but had to be put on temporary hold as a result of Asif's injury in the middle of production. The actor opened up about the challenges he encountered during filming and shared a few updates on the film's status in an official statement.

Asif plays a character named John Denver, the nature of whom is currently disclosed, aside from his appearance which is all swag and grit. The actor said he was instantly drawn to the "fighter" inside the character and his "resilience, the way he endures through challenges, and how he always refuses to give up."

However, in the midst of preparing for the character, Asif did not expect to experience something similar "on a personal level."

 

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"TikiTaka' is a movie that demands a lot of sweat and blood. For me, it was a journey of several months to transform physically and master the art of fighting. I think I can confidently say that I gave it my all. When we started rolling in 2023, an unfortunate accident hit me during fight training, followed by bedridden days, several weeks in a wheelchair, and the worst part — losing all the progress I had made over a year to prepare for the character. Unlike John Denver, I cried like a child on the hospital bed."

But now that Asif has recovered, he assures us that the team is back on track.

"Eighteen months later, we're rolling in full swing again, and I've endured the process once more to meet what the movie demands — more sweat and blood — this time with a healing leg from meniscus and ligament tears," he added.

As for the release plan, the makers aim to get it out by the end of the year, as per the actor, who expressed his excitement at what he and Rohith are cooking. "This movie demands a lot of conviction and effort, not just from the actors but everyone involved. While Malayalam cinema is enjoying a golden wave, we're attempting to provide a never-before-experience — to create an unapologetic commercial cinema for the mass euphoria of the big screen, loaded with action."

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