I want to explore roles with negative shades: ‘Moonwalk’ star Anunath

‘Moonwalk’, the recent film directed by debutant Vinod A.K., has been winning hearts with its nostalgic yet fresh portrayal of the late ’80s and early ’90s dance culture. The film pays tribute to Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, whose iconic moonwalk inspired a generation. Among the cast is Anunath from Kozhikode, who plays Jake and shares his experience of being part of this unique project.

For Anunath, ‘Moonwalk’ marks his second film, following a brief appearance in ‘Oru Kadathu Nadan Kadha’. He landed the role through a casting call specifically looking for actors with curly hair. “The audition process had three rounds, held at director Vinod’s office in Ernakulam,” he says. “They asked if I could dance, and after clearing the final round, we went through three months of training, including dance and language sessions.”

Creating the authentic feel of the late ’80s and early ’90s wasn’t easy, but the team made it happen. “The costume department did a fantastic job transporting us back in time,” Anunath says. “Director Vinod and scriptwriter Sunil Gopalakrishnan helped us understand the lifestyle back then — no cell phones, people hanging out more in person. Their guidance made it easier to live in that era on screen.”

Dance was central to the film, with choreography by Sreejith P pushing everyone’s limits. While some cast members like Prem Shankar and Manoj Moses were trained dancers, Anunath wasn’t. “It was tough for me at first to learn the moves,” he admits, “but with their support and Sreejith’s help, I managed. Even the trained dancers had to adapt because the style was different from modern dance.”

Working with a young cast was a positive experience. “We all bonded well, especially since we stayed together during training,” Anunath says. “That friendship shows in the film, and we continue to support each other even after the shoot.”

Michael Jackson’s influence was clear in the dance sequences. “Siby had the most MJ numbers and was already familiar with them,” Anunath explains. “The rest of us had to learn MJ’s moves, including the moonwalk, with a lot of help from Sreejith.”

Director Vinod A.K. made the set a comfortable space. “He was patient and encouraging,” Anunath recalls. “He gave us freedom to express ourselves and made sure we weren’t rushed. It was a good learning experience to work closely with him.”

Anunath also shares some behind-the-scenes memories. “We practised near the beach, which was fun. There were a few tense moments too, like a scuffle during shooting, but overall it was a great journey.”

On audience response, Anunath says they only got the full story late in the shoot. “At first, we thought the film was mostly about the dance competition, but after watching the final version, I realised it had deeper themes like politics woven in. The feedback has been mostly positive, but since we’re newcomers, the turnout was a bit limited. Still, the reviews encourage us a lot.”

Looking forward, Anunath is open to new opportunities. “I have a few talks going on, but nothing confirmed,” he says. “I’m interested in exploring different roles, especially those with some complexity or a negative shade. I hope ‘Moonwalk’ opens up more doors.”
With ‘Moonwalk’ marking an important step in his career, Anunath is ready for whatever comes next, bringing his passion for acting and dance to new stories.