If you’ve watched any Nelson Dilipkumar film, even before Jailer 2, you know that he likes to fill his films with quirky characters who outdo one another when it comes to being oddballs. So, in a film practically designed to celebrate Rajinikanth ’s 50-year legacy, it’s hard for a character to stand out, no matter how funny they are. But Namo Narayana managed to do that with his role. At one point in the film, you even worry if his character, Moorthi, will make it.
Early on in Jailer 2 , Rajinikanth’s Tiger Muthuvel Pandian is sent to work for Moorthi anna (elder brother) as a form of punishment. So, it’s no wonder that since Jailer 2’s release, Moorthi has become a fan-favourite with memes featuring his dialogues and characters doing the rounds. But did you know that the man playing the character has been in the film industry for 17 years, having quit a lucrative career in software to pursue acting?
Because muthu said so, Moorthi could easily come across as a caricature, be it while negotiating with an actual gangster or getting convinced that he’s feared just. A fruit juice seller who fashions himself to be a dreaded goon, he displays the kind of self-confidence that’s hard for anyone to match. But he doesn’t.
Even Rajinikanth couldn’t help but praise Narayana even before the film’s release.
Namo Narayana’s career
He worked as a business consultant for software companies in Bahrain, Dubai, Malaysia and the US before making the switch. Narayana’s plan was to work as an assistant director or executive producer. The film also earned him a friendship with the lead star Sasikumar.
On comedian Manobala ’s Waste Paper YouTube channel in 2020, Narayana spoke about how he has been close friends with actor Samuthirakani since before he entered the film industry. The actor even recalled obtaining a US visa valid for 10 years, which he later decided not to pursue. But life had other plans, and in 2009, he debuted on-screen as a supporting actor in his friend Samuthirakani’s directorial Naadodigal. Since then, he has worked with the duo in Easan (2010), Poraali (2011), Kutti Puli (2013) and Nimirndhu Nil (2014). In 2015, Narayana called Komban the breakthrough role of his career.
