The release of Kattalan has added another significant chapter to Kabir Duhan Singh’s steadily expanding journey in Malayalam cinema. While audiences across South India have long associated him with imposing antagonists and action-heavy performances, the actor believes his recent work in Kerala has allowed viewers to see him through a wider lens.
When Filmfare last spoke to Kabir, he was navigating a busy phase of his career, balancing projects across industries while looking ahead to a slate of Malayalam releases. Since then, Kattalan has reached theatres, generating conversations around its action spectacle, technical ambition, and performances. For Kabir, the film’s release has also brought renewed attention to a challenge he finds himself confronting more often these days: following up a character as memorable as Cyrus from Marco.
Comparisons with Cyrus have followed Kabir ever since Kattalan released. He says many of the messages he has received since the film’s release have centred around his performance in Marco and whether Eddy in Kattalan measured up to the villain audiences had embraced earlier. “People were waiting for Cyrus,” Kabir says. Adding, “They thought Eddie would be more brutal than Cyrus. But it was a different story and a different character.”
According to him, audiences walked into Kattalan with expectations shaped by Marco. With familiar collaborators returning and promotional conversations often circling back to his previous Malayalam outing, many expected a dark and violent antagonist. He stated, “Cyrus was a very dark character. This character is not so.”
Kabir believes Eddy in Kattalan offered him more scope as an actor than many viewers may realise. He reveals that he played a dual role and that several scenes, including portions involving the father’s character, did not make it into the final cut. “There were some really good scenes,” he says. Adding, “Maybe they weren’t required in the final cut. But as an actor, I felt there was more scope here.”
Despite the mixed response to the film, Kabir remains proud of the effort that went into making it. He recalls sustaining an injury during an action sequence and credits director Paul George and the team for their commitment throughout the production. “We gave our blood and sweat to this film,” he says. Adding, “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But we made it with honesty.”
Beyond Kattalan, Kabir is focused on the next phase of his career. After years of playing antagonists across industries, he is keen to explore roles that allow him to showcase a broader range as a performer.
He further stated, “I don’t want to be called a villain. I want to be called a performer.”
The comment reflects a larger goal he has for the next phase of his career. While he acknowledges that villain roles brought him recognition, he is also aware of the risk of being boxed into a particular image. “There’s a huge risk of being typecast,” he says. Adding, “Once people see you in a certain image, it can take three or four films to break out of it.”
That desire to move beyond familiar territory is already influencing the scripts he responds to. Alongside the upcoming action flick Ottakomban with Suresh Gopi, Kabir reveals that he has recently listened to another Malayalam story featuring veteran actor Urvashi that particularly impressed him. While he remains guarded about the project, he says what excited him most was the strength of the character on offer rather than its scale. “It’s a very nice story and a very good character,” he says. For an actor trying to move beyond the villain label, those are increasingly the opportunities he wants to pursue.
That is one reason his upcoming Malayalam project Ottakomban feels particularly significant. Headlined by Suresh Gopi, the film casts Kabir as a Circle Inspector, a role that moves away from the antagonists audiences have come to associate him with. “It’s a very different character,” he says. Adding, “A proper performance role.”
Kabir has already completed a substantial schedule for the film and speaks warmly about working with Suresh Gopi. He added, “Every day he used to call me and say, ‘Kabir, come sit.’ He’d say, ‘I got this from home,’ or ‘I got this from a temple.’ Sometimes it was sweets, sometimes food, sometimes prasadam. Every day there was something,” he recalls. “It felt like a big family. He’s a minister, he’s a superstar, but on set he made me comfortable from the very first day.”
The actor also speaks enthusiastically about Malayalam cinema and the kind of stories emerging from the industry. “Nobody can beat Malayalam cinema,” he says. “Every week there are good thrillers and strong stories coming out. I really want to be part of that.” In fact, when asked about the kind of role he hopes to tackle next, Kabir’s answer is remarkably specific. He wants to be part of a grounded Malayalam thriller. “I want to do a good content-oriented thriller,” he says. Concluding, “A realistic film. Maybe as a police officer solving murders.”
Kabir says the encouragement he has received from audiences in Kerala has influenced the way he looks at future projects. During promotional events and public appearances, many have encouraged him to take on positive roles and performance-driven characters. “Kerala audiences gave me this confidence,” he says. Adding, “They tell me, ‘Do a thriller. Do a positive role. We’ll come and watch it.'”
As he prepares for Ottakomban and other Malayalam projects, Kabir hopes to continue exploring characters that push him beyond the villain roles that first brought him recognition. For now, he is focused on building a career that gives audiences something different with every film.
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