Rishikanth on Dorothy, newfound fame and his journey from a Chennai mansion to a new home

In Chennai, a ‘mansion’ does not refer to a palatial residence, but to a tiny room where a few men jostle for space amidst beds, luggage and a clothesline heavy with damp shirts. For many aspiring young actors from across Tamil Nadu, these mansions, where room rents are about ₹500 a night, are where their journeys begin.

Actor Rishikanth aka Rishi, Tamil cinema’s latest sensation, currently lives in one of these mansions in Chennai’s Ekkaduthangal. But presumably, not for long. Rishi arrived in Chennai from his hometown, Thanjavur, 15 years ago, dreaming of making it big in films. Today, with Modha Rathri and Dorothy earning acclaim, he has become a celebrity, often getting mobbed by fans for autographs and selfies when he is out.