Ashok Selvan has been a popular name in Tamil cinema ever since his entry almost a decade back and made heads turn with his performances in films like Soodhu Kavvum, Thegidi, Kootathil Oruthan, including last year's Oh My Kadavule, which turned out to be a commercial success, while also winning a double thumbs up from critics. All set for his debut in Malayalam in Mohanlal's historical war film, Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham, i’s Ashok will be seen in Theeni, which is also coming out in Telugu under the title Ninnila Ninnila. 

All set for a release on the pay-per-view platform ZeePlex, Theeni's trailer came out on Friday and left fans satisfied on what they can expect once the film is out on February 26. Ashok, who plays an overweight chef in the Tamil-Telugu bilingual film, left many surprised and wondering whether he had really put on weight for his role or wore a bag under his clothes, with the actor himself now taking to social media to reveal the secret. Ashok wrote on his Facebook page that he had put on 103 kgs for his role in Theeni, while adding that it was a gargantuan task when it came to reducing it. He wrote: 

"Hey! Meet Dev! 

The film that is so close to my heart, made with lots of love and effort. Had put on 103 kgs for this film and almost died reducing it. This film is a very special film and needs all your love and support. More than anything it’s.. My uyirnanban @anisasi‘s directorial debut. And I got to work with powerhouse talents like @nithyamenen @rituvarma @divakar.mani #Nasser sir @rajeshmurugesanable

#NinnilaNinnila #Theeni trailer is out.check it out if haven’t already."

Hey! Meet Dev! 😆 The film that is so close to my heart, made with lots of love and effort. Had put on 103 kgs for this...

Posted by Ashok Selvan on Friday, February 5, 2021

Directed by Ani. I. V. Sasi, Theeni / Ninnila Ninnila includes Ritu Varma and Nithya Menen playing the female leads and has been produced by BVSN Prasad featuring music by Premam fame Rajesh Murugesan. Based on the trailer, Ashok Selvan's character in the film suffers from muscle spasms and insomnia, who is employed at a 5-star restaurant in London where he befriends Ritu Varma and Nithaya Menen. Watch the Theeni trailer below: