Tamil actor Rishikanth<\/a> is the talk of the town at the moment. After delivering two successive hits, Modha Rathri<\/i><\/a> and Dorothy<\/i><\/a>, Rishikanth has become an internet sensation, with a growing fanbase that is already eager to watch what the actor will do next. The moniker the internet generation has bestowed on Rishikanth is \u2018Thanjavur Jesus,\u2019 a name denoting his hometown and his Jesus-like bearded, lean appearance.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Naslen<\/a> has been one of the most in-demand Malayalam stars. Over the years, the actor has gained a cult following, especially after the success of his rom-com, Premalu<\/i><\/a>. And now, last week, Naslen made a stellar foray into Tamil cinema with Scene<\/i><\/a>, the Suriya-starrer that has received rave reviews from audiences and critics. And it just so happens that the internet had to find a moniker for Naslen as well; social media now calls him the \u2018Thrissur Timothee,\u2019 drawing a parallel to the Hollywood star Timothee Chalamet.<\/p>\n Now, did you know that this \u2018Thrissur Timothee\u2019 and \u2018Thanjavur Jesus\u2019 have a previous connection? Yes. Rishikanth and Naslen, the stars who are the talk of the town now, once starred together in a Malayalam movie. Director Sudhi Maddison\u2019s 2023 Malayalam comedy, Neymar<\/i><\/a>, featured Naslen in a lead role, while Rishikanth was seen in a supporting role.<\/p>\n The internet was quick to make the connection, with frames of the two together going viral on X.<\/p>\n Beyond its pop-culture value, the moment also speaks of the long journey both Naslen and Rishikanth undertook to reach the stardom they now seem to enjoy. In an exclusive interview with The Hindu<\/i><\/a>, Rishikanth, when asked about how he is processing all the love he has been receiving of late, said, \u201cIn my 15 years in cinema, I have felt lonely many times, but during these last two months, I have felt that I have a huge family [of audiences] out there. They saw me as one of their own. Many of them told me my win felt personal to them. I see that as a blessing. I\u2019ll be careful to not break that trust.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/th-i.thgim.com\/public\/incoming\/9rf3c\/article71660381.ece\/alternates\/SQUARE_80\/13.JPG.jpeg\")
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![\"Actor](\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/theme\/images\/th-online\/1x1_spacer.png\" "\\"Actor")
<\/picture><\/div>\n\n Actor Rishikanth during a recent visit to \u2018The Hindu\u2019 office in Chennai on November 3, 2026; Naslen in a still from \u2018Scene\u2019
\n | Photo Credit: Thamodharan B\/The Hindu and @naslenofficial\/Instagram\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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