Ashwin Kakumanu

Ashwin initially unsuccessfully auditioned for a role in Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa. The director Gautham Menon was close to giving him the role. But Ashwin was noticed by the assistant directors of the film and recommended him for the role as Arjun, the boyfriend of Sameera Reddy's character in Nadunisi Naaygal.

Ashwin Kakumanu was later signed to portray a role in Venkat Prabhu's Mankatha which featured an ensemble cast including Ajith Kumar, Vaibhav Reddy and Arjun after Prabhu was impressed with a short film which Ashwin had directed and acted.