It has been a lifelong goal for content creator Shelvin James to play the quintessential best friend on the big screen. Following a decade-long career making sketches on social media and carving his own niche fanbase, the 29-year-old believes he has finally achieved that, as he revels in praise for his role as Prashant Raj aka Parashu in Athiradi, headlined by Basil Joseph.Shelvin’s Parashu, in his first full-length role, is the ideal confidante to Basil’s Sam Kutty. He champions his friend irrespective of the irrational endeavours he embarks on, making people laugh with his retorts and reactions on screen. “I am happy that everyone has accepted the character. The response I get are mostly that they wish they had someone like a Parashu in their lives or that they are the Parashu in their gang,” says Shelvin, over phone from Chennai, during the busy schedule of film promotions.Athiradi, directed and co-written by Arun Anirudhan, follows Sam, who wants to reintroduce the Arohan Fest in his college following its suspension due to a tragic accident which happened a few years ago. However, he locks horns with Sreekuttan Vellayani, a local goon-turned-musician, played by Tovino Thomas, who wants to ruin his plans.