AN ACTOR headhunted by a model scout is counting his blessings after landing a starring role in a film that featured in the Cannes Film Festival.

Ashlin Harris, 27, who grew up in Thundersley has a role in new film Friends in Law, which explores homosexuality in Indian culture.

Echo:

Model - Ashlin Harris, 27, studied at the Deanes School and Thundersley Junior School

The actor studied at the Deanes School and Thundersley Junior School and worked at Runnymede Swimming Pool in Thundersley as a lifeguard.

He was discovered by a modelling talent scout and hasn’t looked back since.

He said he tried his hand at building and being a lifeguard but is now looking forward to a new career on the big screen.

He said: “The film is a first of its kind Indian film about the acceptance of homosexuality through the life of an Orthodox Indian mother who goes on a journey of self-realisation after spending ten days with her gay son’s partner.

“I play the lead character of Steve in the film and play the boyfriend of the mother’s son.

“The film was screened at the 71st Cannes Film Festival in May last year and it was completely mindblowing for me and my family.

“The film is being released on Amazon Prime on Saturday.”

His new-found role as a movie actor is a bit of a surprise to Ashlin.

He added: “I finished school and started working as a scaffolder but quit after a year because it wasn’t for me.

“I attended college for a couple of years then got a job at Runnymede Swimming Pool as a lifeguard.

“A talent scout found me and I started doing modelling for a couple of years and then I had to quit my job at Runnymede and began this new journey into the modelling industry.

“I have appeared in some amazing campaigns for Pepsi, Footlocker, Uniqlo, British Airways, PlayStation, Xbox, Microsoft and more.”

In 2017, Ashlin decided to get into acting and took a one year course at City Lit drama school in Covent Garden.

He has now landed his first major lead role after his acting studies.

Ashlin said: “It is hard to say how it will be received in India especially as it’s the first film of its kind.

“But same sex marriage is now legal in India.

“I enjoyed the role very much and all my family are so proud and pleased for me.”