[1] He later moved to New Delhi to do a postgraduate degree at the National Institute of Advertising, as his father was insistent that he had a fall back plan in case a career in the film industry did not materialise.
After hearing that Prabhu Solomon was casting for a new film from a co-actor, Chandramouli sent his portfolio and received an offer to play the lead role in Kayal (2014) the following day, much to his surprise.
Prior to the beginning the first schedule, the director asked Chandramouli to lose fifteen kilograms for the role and undertake a training workshop under stunt choreographer Pandian.
For the shoot, the team shot extensively in muddy waters resembling the conditions post-tsunami, and Chandramouli suffered from mild fungal infections from the experience.
[3] The film opened in December 2014, ten years after the anniversary of the disaster, to positive reviews and Chandramouli won critical acclaim for his portrayal of Aaron.