In this interview over hot cups of cappuccino, the talented and versatile actor tells JYOTHI VENKATESH that he has no regrets that he has done less work till date in a period of twelve years because he has done good work.
You play one of the antagonists in the Tamil film Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru. Is it for the first time that you are working in a Tamil film? What exactly is your role in it?
It is for the first time that I am acting in a Tamil film. I play one of the two antagonists in the film, the other being Abhimanyu Singh, who plays Oma Singh. I play Banna Singh who is next in hierarchy to Oma. The cops are hunting for Banno and Oma, in the film but they do not know how they look.
How difficult was it for you to mouth your lines in Tamil for the role?
It was not difficult as I was required to talk mostly in Hindi as the film is based in Rajasthan. However, to lend authenticity to my character in the Tamil film, I also managed to speak a few lines in Tamil, which elicited a lot of applause for me all over Tamil Nadu.
When you were offered the role, did you realise that you would have to play the second fiddle to Abhimanyu Singh?
Frankly speaking, I did not know at all that Abhimanyu was the main villain in the film when it was offered to me, till I saw the film after it was complete. Though I do not play the main villain, mine is quite a significant character in the film. I just shared one single scene with Abhimanyu but I was overwhelmed with the response that my character fetched from all the fans.
Who plays the title role in the film?
It is Karthi who is one of the superstars down South who has played the title role of Theeran in the film. Karthi happens to be the younger brother of super star Surya and the son of yesteryear actor Sivakumar. The best thing about Karthi is that though he is a super star with a following of his own, he does not have even an iota of pride or any baggage with him.
You hail from the theatre background. Where did you learn acting?
Yes. I am from the theatre background. I learnt acting at Roshan Taneja’s Acting Academy in Mumbai. I was also a part of Om Katare’s Yatri group. Basically I learnt acting only by observing all the actors in plays.
With which film did you make your debut as an actor?
It was with Rajat Kapoor’s film Mitya that I had made my debut as an actor in Hindi films, though it was Ekta Kapoor’s Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai, that fetched me a lot of accolades as an actor, even though it was a scene that had me for just 33 seconds. In fact, when Karthi told me on the day we were shooting together for Dheeran in Rajasthan, that he had watched me in the film just the night before. Karthi could not believe it when I told him that it was role which I had accepted when I was struggling for good roles.
In what way did your small role in Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai help you as an actor?
After watching the 33 second role in Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai, the director of Baramas offered to cast me in his serious issue based film Baramas, because he was very impressed with my screen presence in the film.
How do you look back at your career till date?
Though I have put in 12 years as an actor in the film industry, I think I have learnt a lot in spite of having arrived very late. I would say that Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru is a milestone in my career, since it has fetched me recognition and popularity as an actor which all these years Hindi films could not fetch me at all.
Why has it taken you more time to get recognition as well as fame in films?
I think I’d rather blame myself for this state of affairs because for 12 years, I did a lot of TV serials not only to gain experience in acting, but also get money to sustain myself though my focus was always on films.
Are you not getting offers to be part of web series now that the trend has caught up in a big way?
I am of course getting a lot of offers to be a part of web series, but I am waiting and watching because my priority right now is only films.
Which are some of the memorable films in which you had acted to date?
Khel To Ab Shuru Hoga, Jannat and Jannat 2, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai, Raja Natwarlal, Micky Virus, Mitya, Baramas, and a few others are some of the Hindi films which I still remember for the kind of roles that I got the opportunity to portray.
What has happened to Vishram Sawant’s film Shooter in which you were cast with Suniel Shetty and Randeep Hooda?
Unfortunately for me, the film in which I have a stellar role is yet to get a proper release.
How choosy are you as an actor when a film offer is made to you?
I am not at all choosy because I just cannot afford to be choosy. Today, I am flooded with offers to play either a negative role or an anti hero role. With honesty, I would like to state that as an actor, I have absolutely no choice. All that I wish at this stage of my career is that I should get work on a regular basis.
In what way do you think cinema has changed over the years from the time that you had made your debut with Mitya?
Cinema has changed hell of a lot for the good of course since the time I had acted in Mitya. Today, the casting directors play a vital role in casting any actor in a film whereas earlier it was only the directors who used to decide on whom to cast for which role in their films.
Do you have any regrets that you have not been seen in as many films as possible?
I may have done less work when you compare it with that of my other colleagues, but I have the satisfaction that I have done good work. I have never shied away from work. I remember there have been times when I have worked for even 18 hours day on the sets of my films. I am glad that though I never used to quote my price as such, I have always been paid quite handsomely by my producers.
What next after Teheran Adhigaaram Ondru?
I am excited to be a part of a film called Gul which is directed by Patrick. I play an army soldier in the film, which is the story of one night. I am also there in the film Gaaon, directed by Gautam Singh, which is a real issue based film which has been shot in Jharkhand.
