The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : My next plan is to direct a film, says `Nizhalgal' Raviee

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 18, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

My next plan is to direct a film, says `Nizhalgal' Raviee

S.R. Ashok Kumar

"My first dubbing assignment was for Media Arts Arun Veerappan for the film Lion King"

`Nizhalgal' S. Raviee

`Nizhalgal' S. Raviee (that's how he spells his name) has completed a silver jubilee in the film industry. Born in a middle class family, Raviee has come a long way in filmdom. He talks about his professional life and his ambition, which he hopes to achieve very soon.

I am basically a simple person who wants to live happily. I studied B.A. Economics in PSG. College, Coimbatore. After my studies, my father wanted me to work in an insurance sector. But my ambition was to become an actor. He told me to try my luck in the film industry. If I did not succeed, I should come back to Coimbatore and work in an insurance company.

I came to Chennai and visited a number of film studios and film companies. I chanced upon director Bharathiraja who was doing a film that time. It was "Nizhalgal". I was selected to do a lead role in it. That is how my name got the prefix "Nizhalgal".

I have worked in all South Indian languages and also in Hindi. In Telugu and Malayalam I have done nearly 35 films each. In Kannada, I have done 18 movies, while in Tamil it should be around 275 films. Besides, I have worked in two Hindi films.

"Nizhalgal", remains a favourite for obvious reasons. The list of his favourites include "Nayagan" directed by Mani Ratnam, "Marupadiyum" by Balu Mahendra, "Gowthami" (Telugu) by Kranthi Kumar and in Malayalam it is "Kakka" by cinematographer-turned director P.N. Sundaram. In fact "Kakka" was my first film in Malayalam and there I am known as `Kakka' Raviee.

Among actors, my favourites are MGR and Sivaji Ganesan. I rate highly yesteryear Padmini and contemporary star Trisha.

My memorable moments were when I received an award from Kalaingar Karunanidhi for my performance in "Gnaya Tharasu" and the accolades I received from Amitabh Bachchan for dubbing his voice in Tamil for "Kaun Banega Crorepathi-2 (KBC-2) for Star Vijay Television.

For me dubbing is not new. My first dubbing assignment was for Media Arts Arun Veerappan for the film "Lion King". I was selected from among 400 persons. I also did HMV's audio album `Manase Relax' which was a hit followed by Gayathri and Mrityunjaya Mantram in a CD format, which was also a big success.

My next plan is to direct a film. I am now working on the script for it. I intend to submit it to the National Film Development Corporation soon. It would go under the banner of my own company `Pride Entertainments'. We have already done quite a number of documentaries for various government and private organisations. I always want to be busy.

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