While on a road trip to Mangalore to visit the Kollur Mookambika temple prior to the release of Enkitta Mothathe today, he spoke about the film, his future projects and what made his acting career a success.
Are you experimenting by acting in a variety of genres?
I became an actor accidentally, or I would rather say that I reluctantly ventured into acting. I was treading carefully and had been experimenting by playing different roles in different genres — like a gangster film, family drama, action, heist film — and that was a learning experience for me. I look for novelty in each script. I assess the scope of the concept, my role and how I can contribute to it. Once convinced, I go for it. Sathuranga Vettai changed my career graph.
Has your experience as DOP made you adept in choosing scripts?
In Bollywood, I have been involved in many script discussions, and my comments and suggestions were valued. That experience helps me today.
You have clout in Bollywood. Why didn’t you act in Hindi films?
I don’t think Hindi films will work for me, especially with my typical South Indian looks. Most of the Hindi films revolve around Punjabi families, and I cannot be cast as Natty Malhotra. Maybe a South Indian gangster role, in a film like Gangs of Wasseypur , will suit me.
Is Enkitta Mothathe a period film?
Yes, it is a period film, taking place between 1986 to 1989; the story happens in Tirunelveli and Nagercoil. Enkitta Mothathe portrays the lives of two cut-out artists. With digital flex, there is no work for cut-out artists these days. But back then, these artists were much in demand, and each artist specialised in drawing one big star, Rajini or Kamal. I underwent training under cut-out artist Sigamani. He painstakingly taught me how to hold a brush and I was astonished to find that there are 100 different brushes they use. One for eyes, one for eye brows, for lips and so on.Eros Internationalhas come forward to produce the film.
What sort of a role do you portray in Enkitta Mothathe?
I play the role of a cut-out artist who specialises in drawing images of Rajinikanth. The film is an action drama, and portrays how profession can affect friendship, and that results in enmity and betrayal.
How do you rate yourself as an actor?
Today, I am confident as an actor. My greatest strengths are my hyperactive personality, my body language and my voice.
