The year has begun on a great note for actor Jiiva. His Kalakalappu 2 with director Sundar C has opened a container of laughs, and he’s signed up to work with Raju Murugan (of Joker and Cuckoo fame) in Gypsy . Kee , on which he began work some years ago, is ready for release too, and he’s heading to Thailand next week to shoot with a chimpanzee for Gorilla .
After beginning his career with films that called for intense performances, Jiiva decided to take a break from subjects that drained him, and work in commercial fare. Kalakalappu 2 falls perfectly in that plan. “It was a lot of fun. Every actor on the set knew what he/she was going to do that day only in the morning. Sundar C (director) often improvises on set. There was no stress at all, despite working together continuously for 60 days. Usually, on a film set, there’s a lot of waiting. But, here, you’re always occupied thinking about what’s going to happen next. Many things were taking place simultaneously — a fight, a dance, a comedy scene… That said, one of the reasons the script appealed to me is that in real life, I’m a fun person.”
Many have wondered what governs the actor’s career choices. After all, here’s a young actor who began with films that tapped into his potential as a performer before stardust swirled down on him. Does prevailing trends or instincts influence his choices? “I see a trend, and that definitely influences my decision. I like films that entertain. When you see people laugh, it’s instant gratification,” says the actor, who assures that he teamed up with Raju Murugan because it’s a script that is unlike anything he’s done before.
Jiiva has had his share of failures as well. “I’m proud of some of my films — like Raam, Katradhu Tamizh, Neethaane En Ponvasantham … {ironically, the last one is being celebrated on social media now, five years after its release}. The last one was a slice-of-life film. And so, when some people told me that the film did not strike a chord with them, I was okay with that. After all, it deals with first world problems. You would have identified with it if you’d fallen in love, been to a co-ed school… Ultimately, the trick is to be so motivated that you do not mind getting up at 6 am to entertain others.”
The trailer of his upcoming film Kee throws the spotlight on cracking and hacking, and online safety. “I’ve watched Hollywood movies and a TV series that dealt with a similar subject. The script came to me five years ago, and I felt it would not work in such a setting… Then, the Blue Whale game happened. I waited for a while and producer Michael Rayyapan came on board.”
In Gorilla , Shalini Pandey, who wowed audiences in the blockbuster Telugu film Arjun Reddy , teams up with Jiiva. “We are to return to Thailand for some more shots. A ‘Chennai set’ has been erected there,” says the actor.
After almost a decade and a half in the industry, Jiiva says that he still does not really plan his career. “I just go with the flow. That works best for me.”
He also watches movies with dedication. Does he watch them as an actor or producer? “I think producer. At one point, I did consider moving into production if my acting career did not work out. Luckily, I’ve never had to pursue that.”
