Captain cool

Arya is busier than ever. Producing his second film, acting in three, making plans for a fourth. He takes time off to talk to Sudhir Srinivasan

August 23, 2014 08:19 pm | Updated 10:10 pm IST

In full throttle Arya in Meaghamann

In full throttle Arya in Meaghamann

Arya belongs to that rare breed of actors adored by directors and producers alike. While directors love him for his enthusiasm to be part of multi-starrers and his non-interference in their work, producers appreciate him for sharing their opinion that a film’s prime purpose is to entertain, and that an actor must simply do his bit — like a cog in the wheel — without being too worried about the scope of acting the role offers. “I have just one face; so I can laugh and cry in only one manner,” he says. “Perhaps I can experiment with my hairstyle or exaggerate my smile. That’s it. The mood of the film and its setting convinces the audience that I’m playing a different character.” Is it exaggeration then when some actors talk about the need to get into the skin of a character, and appear different in each film? Leaving no room for doubt, he says, “900 per cent!”

The actor is busy with three films — Meaghamann , Purampokku , and Yatchan . In Purampokku, he acts with Vijay Sethupathi and Shaam, while Yatchan will see him share screen space with Kreshna. Arya is a veteran when it comes to movies with an ensemble cast, having acted in Arinthum Ariyamalum (his debut in 2005), Ullam Ketkume (2005), Pattiyal (2006), and the more recent Raja Rani (2013) and Arrambam (2013). “Single hero films, with their undivided focus on one individual, can become monotonous,” he says. “Multi-starrers have variety. Also, when top actors unite for a film, it generates a lot of interest and publicity.”

Then, there’s the learning intrinsic to working in a film with other leading actors. Acting with the likes of Vijay Sethupathi and Shaam creates healthy competition. “Shaam, for instance, pauses between dialogues, an aspect I have now tried to adopt,” says Arya. “Vijay Sethupathi adds extra details that are not even part of the script. How could I ever learn these techniques if not by acting with them?”

S. P. Jananathan’s Purampokku has a message without becoming preachy, he says. The detachable prison set, created for this film, is the talk of the town. “It was the director’s decision to create it. Its detachability made several impossible camera angles possible,” says Arya, who is also quite excited about his role in Magizh Thirumeni’s Meaghamann (‘ship captain’). He believes the film will be a trendsetter, and compares it with Gautham Menon’s cop film Kaakha Kaakha (2003). “It’s an action-oriented film,” he says, adding that director Magizh told him that he wanted a “stylish and manly” look. Arya suddenly found himself in new territory when asked not to emote too much for the film. “We actors try hard to make our presence felt in scenes,” he says, laughing. “Here I was asked to do little. There are several scenes where I only stare at the camera.” The latest film he has signed is director Vishnuvardhan’s Yatchan , marking the duo’s fifth partnership. “He (Vishnuvardhan) is the puppeteer, and I am the puppet,” he says, smiling. Arya agreed to do the film even before he heard the story. “I trust him completely. All details are secondary.” The film is based on a short story about mistaken identity that appeared in a Tamil magazine, and Arya calls it a “typical Vishnuvardhan film”.

Next up are exciting plans. He teams up with Santhanam and director Rajesh for a film that he calls “part two of the rip-roaring Boss Engira Bhaskaran (2010).” He also plans to return as producer after four years with Amara Kaaviyam , a film with brother Sathya. “It's an intense love story, the likes of which I’ve never been a part of. Think Mynaa (2010) or Kaadhal Kondein (2003),” he says. He laments being typecast as a commercial actor and says, “Let this be a shout out to all directors that I would like to star in a deep, intense love story!”

As a parting shot, he ticks off producers who delay films for a ‘U’ certificate in order to get the 30 per cent tax waiver. “If all producers want a ‘U’ certificate, how are we ever going to make films about dark concepts? Unless this changes, most films will only be commercial entertainers.” He is eager to change the status quo when he is producer. “If Amara Kaaviyam does not get a ‘U’ certificate, I won’t demand that the director cut scenes to get one.” You can see why directors like him.

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