In an industry famous for short-lived careers, he has managed to stay on for 26 years despite ups and downs. In the initial days of his career, Rajkiran produced as well as acted. Enne Petha Rasa (1989) and En Rasavin Manasile (1991) were big grossers. Thereafter, Rajkiran stepped into direction with Aranmanai Kili and Ellame En Rasathan.
After a rough patch, Rajkiran bounced back in 2001 with Nandhaa and Pandavar Bhoomi followed by Sandakozhi in 2005 as a character artiste. All the three films fetched him the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Rajkiran owes his success as a character artiste to compromises. “As a director, I may have wonderful ideas and subjects of social relevance. I may not get a willing producer or may not have the resources to produce the project myself. Again, as a character actor, I may want to do strong, meaningful roles that will send across important messages to the audience. Many directors may not have such roles ready for me. So, I have to make compromises to remain in the industry,” says Rajkiran.
As a leading man, Rajkiran may have missed the bus during his heydays. But he enjoys being in the limelight now, essaying roles such as the one he is currently doing in Komban, for director M. Muthaiah, which revolves around the powerful characters played by Karthi and himself. “It is a tailor-made role. I play a concerned father who is apprehensive about the welfare of his daughter after marriage. Even if she appears to be happy, is there something she’s hiding? — this is what worries my character all the time,” says Rajkiran. The character Rajkiran plays lives in a peaceful village, while his son-in-law, Komban (played by Karthi), hails from a chaotic one. “Despite his violent nature, I am told, Komban is good-hearted.”
Rajkiran has another movie, Sivappu , completed and ready for release. “In this, my character is diametrically opposite. I play a super-cool, modern grandfather — an ‘iPad Thatha ’. Sivappu stars Naveen Chandra and Rupa Manjari and is directed by Sathyasiva.
Meanwhile, Rajkiran nurses a desire to direct another film. “I am working on a script, but am not in a hurry. Of course, I must get an understanding producer who will support the content. At present, I am enjoying the wonderful roles coming my way,” concludes the veteran.
