It’s been a while since we have seen you play villain, especially with that swagger that you show in Isai.
I have been approached with quite a few villain roles in the last few years. I was approached for Enthiran and Sivaji. I was also asked if I’d like to play the villain in Maattrraan . I refused them all. I like the characters I play to have a lot of performing scope. My character shouldn’t just be a person who exists only to make the hero look better. He shouldn’t just be a punching bag. In that sense, I guess I’m a very selfish actor.
And S. J. Suryah (director of Isai ) convinced you when he asked you to do Isai ?
When he said he’d come over to my place to explain the script, I wasn’t sure at all. I thought I’d listen for a while and say no. But then he narrated the script, and I was floored. This was a very peculiar villain — an egotistic character who would give me plenty of acting work. That one scene in which I compose a song with only the word ‘Thu’ convinced me to take up the role.
In some scenes, you almost seemed to be mimicking the body language and dialogue delivery of S. J. Suryah that we are so accustomed to seeing.
( Laughs ) It was 50-50, I think. He’d act out each of my scenes, and when he was done, I’d bring my own quirks into the scene. So, it was half of his, and half of mine. If I’d done it entirely my way, I’d have ended up reminding a lot of people of my role in Amaidhi Padai. So, it was good that Suryah helped.
Were you concerned that Suryah was coming back from a long break as director?
Not particularly. I am a huge admirer of both Vaali and Kushi . I also loved how he established himself as an actor in Anbe Aaruyire . So, I was definitely confident of his skills as director.
Were you worried that Isai ’s story could end up being reminiscent of Ilaiyaraaja and A. R. Rahman?
Look, if this film was made in the 60s, people would have said it’s a story about G. Ramanathan and M. S. Viswanathan. If this was in the 80s, it would’ve been between M. S. Viswanathan and Ilaiyaraaja. Perhaps a few years later, they’ll probably say it’s about A. R. Rahman and Harris Jayaraj. Who knows?
But… his character was named A. K. Shiva.
( Laughs ) But mine was named Vetriselvan.
Our actors are sometimes criticised for outstaying as hero. You have made the transition from successful hero to sought-after character artiste.
Sir, you must understand that I was forced! ( Laughs ) My films as a hero were flopping, and I had no option. But this is great. Now, I’m able to do a wide variety of roles. How could I ever have acted in a film like Baahubali (an epic bilingual being directed by S. S. Rajamouli) otherwise? I like to think of myself as the Amitabh Bachchan of the Tamil industry.
Your last film as a producer, Naaigal Jaakirathai , starring your son Sibi, has been declared a hit.
It’s great that he has got his hit. I made the conscious decision of staying away from the film as it was being made. I gave them total freedom. In my words to him, “We old people are dangerous. Don’t let us have too much influence.” And I meant every word. When the late Manivannan (director and actor) and I were young, we felt that a lot of old people in the industry were hampering our ideas. I don’t want to do the same to youngsters today. I don’t want to start every piece of advice with, “When I was doing Walter Vetrivel …”
You say good roles are at a premium. What’s your motivation to continue acting?
Oh, I’m restless. I cannot stay at home for too long. I’m trying to strike the right balance between acting in films and playing with my grandson, Dheeran. Dheeran endra oru peran . We are best friends and I really want to spend more time with him. As for films, I’d really like to do roles like the one Amitabh did in Cheeni Kum .
