Jayam Ravi could not have had it any better. He gets to romance the top heroines of the day. In the soon-to-release Bhooloham , Ravi has the beautiful Trisha as his co-star. In two other films, also now on the floors, Ravi romances Nayantara in Thani Oruvan and Hansika Motwani in Romeo and Juliet . For director Suraj’s next film, talented actor Anjali has already been signed on as one of the two heroines. Now, could anyone ask for more? “I can only say that I am lucky! But, in every instance, it is the script that has demanded the selection of the particular heroine. No one can replace Genelia in her role in Santosh Subramaniam or Asin in M. Kumaran s/o Mahalakshmi ,” says Ravi, who has had Shriya, Tamannaah and Amala Paul too as his co-stars.
Coming from a family of film professionals — father ‘Editor’ Mohan and brother director M. Raja — Ravi made his acting debut with Jayam, which gave him the permanent appendage to his name. He has since acted in five films directed by his brother, Raja, which includes, notably, M. Kumaran…. “You could say that there is a comfort factor, which is natural, considering we are brothers and talk the same language of films. There is non-stop communication between us and, except for a one-film lead in direction, our careers have grown parallel. In the five films I have done with him, his choice of scripts and my characters in them have only given me a better standing in the industry,” says Ravi.
Ravi has gone through the grind in portraying different types of characters, both stylish and not-so-stylish in his earlier films. He points out films such as Peranmai, Adhi Bhagavan, Tillalangadi and Engeyum Kadhal which have showcased him in a variety of roles. “But in Bhooloham , it has been a tough one — to portray a boxer from North Madras. I practise a form of sport that is almost non-existent today. When compared to the English style of boxing (Angila Kuthu Sandai), the Tamizh Kuthu Sandai is as different as chalk from cheese. But boxing is just the backdrop of the film. The story is about the character — why does he fight? What emotions does he experience? Does he fight for vengeance, money, society? Or is it anger? Trisha has a very important role in the film as well as in the life of my character. On the whole, Bhooloham is a complete entertainer for all viewers,” says Ravi.
On the floors Ask him about M. Raja’s Thani Oruvan, which is in the making, and he says, “It’s a bit early to talk about it, as there are many surprise elements in the film. I have seen the rushes of whatever has been shot so far and I am extremely happy. Suffice it to say that I play a modern character and the film will have all the ingredients that one can expect from a M. Raja-Jayam Ravi combo. Meanwhile, Romeo and Juliet will be an out-and-out commercial entertainer. I play a gym trainer and Hansika plays my student. Her aspirations are to meet a well-heeled guy and settle down in life, while the gym trainer has other ideas,” says Ravi.
After Ravi completes both films, he will start shooting for director Suraj’s yet-to-be-titled village-based romcom. “I have a deadly pairing with comedian Suri, which will be the highlight of the film. As of now, Anjali has been selected as one of the two heroines,” says Ravi.
What’s next? “I am already listening to some scripts, but I will take time to decide. Meanwhile, I have been telling my brother that he should start working on a sequel to M. Kumaran…. The film has become some sort of a classic and even today, whenever it is telecast, I get a lot of calls. Maybe we will be able to recreate the magic with the sequel…but you never know.”
