The people’s hero

Actor Dileep rises above personal challenges to star in Joshiy’s Avatharam, which reaches theatres today.

July 31, 2014 07:46 pm | Updated 08:02 pm IST - Thiruvananthapuram

Actor Dileep.

Actor Dileep.

D ileep may not be the darling of critics. But, the actor sure knows how to read the pulse of the Malayali audience. Just take a look at the number of hits which he’s had over the past several years, including Ring Master , released earlier this year. Next up is Joshiy’s Avatharam that reaches cinemas today. In the movie, the actor plays the ‘common man’ who goes through some testing times. Incidentally, on the personal front too, Dileep has been facing some difficulties, what with his divorce proceedings from actor Manju Warrier hitting headlines. In a candid chat with Friday Review , the popular hero admits that he prefers box office collections to critical acclaim and also that it has not been easy living under the scanner when it comes to his personal life. Excerpts from an interview…

What should viewers expect from Avatharam ?

It’s a thriller for the family crowd, which narrates the story of an engineering graduate from Bison Valley, a remote village in Idukki. My character, Madhavan Mahadevan, comes to the city when his brother has an accident and then gets caught in certain incidents. It’s about how a common man deals with apathy and injustice. As it often happens, we restrain ourselves from reacting to such situations, perhaps because we are aware of possible repercussions. This is the story of a youth who takes on the system in his own way.

Would you be tempted to react if you ever had to face such situations in real life?

Speaking from experience, it’s really tough during such trying times to lead a normal life without kicking up a fuss. For instance, at times, I have been made a scapegoat for things I have no clue about. Then, I am asked why I don’t react! As the Malayalam proverb goes, it takes two hands to make a noise. I prefer to let naysayers clap all they want. I’ll react when I absolutely have to.

While most heroes are eager to have a larger than life persona, people prefer to view you as one among them…

True. Even in Avatharam , I have only done things that any courageous person would do while going through a difficult situation. It is a realistic film. In fact, there are no larger than life fights scenes in the film where my character sends four goons flying with a single punch. Madhavan is powerful, but it is more of mental strength than physical.

How is it that your films consistently pull the crowd into theatres?

The viewers are looking for entertainment and that what I’m here to give them. I choose to tread a different path from my contemporaries and I am not in competition with anyone. I am only concerned about how to make my films better.

But, your films seldom get good reviews and mostly play to the gallery…

I have never claimed that my films are great. As I said, I am here to entertain the audience and I have decided to ignore negative propaganda. I pay no heed to social media reviews as well.

I keep myself busy with my job. The trust that people have in me was earned through sheer hard work and that’s what I intend to keep doing.

Is it tough for the actor in you to perform, while you are going through personal issues?

When we face the camera, it’s the feelings of the character that matter and not our own personal trauma. The viewer comes to the theatre to see the character. I am sincere and dedicated to what I do and my feelings have never interfered with my work.

Still, these must be real trying times for you...

Naturally. There are certain things, which are destined to be so. We are all travellers on a journey that has been pre-destined by God

Just like I don’t feel the need to react, I don’t feel the need to convince anyone about my actions. I have to be true to myself, to God and have no plans to hurt anyone.

The media today need news and some love to poke their noses into other’s affairs. But if it happens to them, they would know how difficult such unwarranted scrutiny is. They should understand that what is happening to me today can happen to any of us.

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