It’s been seven good years since Ganesh Venkatraman entered the film industry and you only realise it when he switches back and forth about working with Trisha in Nayaki ( Nayagi in Tamil) after Aakasamantha ( Abhiyum Naanum ). A lot has changed in his life since then. His friendship with the actress has of course bettered and his flair in picking up languages has only cemented his stature as a bankable character artiste.
Ganesh minces few words when we ask him to give us a peek into what his part in Nayaki is all about. “I can only say that the recreation of the 80s, backed by Govi’s solid background research is worth the wait. The decorous sets and production values will add to the impact.”
Even if he shifts among the four industries of south-cinema, he has tried to take note of little cultural differences that surface. In fact, he recollects having better comments about his role as an undercover cop in Eenadu (remake of A Wednesday ), than its Tamil version Unnaipol Oruvan . “I don’t remember doing anything remarkably different in the two, but certain histrionics work better in certain languages,” he’s quick to add.
Ask him if his physique has been the main reason for him to play a cop so often and he discloses, “It’s hard to see where that comes from. Whenever I’ve chosen such parts, the best I do is to see that they have a different backstory. Say Citizen ( Ivan Vera Mathiri ), Eenadu and the Tamil film I did recently, Achaaram , they all haven’t been parts where I pick up a gun and start shooting the goons. I make it a point to bring out their demarcations clearly.”
Balancing an occasional film as a solo lead with character driven roles, he isn’t keen about having a predefined tag attached anytime soon. “Films aren’t a platform for self-glorification. The basic key to ensuring a balanced career is to focus on entertaining an audience. In Bajrangi Bhaijaan ,the little girl also got a bulk of the credit, although it’s a Salman Khan vehicle. It’s not only one actor who can make a film work. Also with audience, you can’t often get away without having a story,” Ganesh assures, basking on the success of his latest Tamil release, Thani Oruvan , whose Telugu remake is reportedly on the cards with Ram Charan.
“It’s the biggest hit in my career and the visibility it has had on a national level is one of the nicest things to have happened. Imagine that it has toppled the collections of Baahubali in the Tamil version!” he exclaims in joy.
Ganesh, set to tie the knot with television anchor Nisha in a couple of months is perturbed about the extra dose of attention they both get as a couple. “As we belong to the visual medium, I’m happy for the love we get and it’s something that we actors always strive for. On the other hand, you’ve nothing like a private life,” he admits before signing off.
