Back on track

Jai, whose Valiyavan is playing in theatres, talks about his twin passions — acting and racing

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Jai is finally doing the things he loves — acting in films that excite him and zipping on the race track. “I’ve reached this space after a long struggle,” he says. The actor, who showed a lot of promise initially, chose some inconsequential films before bouncing back with M. Saravanan’s  Engeyum Eppodhum . He teams up once again with the director for Valiyavan , a romance-cum-action drama, which released on Friday.

Valiyavan  is about an ordinary man who turns into an action hero. Jai sports a chiselled look, achieved after strenuous workouts. He is paired with Andrea, an unlikely combination. “Saravanan wanted a strong performer, someone with great screen presence. She was perfect.”

“After  Engeyum… , I got only ‘soft’ roles. The character had that kind of impact. It was as if people had forgotten that I could do action. So, when we decided to work together again, I told Saravanan that he had to give me an image makeover,” smiles Jai.

That’s why they ended up making an action film? “But there’s love too,” says Jai. “Usually, heroes sign up for action movies very early in their career. I wanted to wait for some years; action needs actors with a certain presence to be believable,” he says.

Jai says the box-office rejections that came his way were a great teacher. “ Subramaniapuram  was a huge hit, but it came at a time when I had no maturity. Ajith sir always says it is easy to handle failure; success is different! That’s very true. I needed those flops to get back on track.”

Speaking of the track, every Sunday, Jai goes for a spin, and recently, he came sixth after starting from 10th position in the MRF Formula 1600 race at Sriperumbudur. “That was a huge leap, considering I’m not a full-time racer.”

Jai believes in slow progress. “I’ve never sought to be part of big-budget films. I’m happy doing small films that help me grow as an actor, even while ensuring the producer makes money.”

The actor is also doing Pugazh with Udhayam NH4 director Manimaran. “It’s a political film, something I’ve never done before. We have been shooting in real locations, in Chennai and Ranipet; a truly different experience.” He’s signed up for director Thiru’s next, and is completing work on Premsai’s Tamizhselvanum Taniyaar Anjalum, co-starring Yami Gautam. “It has been delayed yes, but it is a story that will be fresh always. If Ghajini threw the spotlight on short-term memory loss, this one will speak about another medical issue.”

Jai is happy working with known people as well as newcomers. “New directors understand my passion for racing, and let me take time off to focus on the sport.” Six times a year, Jai leaves for a long weekend to take part in the championship leagues.

Doesn’t it get difficult riding two demanding horses? “It does, but both acting and racing define me. I’d be lost without either of them.”