Finally, Vijay is in news for all right reasons. In an exclusive interview, the soft-spoken Tamil actor shares his thoughts about his political moves and the 100-crore periodic film with Mani Ratnam
Suddenly, everything is shining bright for Vijay, after having had a rough patch in the last few years. After delivering a super-hit in Kaavalan, he has moved onto ace director Shankar’s project Nanban, the remake of Bollywood blockbuster Three Idiots. Then, the actor will join Mani Ratnam’s project, a periodic film.
On the political front, too, Vijay is making canny moves. Ilaya Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, a people's movement (as he prefers to call it), launched by the actor, has decided to back the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led front in the coming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. Film director and father of Vijay SA Chandrasekar called on Jayalalithaa and conveyed the decision last week. Over to Vijay.
QUE:-How do you look at the success of Kaavalan?
It must have been a huge relief.
Even before Bodyguard (the original) in Malayalam, Siddique wanted to start the project in Tamil with me in the lead, but we could not get going due to many factors, including my commitments to other projects. But it was taken up at an appropriate time which eventually proved a turning point in my career graph. The film projected me in a very different shade, and the audience lapped it up. Besides, the film has been appreciated critically.
QUE:-The stunt sequences of your forthcoming film Velayudham are being talked about highly. What’s so special about them?
Tom Delmar, Hollywood’s top action and stunt choreographer, has been roped in to direct some breath-taking stunt sequences, like atop a speeding train at Vizag. It will certainly be one of its kind, with a cutting-edge effect. The scene will feature Abhimanyu Singh and I.
We hear that Hansika Motwani, your co-star in the film, has tweeted that you are her sweetest friend ever.
QUE:-Being a good friend of your co-star is quite natural, especially in our profession. What else can I say?
After Shankar’s Namban, you will move onto Mani Ratnam’s project, we hear.
Yes, I will. It’s a privilege to have been offered opportunities to work in a film made by Shankar and by Mani Rathnam on a row. Trust me, it is a dream come true for me to associate myself with these two legendary directors.
QUE:-Tell us about Mani’s project.
Ponniyan Selvan, as the film is tentatively titled, will be made simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu, on a budget of Rs 100 crore. The pre-production work is on and the film is expected to roll in September/October. I will be playing a character called Arulmozhi Varman, who later becomes Raja Raja Chola. The film is based on one of the most popular novels in Tamil, written by Kalki Krishnamurthi, the celebrated writer. It’s a classic.
Arya and Mahesh Babu are said to be playing other roles.
I can’t comment on the cats and the crew. It ‘s the director’s prerogative.
Your first political meeting at Nagapattinam turned out to be a filmy affair.
The fact remains that I continue to be an actor and hence such a flavor is required.
People think you have opted to collaborate with Jaya mainly because you were allegedly harassed endlessly by the ruling DMK.
It is up to people to interpret the way they want. As far as my political decisions are concerned, I make my moves in accordance with my own ideologies and perceptions, taking into account the prevailing trends. Do you think I would act and react to the whims and fancies of others around? More so, I am not the kind of person who gets intimidated by anyone – if they are in power or not. My association with the AIADMK chief is purely personal. Let me tell you I have never intended to acquire mileage out of that relationship.
The next Vijay blockbuster is gearing for release. ‘Velayudham,’ a product of director Jayam Raja is 80% complete. The film has actor Vijay as the hero with Genelia, Hansika Motwani, and Saranya Mohan as the lead ladies. Most of director’s films have oodles of family sentiment mixed with the right amount of comedy, great songs and beautiful locales.
