Interview - Actor Vincent Asokan

Published in The Hindu Cinema Plus

Remember the television commercial for an online shopping portal which asks, in Hindi "Real life mein aisa hota hai kya?" Similarly, does menacing villains and fisticuffs at the drop of a hat, happen in real life? Does a lanky youngster in real life manage to beat up scores of well-built thugs with his bare hands? Well, that is celluloid for you. Everything that happens on the silver screen is larger than life and is meant purely to entertain the masses. After all, don't we all need an escape into a world of make-believe from the drudgery of humdrum life?

And, that's precisely what actor Vincent Asokan is good at. He would rather chase the good man (read: hero), rough up the damsel (read: heroine) into more distress and eventually get smashed to a pulp by the said hero. For, that's what the masses want and that's his profession - Villainy!

Since his introduction to the silver screen in 2004 in director A Venkatesh's Aei, Vincent Asokan has done that in close to 30 films. That's an average of 3 films a year! But, 2013 was different for Vincent as it must have been for other villains and thugs of the film industry. That was the year when, besides the odd 'Madurai-type-film', comedy and romance reared its head. "For the first time in my career, 2013 was a dull year with no releases, except a Kannada film, Lakshmi. But the bright side was the completion of two excellent films and the ongoing production of four others," says Vincent.

Bright year ahead

That makes six films ready or getting ready for release this year. And, Vincent is quite upbeat about them. "In Thottal Thodarum, directed by Cable Shankar, I play a negative role with a difference. I have absolutely no dialogues and the terror element is conveyed through menacing looks, facial expressions and actions. I was quite apprehensive when Shankar narrated the script, but I found a uniqueness in this characterisation which gave me the confidence to do the role. At the end of it all, personally, I feel that this will be one of the highlights of my career," confides Vincent. Thaman Kumar is the hero of Thottal Thodarum, with Vincent playing a hired assassin.

While, Vincent's role in Thotal Thodarum will come up for critical acclaim, the one he plays in director Ramesh Selvan's Thalaivan will take him back into mainstream villainy. "Thalaivan is a proper commercial film with all the right ingredients to warrant such a big budget production. It is a very well-made film in which I play a Don. BAS Bhaskaran in the hero. Ramesh Selvan has etched an extremely powerful character for me which takes me to action in locations such as Goa and Ooty/Coonoor," says Vincent.

Besides Thottal Thodarum and Thalaivan, Vincent has four other films, in almost completed status which will give him a variety of roles. "For instance, in Eppodum Vendraan, for director Sivashanmugham, I play a cameo role of a good cop. In Ennamo Nadakkuthu, director Rajapandi wanted me for a guest role as a boxer; I spar with actor Prabhu. But, there are two other films in which I am doing main villain roles that are ready for release. Director A. Venkatesh has given me a thug's role in Killadi which has Bharat as the hero. In Mayyam Kondein, director Arjunaraja has come up with an interesting script in which I play a village bad man to Dilip Kumar's hero."

Trend cycles

Changing trends do not worry him. Vincent feels that, as in any other industry, trends keep changing and there will always be a cycle. Consequently, in films, villains, heroes and heroines will keep changing their styles to keep with audience demands. "There have been instances when villains took to comic roles, or heroes took to negative roles. Mainstream heroines have done item numbers, too. Clearly demarcated roles are not the order of the day and we as actors have also to understand the needs of the audience and keep re-inventing ourselves. But, when it boils down to hard facts, villains have to beat up the hero and in turn get beaten up."

Does he perceive a change in trend from main stream movies to critically acclaimed small budget films with comedy and romance as the theme? "While that may be the case with so many comedies, romantic films and realistic stories doing the rounds, we must all understand that films are meant to entertain. And, to properly entertain the masses, there must be commercial elements - songs, dances, fights, thrills, good man, bad man, comedian, item numbers, car chases - the works. Obviously, these will be big budget films with big action stars, but these will also be box office successes, giving mass entertainment value. Films are larger than life and so will the hero, heroine and villain be. As long as there are good directors who come up with exciting scripts to portray his film's characters differently, all of us will have our work cut out properly," concludes Vincent Asokan, in a positive frame of mind, as he looks forward to his first Bollywood film with a current favourite director from the South.

Interview: Director Kaushik of Tamil film Adiyum Andamum

Published in The Hindu Cinema Plus

Here is a one good looking director who did not get tempted to act in his own film, despite the fact that his entry into Kollywood was through lead roles and several television serials. "Since 1997 I have acted in four films – Indru Mudhal, Kathal Saregama, Athu Oru Kanakalam, Thoovanam, and the short story series on television, Kathey Neram. But I have always nurtured a desire to direct and having waited many years for the opportunity to come up, I didn't want to make a mess of things by indulging myself to act. Even while acting in films I have always been curious about directing techniques, camera placements, lighting etc and have learnt a lot by just observing and asking questions," says Kaushik whose Adiyum Andamum is releasing on March 14. His stint assisting director Haricharan in a biopic, after his role in the director's Thoovanam, has helped him learn a lot about direction.

The producer and hero of Adiyum Andamum, Ajaay and Kaushik have known each other for some time and when the former launched his own production company in 2010, Kaushik was requested to come up with a script. "Before this I was peddling several ideas to many producers, in vain. When I narrated a basic story line to Ajaay, he immediately showed a keen interest and thereafter, I started working on the script, which eventually became Adiyum Andmum. In Ajaay I found the right actor with the required qualities and temperament, as well as belief in the script. At the end of it all, I must say, that he has brought the character to life, like no other. I think his experience in doing TV serials like Kolangal, has helped a lot. More so, because he wanted to get out of the negative image that was impressed upon him, from the 'Adhi' character in the serial," says Kaushik.

Kaushik is not willing to divulge much about the plot of his film, except to say that viewers will see a totally different side to Ajaay and also identify with the core message of the screenplay. "It is a psychological thriller and, besides Ajaay, the two female characters played by Mitali Agarwal and Kavita Srinivasan are a very integral part of the story. I do not believe in ornamental characters in my films. Of course there will be romance and songs, but these are required to take the screenplay forward to its unexpected climax. When a viewer feels that he has got full satisfaction (paisa vasool) for the 120 bucks he spent on the movie ticket, for me, the film is a commercial success - whether it has item numbers, fights and chases, or not."

Despite the best intentions and sincere efforts, producer Ajaay went through a rough patch half way through the making of Adiyum Andamum, from which he resurrected himself by roping in an investor who came in as a co-producer. "Yes, there was a bit of a delay and during that phase, I was offered another film to direct," says Kaushik who started work on Panivizhum Nilavu.  After Ajaay's project resumed, Kaushik had the tough job of doing double duty to complete both productions simultaneously. "That was a tough period, especially for someone who was directing for the first time. But, the very experience has taught me a lot and I am now ready to take on bigger projects. While I am eagerly awaiting the release of Adiyum Andamum, I am also looking forward to Panivizhum Nilavu hitting the screens, soon thereafter," concludes Kaushik.

Interview: Director Raju of Tamil film Cuckoo

Published in The Hindu Cinema Plus

The call of the kuyil - 'cuc-k-o-o' - has a melody that is so symbolic of the lyrical magic of love. It has a touch of symphony that brings out the tender emotions of togetherness and belonging - that of true love. Such pure love, according to director Raju Murugan, knows no colour or smell. It is all about touch, feel and imagination. For, how else do Thamizh and Swatantrakodi, two visually challenged people fall in love in his tender love story, which he has aptly titled Cuckoo?

"The film is a musical love story between the two who do not allow their handicap to come in the way of their affection for each other. Their visual impairment is not an encumbrance in their life. She is a very confident girl who does not expect any sympathy and he is very humorous and full of life," says Raju. Dinesh (Attakathi) plays Tamizh, an uneducated youth while Malavika Nair (Malayalam film Black Butterfly) plays Swatantrakodi, a college student studying for a teacher's degree. Both the characters are from economically backward communities.

The inspiration for the story of Cuckoo came to Raju Murugan during his days as a journalist with Anandaviketan. "In the course of my work I used to come across scores of interesting people. One such person, was a blind man on whom the character in Cuckoo is based. He used to narrate to me his life, his experiences and the love for his girlfriend who was also visually challenged. For years, this idea has been germinating within me and later, during my three years of assisting director Lingusamy, I had extensively worked on the story. To a large extent it is a true story as it is based on the life of the couple who were so much in love, despite their handicap. But, for cinema, certain liberties have been taken to make it more appealing to the audience," informs Raju.

Initially, Raju had actually presented it to director Shankar who saw a great promise in the script, but was already tied up with Ai to take it up as a project for his S Pictures. "On his suggestion and with a little help from a couple of friends from the television industry, I got the opportunity to present it to The Next Big Film Productions and Fox Star Studios who gave me the go ahead immediately," says Raju.

Raju didn't want big names for his lead roles, but someone who had a bit of experience as well as the talent to grasp the nuances of acting as blind people. "We had a two month workshop when the actors were made to interact with the original couple who were the inspiration for my story. Both Dinesh and Malavika quickly learned the way the blind people move, interact and go about their daily chores. There is another visually challenged couple, Elango and Nandini who act as friends of Thamizh and Swatantrakodi. So when we started shooting, it was quite a breeze for all concerned. More important was to get a cinematographer who understood the need to neither downplay nor glorify the blindness factor. In P. K. Varma I found the right person with the temperament to understand the script. This is his next big one after Attakathi. He has achieved a perfect balance of visual beauty that is so important to the screenplay. Being a musical love story needed the right type of songs which Santosh Narayanan has brought out in his inimitable style," states Raju Murugan who is eagerly awaiting the release of Cuckoo on March 21.

Actor Vishal: Interview

Published in The Hindu Cinema Plus

What is the archetype of a film hero? Swashbuckling, tall, dark, rugged and handsome, brooding looks and a deep, manly voice. Vishal fits into all this, with his swaggering walk and disarming smile. Ideally he should be playing the buccaneering knight in shining armour who rescues a damsel in distress on his white steed or the gallant Romeo who woes his lady love to the ends of the earth. But, Vishal chooses to play a different game, especially in his forthcoming home production, Naan Sigappu Manithan (NSM).

"With Pandiya Nadu, I came out of my comfort zone as an action-oriented, angry young man to a softer character. And, it seemed to have clicked with my viewers. Maybe, my fan base has expanded, too," says Vishal. "Pandiya Nadu has given me the courage to experiment with different roles and when director Thiru narrated to me the story of NSM, I had no hesitation in accepting it."

Unusual subject

Vishal plays a person afflicted by narcolepsy (or hypnolepsy) which is a chronic neurological disorder caused by the brain's inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally. People with narcolepsy often experience disturbed nocturnal sleep (quite often confused with insomnia) and an abnormal daytime sleep pattern. Almost 80% of persons with narcolepsy also has cataplexy which is a sudden occurrence of muscle weakness. In these people, extreme emotions - sadness, anger or happiness will result in instant sleep wherever or whatever situation they are in. Cataplexy without narcolepsy is rare and the cause is unknown.

NSM is all about wishes of a person with this dual disorder. His bucket list consists of several wishes which he wants to attain. Although he is a narcolepsy afflicted person, he is also human and has his desires. In the face of his problems, how does he achieve all this? This situation becomes a great hindrance to the hero's lifestyle - he is unable to undertake any responsibility - that of even walking on the road for fear of falling asleep. How Vishal tackles these situations and overcomes his handicap is what NSM is all about.

"Honestly, I had no clue about this disorder or how a person with it behaves. Thiru had done a lot of research on the subject and I did some Googling too. Hence it was quite a challenge to take it on and enact the scenes," says Vishal. “But it was exciting to do this role and I am sure it will surprise a lot of my viewers. Thiru is attempting a film with an unusual subject for the first time - narcolepsy.  I have known him for many years and, having done two films with him, I am confident of what he can achieve. For me, as well as for him, this was something new and while I had absolutely no reference point for characteristics, Thiru’s research helped.”

Known for his action scenes, for Vishal it is a departure from the norm. "With my earlier films I had established a strong viewership in the second tier markets. When Pandiya Nadu released the film brought in more audiences in the rural areas. NSM is a city-based subject and quite modern in its approach. It is an action thriller with revenge as the main ingredient. In terms of the overall flavour of the film, it will neither be a dark film nor will it be one with messages. In my view, NSM will be a cult film as something like this has not been attempted so far,” says a confident Vishal, who is also the producer of Naan Sigappu Manithan under his own Vishal Film Factory banner.