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Dhanush
is on a roll these days. After the stupendous
success of Thiruvilayadal Aarambam and Polladhavan,
he has repeated his trail of success for
the third time with Padikkadavan. This boy-next-door
is on a freewheeling chat with Behindwoods
wherein he talks about Padikkadavan, his
relationship with Suraj and a host of interesting
topics.
Meet Dhanush, our guest for this week. |
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"My
entry into film was accidental"
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BW:
About your character in Padikkadavan
Dhanush:
It is all about an uneducated boy in an erudite
family-the problems that he faces and how he handles
those- form the film’s content. This has
been narrated in a hilarious manner combined with
the right dose of action. The basic content of
the film is comedy.
About the title
Padikkadavan
Padikaada
Medai was the first title suggested. But the producers
of Padikaada Medai were considering remaking the
same film. The next choice hovered around the
name of the hero ‘Rock’ though his
father had christened him as Radhakrishnan. But
after failing in the 10th standard, he starts
calling himself ‘Rock’ which was also
on the race for the title. But the producer and
director felt that as the story was about an uneducated
boy, Padikkadavan will have a better recall value.
However I hesitated initially but they convinced
me and that is how the title Padikkadavan was
born. Of course it cannot be denied that the title
added to strength of the film.
Did you worry
about your image in Padikkadavan?
No, nothing like it! The character was that of
a ‘boy next door’. An ordinary face
that we come across in our daily lives. The first
half will be like my pervious films Thiruvilayadal
Aarambam or Devadayai Kanden where the comedy
is laced with sarcasm combined with a good number
of dance numbers and musical tracks. Second half
will have the stamp of Suraj’s films like
Marudumalai or Thalainagaram. |
How was it romancing Tamanna?
It
was just like romancing any other heroine.
However as regards Tamanna, she is an interesting
character. She does not take prompting.
So, naturally my comfort level with her
is on the high. Secondly while dancing,
even if she finds the steps difficult, she
does not give up; she practices relentlessly
and gives the best. She has good projects
in hand and I am sure 2009 will turn out
wonderfully for her.
Working
with Vivek
It is the first time that I have teamed
up with a leading comedian like Vivek. He
too worked very hard for this film and has
come out with a different body language
and voice modulation. I am sure his comedy
track will be played again and again in
all the television channels. |
"Tamanna
is
an
interesting
character"
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About punch dialogues in Padikkadavan?
Personally
I don’t think there is anything called punch
dialogue. When some lines in the film are constantly
repeated they become punch dialogues. But in Padikkadavan,
there are not many such one liners. The one thing
that comes to my mind instantly is ‘Ennai
madiri pasangala paatha pidikaadu, paakka paakka
dan pidikkum’. I think it has already become
popular.
Did
you work out physically for Padikkadavan?
No,
I did not do anything like that. I worked out
vigorously for Polladhavan as I had to do shirtless
shots in the film. But I did not want to repeat
immediately in my next film because then it would
be a matter of ridicule and I will be scoffed
at.
Which
is your favorite scene in Padikkadavan?
I
like all the comedy scenes in the film. I enjoyed
doing them; we had a roaring time at the sets
doing these scenes. Two scenes that I like in
Padikkadavan are the scene where I go to college
and the second where I go to see a bride for me.
These two scenes are a total laugh riot.
About
stunt scenes in Padikkadavan
Stunt
scenes in Padikkadavan are hilarious and entertaining.
Unexpected turns and twists in the film make it
all the more enjoyable.
The
scene that you worked very hard in Padikkadavan
I
found the song sequence ‘rose, rose and
rose’ a bit difficult in which I had to
come in different costumes. Yes, this sequence
was difficult.
About
Sun Pictures buying the rights of the film
It
is highly advantageous for the film and the team.
It doubled our confidence in the film and we were
sure that they would take Padikaadavan to every
nook and corner. |
"Suraj
is
a
master of
one
liners" |
Working with Suraj
Suraj
keeps me happy like nobody else and I have
never laughed with anyone else the way I
did with Suraj. He is a master of one liners.
He makes me laugh every 30 seconds. It is
a delight working with him. As soon as possible,
I want to work with him again. As regards
me and Suraj, we have given two hits earlier-
Thiruvilayadal Aarambam and Polladhavan
for me and Thalainagaram and Marudamalai
for him. We hoped that Padikkadavan would
also be a hit and it has turned out to be
a great success. We worked very hard and
our hard work has paid dividends. |
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You have always been doing either comedy
or action films. Are you avoiding other
types of roles?
No, I don’t want to avoid any roles.
Firstly, such script should come my way.
Secondly I want to tread in the path that
has given me success. So I choose such films.
Of course, in future if any project that
excites me comes along, I am not against
doing. The project should be something that
is not tried, something that should give
me scope for performance, and it should
also be heavy. Kaadal Konden was one such
film and for such a film to happen again
in my career, I think I should wait.
Do you think action scenes suit you?
I don’t want to talk about whether
action scenes suit me or not. But I think
what matters is whether those scenes suit
the script or not. Sullan, where I had many
action sequences, may not have done well.
But Polladhavan where I had heavy fight
sequences did very well. So the question
of action scenes suiting me is totally irrelevant.
It should suit the film. That is most important.
On what basis you select your films?
Strong
screen play, characterization and how much
I can relate to the role. These factors
are important. I am not concerned about
story but screen play is important.
Pudupettai was a milestone in your career.
Did you feel bad about its failure?
I enjoyed working in the film. I do feel
bad about its moderate response. I was upset
till critics watched the film. But once
I started getting their reviews, I felt
very proud. |
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Does the success or failure of a film affect
you?
Yes,
I think it affects everyone right from the
producer to the director to the distributor.
It is easy to see the film for five minutes
and say it is bad. But it is difficult to
make a film which will be lapped up by the
audience. It is not easy to predict the
pulse of the viewer. If it can be done,
it is a lot easier. To be a critic is very
simple but to make a film is very difficult.
It is an uphill task to take the paper and
write four scenes that would receive applause.
How do
you feel during the release of your film?
During those days, I feel I should have
taken a different, less taxing office job
and relaxed. Sleepless nights and butterflies
in the stomach happen every time before
the release of the film. It is akin to the
pain of a woman in labor. It is anxiety
at the top order. First, audience should
accept; then the trade and finally the verdict.
Till I hear the verdict as hit, I am not
relaxed. One week before the release and
one week after the release, I am on tenterhooks.
This goes on with every film and it is not
simple. |
"To
be a critic
is
very simple
but
to make a film
is
very difficult"
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"I
don’t have
any
role model" |
Who is your role model?
To
be very honest, I don’t have any role
model. My entry into film was accidental.
I never thought I would be accepted but
somehow audience has accepted me and my
life goes on. Of course over a period of
time I have come to realize the money that
is being put in and the number of families
who are dependent on the success of a film.
So I do take my work seriously and follow
director’s instructions and carry
on.
About your name change from Prabhu to Dhanush
When I entered the industry, there was already
Ilaya Thilagam Prabhu and also choreographer
Prabhu Deva. So I had to change my name.
I was watching Kurudipunal in Sun TV wherein
there was this operation Dhanush which was
going on. I liked the name and christened
myself as Dhanush. There is no astrology
or numerology or anything like that. I am
Prabhu only to my family and close friends.
Of course I do turn and look when someone
calls Prabhu. |
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What about direction?
I am writing a story right now. Of course I don’t
have much time and the situations are not favorable
right now. In fact I am more passionate about
directing. I am sure when the time is right I
will definitely venture into direction.
Will you act in your direction?
No, I will not act in my own direction. But, I
may, only as a last resort. |
Will you be working with your brother Selvaraghavan
again?
Yes.
Our next project is Maalai Nerathu Mayakkam.
Again, I have a very jolly, care free character
in the film. I cannot be always doing roles
like in Kaadal Kondein though I did try
off beat characters in films like Pudupettai,
Adu oru kanakaalam.
Which film of
yours is your brother Selvaraghavan’s
favorite?
Adu oru Kanakaalam. Selva openly appreciated
my performance in the film saying that I have
done 10 times much better than what I did in
his film. Till date, this is the only film that
I have got appreciation from Selva. He has never
even talked about any of my other films.
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"I
cannot be
always
doing
Kaadal
Kondein
roles"
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You were supposed to do a role in Aayirathil
Oruvan. Why did you not do this project?
Yes. I was supposed to do the role. I do not
want to mention the reasons as they are not
very pleasant to hear. I did homework for that
role for four months. It is an extraordinary
character. Even now when I see Parthiban, I
will always say that I would have done better
than him. I say this more out of love for the
role and not out of disrespect for Parthiban.
But when I first saw Parthiban in that get up,
I got the feeling that he would definitely be
a plus to Selva and the film.
About you and
your wife singing in Aayirathil Oruvan?
Yes, a number called ‘un mel asaidan’.
I am sure it would be the highlight of the album.
Can you sing
it for us?
No. The audio is not yet released.
Is it a melody?
No No. It is a western number.
Do you sing
on a regular basis?
On and off. People call me when they want some
odd voice like that of a drunkard’s or
a wastrel’s. In the guise of singing,
I also shout and carry on.
On you being
called ‘Ilaya Super Star’?
I have told my fans not to but they don’t
listen. In fact one of them went unmanageable
to an extent of fasting. I had to call him and
advice. I honestly don’t know how to manage
this.
Status of Malai
Nerathu Mayakkam
We are yet to commence. Script is ready.
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"Anyone
can
become
a hero;
the
best example
is
me" |
Your project with Vetri Maran is getting
postponed. Why?
It
is not getting delayed. Vetri Maran took
one year to complete Polladhavan. Now he
is in Madurai readying the script.
Future projects?
Currently I am working in the Telugu remake
of Arya which is yet to be titled in Tamil.
Yaaradi nee Mohini director Jawahar is directing
this film. 50% of the film is complete.
Shreya is my screen partner for the second
time. Devi Sri Prasad is scoring music.
It will be released in May 2009.
Any message to the viewers?
You should forget a film, the moment you
step out of theatres. Recently I heard a
small boy trying to emulate my character
in Polladhavan. Please don’t. You
should study well and things will automatically
fall into place. Today anyone can become
a hero. The best example is me. You study
and make your parents feel proud of you.
That’s what I call a real heroism.
I tell my fans that they need to first look
after their family and then only other activities.
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Interviewer: Inian
Camera: Hemananth.B
Text:
Jyothsna |
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