How and when did Vamanan happen?

I had completed Chennai-28 and was starting work for Subramaniapuram. I think it was in September 2007 when director Ahmed met me and narrated the story of Vamanan. However, I did not like the story then and was not able to fathom its power. Hence I did not give any answer. Ahmed told me to inform when I am free to do the film and I felt he was a bit pompous too. Later, after I completed Subramaniapuram, my friend Raveendran suggested Ahmed’s story to me and I informed him that I had already listened to the script but felt that

About director Ahmed

Once when I started shooting Vamanan, I began to understand Ahmed better. He has absolutely no airs. He is the most casual director that I have ever come across in my career. Although this is his first Tamil feature film, he is not perturbed by any thing and is always in control of the situation. He is not changed one bit from the first time that I saw him in 2007. That’s when I realized looks are deceptive. Though I agreed to do the film for its storyline, the respect and faith I had on it increased manifold because of Ahmed. He does not hurt anyone and his feedbacks are always well conceived and justified. At the same time, he will also take our ideas if they are valid enough. He has incorporated many of my suggestions in the film.

Your role in Vamanan

In Vamanan, the character I play is very similar to the real me. The transformation was much easier for me. Cinematographer Arvind Krishna was keen to showcase me in a beautiful manner. Both Ahmed and Arvind changed me for the better. The hair style, the beard, the bell bottomed pants, the long collard shirt, the locations and most of all the smile of Subramaniapuram Jai will not be there in Vamanan. Ahmed wanted me to smile differently in Vamanan. He was very keen that there should be absolutely no trace of Subramaniapuram in Vamanan. Though it appeared difficult, it was easy for me to change, thanks to Ahmed and

It is not like that. Venkat Prabhu is my director. In Saroja I was responsible for forming the Chennai-28 group in a scene. When I wanted to feature in just one scene in Saroja, the director said that there was no scope for such scene. I was basically keen to appear in Saroja just like that, not any big role. There were many ideas like to imitate Paruthi Veeran in a bearded get up. Finally on the day of shooting, the traffic sequence where rumor was spreading was conjured. Nithin Sathya, Vijay and everyone turned up with just one phone call. That’s when they shot the

How is Soundarya Rajnikanth as a producer?

She will be at the shooting spot but will not interfere in the working. She smiles while we shoot comedy sequences. Undoubtedly Soundarya Rajnikanth is a big plus point for Goa. She is ever willing to spend money for the film. She has planned shooting spot in Malaysia just because it is rainy season in Goa.

Your transition from music to acting?

I learnt to play keyboard from 1995 to 2002. I come from a family of musicians. Deva and Sabesh Murali are my uncles and Shrikanth Deva and Bobo Sashi are my cousins. When I was going for recording for Shrikanth Deva, I met director Venkatesh who offered me a small role in Bhagavathy as Vijay’s brother. That’s how my acting entry happened in a very casual manner. I did not struggle to become an actor. Playing keyboard was a very cushy job in the sense that I had to sit inside an AC room for eight hours and get back home. Of course, I needed to work hard but it was different from a work of a hero. I have not completely given up music. Even now after I get back from shooting, I play for a while sometimes.

Between my first two films, there was a five year gap. I did not take up any acting assignment because I thought I was not suitable for the job. In this time period, it was Simbu who helped a great deal. He was extremely supportive and gave tips on what kind of films to choose and about all the nuances of the trade. In fact he gave me a small role in Alai but later felt it may not be the right thing to do for me. He advised me from what kind of interviews to give to how I should speak. From the time that I came into the field till date, Simbu is the one who helps me day in and day put. He is very caring too.

After the release of Chennai 28, the first call that I got was from Ajith. He appreciated my performance in the film and conveyed his heartfelt wishes to me. I am sure it is only due to Ajith’s blessings that I got a film like Subramaniapuram. It is his positive vibrations which helped me. Later when I was going through a rough patch in my life, it was Ajith who encouraged and gave me a lot of strength to face things. I owe a lot to Ajith and Simbu who are my pillars of strength.