"NAZRIYA IS VERY TALKATIVE", VAAYAI MOODI PESAVUM ACTOR ABHINAV
Interview Team : JyothsnaHe is the overbearing and domineering lover of Nazriya who is keen that she wears contacts instead of spectacles and dictates terms to her. Meet Abhinav who played the dictatorial role of Vinodh in Balaji Mohan’s Vaayai Moodi Pesavum.
In an exclusive interaction with Senior Editor Jyothsna Bhavanishankar, Abhinav recounts his road to Vaayai Moodi Pesavum, director Balaji Mohan, Nazriya, Dulquer and his popular web series “Happy to be Single”.
PHOTOS & STILLS - GALLERY
Initial years
I am a Tamilian born and raised in Chennai. I completed my schooling in SBOA, Anna Nagar, topped my class in 12th and joined SSN, Chennai in Electronics and Communication branch of engineering. After graduation, through campus recruitment, I was placed in a consultancy firm where I worked for 2 years. I quit my job later as I was interested in theatre right from my early days and wanted to pursue a career in it.
I was interested in theatre right from my early days
Theatre, Aadhalal Kaadhal Seiveer
I did a theatre mentoring course in Evam, the theatre group from Chennai and also did an acting course in Alchemy, Adyar. Later I decided to try my luck in films directly and started circulating my photographs to different agencies. That’s when I got an offer in Aadhalal Kaadhal Seiveer. It was a two day shoot which involved me proposing to Manisha before the introduction of hero. I finished the dubbing too but it was edited out in the final cut.
Short films
Meanwhile I started doing short films and Evam’s plays. Parallely I had associated myself with theatre workshops and events associated with it. I was also getting anxious if the decision to quit my job was right or not. In films I was getting roles but they were not substantial enough and lacked an individual identity.
Madboys Entertainment
At that point in time, me and my friend Shreekarthick decided to start something on our own and started making short films under our banner Mad Boys Entertainment. We did ‘Happy to be single’–five episodes, a promo song and also a music video. We approached many celebrities like Venkat Prabhu, Karthik Subbaraj, Balaji Mohan, and Madhan Karky to get their bytes before releasing in a big level. All of them liked our work and were much encouraging. When the series got released, it got a good response from all the media.
How did Vaayai Moodi Pesavum happen?
I had met Balaji Mohan in the alumni meet of SSN College. Later I approached him to get his bytes for my short film. He had also seen the short films that I had acted. That’s when he asked me if I would do a role in his film. He said that my role (in the film) is not a miniscule one and that certain things will happen only if my role was there. I am a big fan of his short films and when he asked me, I immediately agreed and said that I am ready irrespective of the role. That’s how I came on board Vaayai Moodi Pesavum.
I am a big fan of Balaji Mohan's short films
Balaji Mohan and my role in Vaayai Moodi Pesavum
There was no audition for my role. Balaji Mohan told about my role, its duration and asked for my assent. That was a pretty new experience as I have always been auditioned even for a very small role. I asked him if my role was a negative one. He said that my character is not inherently negative but a bit possessive. But out of the three characters- Anjana, Arvind and Vinodh- Vinodh is negative. He also told me about the second half twist. I was quite excited about the whole thing. When I questioned him about audition, he said that since he has seen my short films, I can directly join the shoots. I was quite thrilled.
The Vaayai Moodi Pesavum experience
It was a 55 day shoot at Munnar. I was there for 3 weeks in intermittent duration. It was good working with Balaji Mohan. He is very calm and would extract the work that he requires. I am quite proud to have been associated with a film that is very intelligent.
Balaji Mohan is very calm and would extract the work that he requires
Malayalam
Balaji Mohan asked me to do the Malayalam version also. I did not know Malayalam but managed to mouth my lines. Of course ADs were there and they helped me out.
The first shot
My first shot required me to talk to Nazriya in her consultation suite. People were wondering who is this new guy sitting beside Nazriya. Nobody except Balaji Mohan knew me at the sets of VMP. I was very nervous but managed to deliver in 2-3 takes. The Malayalam version took a couple of more takes. After I finished my first shot, Balaji Mohan congratulated me. From the second day, it was a relaxed ambience for me.
Nobody except Balaji Mohan knew me at the sets of VMP
Working with Nazriya
For the first two days, I did not have shots with Nazriya but I used to hang out in the shooting spot. At first she did not realize that I was to act with her. After she knew, she got very friendly. Nazriya is very talkative.
Nazriya is very talkative
Dulquer Salman
Dulquer is very friendly. My first scene with him was the one where he would hide behind the screen. He came to me and involved me in small talks. He also gave tips. He said that he was trying to rush through his emotions in his first film and advised me to not do that. As it is a silent film in the second half, if the emotions were rushed through, it will not be conveyed properly. After seeing the film, he said that my ‘irritated’ character had come out well. He also advised me to sign good projects.
Dulquer also gave many tips
Editor
When we were shooting, we used to shoot a lot. But Editor Abhinav Sundar Nayak had just retained what is absolutely essential for the scene. 2nd half, despite having no dialogues, was easy to follow and was simple, thanks to Abhinav Sundar.
Feedback for VMP
After seeing the premiere, many seniors in the team had good words about my performance. Kali Venkat appreciated and said that I did not look like a debut artist at all. R J Ramesh also liked my work. Best were from music director Sean Roldan and his wife. Once the film was released, Arjun (from VMP) and Dulquer congratulated me. Balaji Mohan said, “I am more than satisfied”. Cinematographer Sounderrajan felt that my character registered in his mind and travelled with the entire length of the film.
Balaji Mohan said, “I am more than satisfied”
Are you like the Vinodh in real life? How overbearing are you in real life?
Everyone goes through change in life. I can’t say I am overbearing in real life. I would not comment about the lens and such stuff even to my close friend. I don’t smoke and am a teetotaler. So I tell my friends to go a bit slow when they go overboard. In that sense I can relate to Vinodh. When I have to put my foot down for some genuine reason, I would do it.
As regards expecting Nazriya to wear what I give, I can recall an event. I have told my friends to not wear a particular dress as it did not suit. I have done it in my college days. Now, I don’t react to such things.
Any memorable incident involving Nazriya during the shoot?
The regular rag sessions were always there. On the final day of shoot, she got the entire unit ice cream. When a shot is over, she will go to her caravan. But in between shots, she will be her talkative best pulling someone’s leg.
In the film, I will bring my parents for a couple of scenes. So she used to tease me as cry baby and pull my leg saying that I can’t do anything without my parents. As it is my first film, everything in general was memorable.
Nazriya used to tease me as cry baby
Balaji Mohan
I like all of Balaji Mohan’s short films- Mittai Veedu, Kaadhalil Sodappuvadhu Eppadi. He is one film maker I really like. I am glad that my screen debut was with a director I look up to. It would be nice to be associated with him in future too.
I am glad that my screen debut was with a director I look up to
Doing negative roles
I am open to doing negative roles too. Friends feel that I can carry off the ‘cool’ look as well as the ‘cunning’ feel. I am open to doing any powerful roles.
I am open to doing negative roles too
Did you dub your lines in Tamil and Malayalam?
I did dub in Tamil but not in Malayalam. As I am learning Malayalam, I will be able to speak my lines in my next film.
What are your other endeavors?
Under Madboys Entertainment, I am also doing TV commercials with my friend Shreekarthick who is an actor cum director. He has acted with Nayanthara in Arrambam. As regards me, I am an actor and a wannabe producer. We use our skills to complement each other. People are asking for season 2 of ‘Happy to be single’. We are also done with scripting for our next feature film. We are hopeful of starting that project soon.
People are asking for season 2 of ‘Happy to be single’
Is it acting or directing or commercials for you?
Acting always stands first in my list. When I am not shooting, I would like to focus on my other interests. I would like to learn all aspects of film making and want to stay on in the field.
What about Malayalam?
I am open to doing Malayalam films also. I am learning the language now. For someone who did not know the language, I have done decently well I and it has given satisfaction and confidence to me.
I am open to doing Malayalam films also
Have you signed any project?
I am in talks with some. It will get confirmed soon.
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