ART DIRECTOR RK VIJAIMURUGAN INTERVIEW

Thotta Tharani and Sabu Cyril are responsible for art direction being recognized and given its due. After they came in, art work began to come to the fore. Now people are aware of our work.  

It’s all because of Milton! He first started Golisoda with a trial shoot and one day frantically called out to me for some help. He had to shoot in a place on a particular day but the place was not ready. He wanted me to ready the spot. After I understood his needs, I readied the spot with available resources. He was able to carry on with his work and was thankful and was appreciative of a technician’s value. He wanted me to come on board as art director for Golisoda but I declined as I was working in Ivan Vera Maadhiri then. All the same I told him that I would be willing to help him.

Next day, Milton invited me to his sets just to watch the shoot and I did that. A few shots were being canned under fight master Supreme Sundar who came to me after a while and said that there is an important role in the film that the director wants me to do but is quite hesitant to approach me directly. I had no such desire any time in my life and I declined.

Later during lunch with Milton, he again pressurized me into taking up the role. It so happened that they had shot me without my knowledge and Milton showed the clippings and said that this is what he wanted for his character. He had observed me and felt I would suit the role well. He was also being flexible saying that I can shoot at my convenient time and that there would be no pressure. He was very persuasive and handed the script to me.

The script impressed me to work as an art director. I am always in search of something new. I don’t need ten houses or ten wives or ten servants behind me but I need ten good films at the minimum to proclaim my name. I thought about it. It was a good script, good character and also a friendly director who is willing to give me lot of flexibility. So, why not?

I had made up my mind but did not tell Milton. I came home and discussed with my wife. She was completely against my acting and said NO.  After few days Milton said that he has finished all other portions except mine. Finally I went to the shooting spot but told Milton that we would just try and if things don’t work out, we can always try someone else.

At the sets, people kept clapping for whatever I did and I was sure they were making fun of me. I told Milton that even if he had made some corrections in my performance, it was OK but to cheer for every action of mine with a ‘super’ was something hard to buy. I thought they were all having fun at my expense. But Milton said this is what he had expected, not a notch above, not a notch below. That’s how my acting began.

Of course there were some minor struggles but I managed and people liked my work. Generally women don’t like villains but many women liked my performance. My wife who was against my acting, also liked my performance. It is important that my work reached the audience. There was much appreciation from media too. I am happy.

Yes, I am doing a very important role in the film and most of the shooting is complete. 

I have no plans to change as such. I am getting quite a lot of opportunities to act now which I did not get earlier. All the same, I would only do good characters and not everything that comes my way. Even if it is just four scenes, my role should powerfully register in the minds of the audience. That’s what I am looking out for. 

I am fortunate to have worked with directors like Karthik Subbaraj, Milton, Saravanan and Parthiban. I was first inspired by Bharathi Raja and I am thankful to all my directors. If it had not been for them, I would not be in the position that I am today.  

Here is wishing Vijaimurugan all the very best!