He is one actor in south, who realises the importance of marketing and promoting his films. Vikram’s perfection lies in his ability and expression to re-invent himself, every time he embarks on a new mission. Be it a film shoot or interview-he wants to add that something unique to everything he does.In a freewheeling chat with Sridevi Sreedhar on the eve of the release of his new film PVP cinemas Rajapattai, Vikram opens up. Excerpts
Are you tensed?(Laughs) Not at all. In fact, I’m too excited and proud.Can’t wait any longer for the release and the magic to unfold. I can promise you that it’s a 2 hour 7 minutes of pure entertainment with all the masalas in the right mix.
How different is Rajapattai from the normal mass masala commercial potboilers?After doing serious films like Raavan and Deivathirumagal, I wanted to do something light, funny and totally entertaining like Dhool and Saamy. That’s when I met Suseenthiran, who narrated this script to me and the first thing that struck me is Wow! But trust me, I worked very hard and it was not easy like I thought (smiles).
Rajapattai is a visual treat with land grabbing, a topical subject as the base.There are no comedians but there is an undercurrent of comedy throughout, there is action, romance and the relationship between my character and K Viswanath, who plays an important role, is the emotional angle to the story.
What’s your role?I play a common man Anal Murugan a gym boy who dreams big, of becoming a villain in cinema. There are no punchlines, I’m not a superhero and in fact I get beaten up couple of times. The best thing about the film is the logic behind every scene. Suseenthiran is a good film maker and he visualises each and every scene before the shot.
You shared a great rapport with Suseenthiran?I loved all his films especially Naan Mahaan Alla and Azhagar Samiyin Kuthirai. There is his signature in every frame along with usual mass masala gimmicks like any other commercial films without tampering with logic. He has an immense amount of passion and dedication for work. To have someone like him as director inspires you to work even harder and give your best. He gave me complete freedom and it was lovely working with him.
You sport different looks in the film?It’s not a deliberate attempt to sport different looks. I have 17 looks and they are very important to the story and it is set in a filmi background. In one song,heroine Deeksha dreams about me in different villain looks.
People seem to like your chemistry between Deeksha in the promos of the film?She is very promising actress and in one of the songs Paniye Panipoove.. shot in Italy, she looks ravishing like a goddess.
How do you prepare for a role?For me, the most crucial aspect is the sessions I have with my director before the shoot starts. I sit with my director and brainstorm, I give my suggestions and that’s what I call the home work. And when the actual shoot starts, I completely surrender to my director and I become a directors’ actor.I never interfere and all my directors have been wonderful people, who know their job.
The audio is a big hit. Which is your favourite song?My personal favourite is Podi Payyan Polave among the four songs. I loveLaddu Laddu Rendu Laddu,(laughs) not because I sung it but for the energy and the positive vibes I shared with Reema and Shriya during the shoot. Shobi master has choreographed all the songs and the Italy songs will be a major highlight.
The glam quotient is high with three hot girls shaking a leg with you?What’s life without colour and spice? We love masala in our food or films. But, including Reema, Shriya and Saloni was again a part of the script, not any last minute decision. It was fun shooting the song with them in Italy.