Part 96: So many questions! Imagination never dies!

Let me go back to very nice lines of article about Arvind.

But when he talks about Kajol a smile escapes his lips.” On the sets of ‘Sapnay’, some one had to coax me to talk and someone had to coax Kajol to stop talking talking,” he laughs. “God! She’s live wire- on and of screen.”

These lines always put me into the imagination till today because Kajol is Kenny’s favourite actress in Hindi. Just a thought. If the movie would have made after the release of ‘Sethu’, instead of Prabhu if Kenny played that role? What Kenny would have felt while dubbing for Prabhudeva in the dark room? Seriously I may ask this question to Kenny if he has the time to answer. I know the fact both Kenny and Kajol are livewire on and off screen. If they had acted together how it would have been? Whether Kenny would have been able to fill the innocence that was required in “Vennilave” song? Whether I would be able to accept the climax? Whether the movie “Sapnay” would have been a real dream? Whether Kenny would have accepted the role? How would have been the song “Hoo la la” then?

Let me keep this topic aside. Let me go back to 1989. Kenny was the chosen hero for the movie “Nila penne”, which he could not do just because he got the offer when he was doing the first day shooting of his debut movie “En Kadal Kanmani”. He just couldn’t accept “Nila Penne” with Divya Bharathi as the leading heroine as he didn’t change his commitment like other heroes. He could have accepted the role but then the producers would have been in trouble. Kenny thought about the problems of the producer’s right from his debut. As a result he had put his future in big trouble.

Kenny’s loss was Arvind’s gain. Though ‘Nila penne’ in which Kenny was suppose to act didn’t exactly set the box office on fire but Arvind was noticed and he even got the break to work with Mani Rathnam’s ‘Dalapathi’ and ‘Roja’! Here Kenny’s movie didn’t get complete till the next two years. If Kenny had accepted ‘Nila penne’ then what would have happened?

Once again Kenny was supposed to be the hero of ‘Bombay’. Arvind got selected at the very last moment. What was the trauma and pain Kenny had gone through during that time; it’s only him who knows. We can just feel it and feel sad but it was Kenny who has suffered it all alone. If he would have acted in ‘Bombay’ then? How he would have performed for the songs ‘Uyire’ and ‘Kuchi Kuchi”?

Along with one question thousand questions will arise but no one can give the exact answer. We can just keep them in our imagination. As Kenny’s opinion if he had got the success long back now he would have been vanished. Really? May be because of the possibilities of wrong choices with the success. In his viewpoint he is absolutely right. But our imagination never dies. Isn’t it?

And in the showbiz dreaming never dies. The impression that our industry projects is that of glamour, money, beauty and the parties and the scandals that go along with the territory. Now, that’s a completely distorted image of the industry. Behind the glitzy façade, there are years and years of struggle.

By the way while mentioning about Graphology and Psychology I left one more important thing. Yes it’s telepathy. I don’t know why right from the day I started to read Kenny’s interviews, I was wondering because I always felt that he is stealing my feelings. It was something like he was putting my feelings into words. There was no chasm at all. Each and almost all feelings were same. Or I felt so? But how is it possible? How there can be so many similarities between him and me in our thoughts? How? Whether surely was he the person for whom I was in search of? My sixth sense gave me the green signal. Then he would show my other my friend! I knew it was not Mala or Bina. It was someone else. A lady who’s name will start with the letter ‘S’. Who is that? Where is she from? What she does? Only questions. No answers.

“If someone could answer my question it’s only him. Kenny! How I can reach unto him? Reaching may not a big problem but how can I ask all these things with him? Whether he has the time to listen to my words who is absolute stranger for him? What he may think? Whether he may show my other friend? Whether she will accept me in her life as a friend?”

So many questions. I was totally confused.

I had to confirm that whether he was the person who was supposed to enter in my life or not. But without meeting, investigating, discussing and understanding him it was not possible.

So on that day I took the firm determination to know and understand about the nature of this mysterious person in a much better way. But that day I didn’t know the fact that within the next five days I might get a chance to chat with this ‘Prince’ Chiyaan!

Not only the lack of chasm between Kenny and I later lead to the major confusion but also because of this I found my one more special friend who made me spell bound in a very different way through her action!

But that day (Decemeber 13^th) I never thought the next year on the same date I might speak to my special friends together after the shooting of ‘Anniyan’!

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Part 95: The most valuable tears in the world!

Now let me translate the words of Kenny.

Beginning with Sridhar sir, I have worked till Hari. It feels like I know everything about cinemas, but at the next instant, I feel I know nothing about cinemas. Half our lives will be spent in getting to know whom to believe and whom not to. My greatest weakness is that I believe everyone.

The question that everyone asks me nowadays is “ What is your next film like?” I would like to remain the same as before. Vikram should have both his feet firmly on the ground. It is enough that Vikram’s films are shown in theatres. I need to work only towards this aim. I would like to do many varieties of films. While I would like to do a commercial film, I would also like to do a different film like ‘Sethu’. You may ask what would I do if both these offers come at the same time? If I were to choose any one from these two, my vote would definitely be for a different film like ‘Sethu’. Otherwise O Podu. Even films like ‘Gemini’ would me a place in the hearts of children, wouldn’t it? Films like these have given me many child fans.

Sometimes I feel like doing a movie following Satyajit Ray. But if one film fails, it becomes a question of survival to many families associated with it. So much money and labor of so many people is behind the Tamil movie industry. That is why we cannot afford to be too realistic. As an actor, I yearn for this.

Meanwhile these mass movies are a challenge to me. I like this challenge.

If you notice carefully, the core audience that watches movies has changed. People have started to take great interest in cinemas. To bring them to the theatres, stars are needed. Once they are in, nobody is important. The story and the film are important. The character is important. It has been proved that such movies only can win today. People expect something different. The audience must return home with a good feeling after watching the movie. If you succeed in giving this feeling, it is enough. The Films is a success.

People have started coming to theatres after a long gap. Even theatres like Mayajal, which is in the suburbs is full today. I heard that many people who saw Pithamagan in VCD (are you among the good Samaritans who didn’t watch it on pirated CD) went back to theatres to see it on the big screen. I feel my responsibilities have increased after this. I feel that I should continuously try to give such good films. I prepare myself for each movie thinking that if this doesn’t do well, my career is over.

Tamil film arena is a tricky one. In Andhra you cater to ‘B’ and ‘C’ audiences. In Kerala, it is ‘A’ category of audience. It is not so in TamilNadu. Here, all three categories of audiences are present. A film can succeed only if it manages to reach out all these categories. We have to work very hard to achieve this.

I chose acting profession from the very beginning and came to cinemas. My father used to say that success could be obtained only if we struggle and keep on working. I believe that my success today is because of these.

When there was no shooting, I would practice acting with my friends at home. I don’t know if it has any bearing or not. I always thought that Acting was my duty. Hitchcock has written that an actor’s skills grow if he reads many novels. After reading this, I started reading novels whenever I could find time. Even now, when I am not working, I keep myself amidst all cinema related facts and things. When I choose to portray a character, I don’t perform as is normally seen or heard of.

If you see Pithamagan, I had no dialogues at all. Only sounds. But, I developed different sounds of different animals that would best suit the scene. I don’t know ho many people noticed this. But those who can identify the difference in animal sounds would have noticed.

I try to portray in a new different manner. I learnt this lesson from Picasso. He said, “ I don’t draw what I see; I draw what I feel”. This is the base with which I try to improve the portrayal of my character. As far as other essentials for acting, like, dance and fight, are concerned, I am a bit weak in them. I am not a good dancer or a fighter. I act as if I am one. Sreeman used to say that while they work hard and get the movements by shaking the limbs, I do the same with your face and get the result. This is my gift.

I have a burning desire to act in many new and different roles. But now, I feel that I cannot do a ‘soft love’ character anymore. Today people need characters like Aruchhamy, not an Aiyyo pavam chamy. No matter how hard we try not to molded into an image, we end up, at least in small way, having an image. What to do?

Many people may have different opinions on my acting. Derrence – a roman theatre artiste once said “Many men, many opinion”. I believe in this.

I want to do a musical comedy like Oscar Bright’s Flying down to Rio’.

Oscar Bright was an American actor who was a versatile actor, singer and dancer. When asked what was the boundary of his talents, he said quite clearly that, “I have no desire to prove anything by acting; I just act.” This is Vikram. Vikram will keep on acting.

I must act as long as I breathe. That’s it!”

I was completely dumbstruck. I don’t know how many times I read those lines. Totally speechless. Was he answering to the questions, which I raised with my Kannada lecturer long back? Or he himself was the answer?

Normally if I see the content I can imagine how the art would be. Here too if I read the entire art it is just because of the first paragraph and the first lines of Kenny where he wrote

Can you tell me which are the most valuable tears in the world? Is it the tears of the mother who has found her long lost child? No. Is it the tear of thanks that wells up in the eyes of the person who is given a helping hand at the time of his need? No. Or is it the tear of happiness that appears when love finds its destiny? If you were to ask me these questions, do you know what my answer would be? The most valuable tears are those shed by an artiste who is given recognition by his adoring fans.

Art is the one field where both the takers and givers are not bound by any conditions. Unconditional passion and search can only be classified as Art. At this moment my heart and soul is filled with content as I have been recognized as an artiste.”

My question to Shiv Sir was still in my mind. Kenny’s feel and face was still in front of eyes. I couldn’t find any colourable touch on his face or in his words. One more thing was I was in a position to clearly identify one person’s nature just by seeing their chirography, their statements and by their face. Credit of course goes to my six years working experience in MNC, Media and my interest in Graphology, Human psychology and Philosophy. That’s why I was sure about the words of Kenny.

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Part 94: Goldfish in a bowl existence?

December 13, 2003.

Two issues of two different magazines were on my table. One was July 2000 issue of Filmfare magazine. Another one was December 2003 issue of India Today Tamil version.

Two different articles of two different actors. In fact we can say or rate them as the two most handsome actors of Tamil cine industry. I don’t know whether they met each other in real life or not. But their connection to each other starts long back, right from 1989. In fact among them first actor’s movie I watched in 1994, second actor’s movie in 2003. Almost ten years’ difference. In these ten years so many things have changed, which were truly amazing. I hope you guessed their names right. Yes, they are none other than Arvind Swamy and Chiyaan Vikram!

Just before moving towards to their statements let me recollect the words, which I had told to my Kannada lecturer Shiv Sir.

“I don’t find anyone in the industry who may come unto my expectation. These actors are only greedy about money. They are not here to perform. They just want money and fame not the dedication. They are not even modest or don’t know how to respect others. If those actors have achieved such success that is because of public and they treat the same public and far as outsiders.

Sir! Can you just show me one person, one single person who can say “My heart beats only because of the celluloid or who yearn to be realistic or someone who thinks about everyone related to the film and treats them equally or at least who can say “I must act as long I breathe” Is there anyone? Just show me. That moment I may leave everything to work with him, keeping every comforts (aside) of ,my life aside. Is there anyone? I know there is not hoping for someone itself is hopeless because these stars are just here to gain stardom. Nothing else.”

Now I am coming to the two articles. Just few important lines.

“I’m a part time actor,” says Arvind Swamy who had achieved overnight fame with Roja and Bombay. “Stardom made me very uncomfortable,” confesses the actor “I still haven’t got used to the glare of publicity.”

Right now Arvind is busy putting together a new software company and is also negotiating on a cushy human resources deal involving crores of rupees with US based company “However it’s something that I’m more passionate about than the movies.” he smiles.

I am mentioning the lines, which Kenny wrote in Tamil. Here is the translation.

Me… till date (Title of the article)

One of the leading artistes who have given us continuous flow of hit films, Vikram writes about his films, acting experiences, roles he would like to portray.

Cinema is everything to me. But I am unable to express the intensity or the love that I have for cinemas. Such is the intensity of my love. My heart beats only because of the Celluloid.

I was totally surprised by the last line. The one and only one actor who uttered that line so far in my experience. Again coming back to the lines by the article related to Arvind.

In a recent interview, the actor mentioned that he found stardom to be an encroachment on his privacy. “I never could use to the limelight. Every time I’d walk into a room,500 pairs of eyes would be boring into me. I’d cringe. I’m also ill at ease doing that ‘I-me- myself’ routine with the media. And it certainly takes all the king’s men and the king’s horses to get me to do photo sessions.” Arvind loves his daily nine to five routine in the office, which he heads.

Now the translation of Kenny’s words.

Ten years before, I would become emotional, even if somebody called out, “ Hey! That is Vikram!!” behind my back, recognizing my face in the crowd. But today, I have to hide whenever I go out. Fred Allen’s words are coming true in my life. I am in every Tamil Film Fan’s heart. What a great opportunity god has given me! I am content.

Frankly I didn’t have any words when I read these lines. I didn’t know what to say. Going back to art about Arvind Swamy.

“I wish I’d managed to get comfortable with the medium. No. I have nothing against the movie folk. But when you aren’t involved in films on a day-to-day basis, then making conversation with those who are becomes increasingly difficult. They won’t discuss computers and I know nothing of the current trends in films,” he shrugs. The uncertainty and the chaotic working gets me. My interest in a project dwindles of it’s not completed within a certain time frame. The fluctuations of the film trade bug me. Other businesses are far more steadier. I’m quite happy being a businessman. Not everyone needs to have goldfish in a bowl existence.”

Yep. Arvind had made his choice. I respect it.

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Part 93: Dont Judge Me If You Dont Know Me

Nearly after a week my article on the Pithamagan movie was published on a daily and created lot of buzz. I had mentioned a line saying that this movie will fetch national award for Vikram.

My brother raised a question with me that even without having seen a clip or a trailer of the movie how I could can expect it... I replied saying I just followed what my heart said.

Surprisingly I had to travel to Coimbatore a week before the release of Pithamagan. And as I expected the expectations from the movie were sky rocketed. I couldn’t stay there till the movie release. Had to return.

And finally I got a chance to watch the movie in Mangalore. When I was watching I just started to feel what is going on.. The sole purpose of Bala to make Pitamagan seemed to give Vikram a new image. I felt like movie is not up to the level of my expectation. My brother was pulling my leg. Movie was moving and the scene passed where Surya’s role gets murdered. And even the next scene where Chittan’s first reaction after seeing his friend’s dead body also a step below from my actual expectation.. It is just because I was looking for that award winning moment in the movie.. And finally when I watched the scene where he gets afraid after looking at Skull of his friend it was completely beyond my expectation and imagination..

No doubt! Clearly a masterpiece and a cut above the rest among all artiste's performance. He did not utter a dialogue in the film but made each and everyone to talk about his performance worldwide. Bankably the actor willing to experiment in this new role has emerged triumphant. He is first class as Chittan, a role in which any other actor would have looked like a caricature. Without any dialogue to support him he carves a niche for himself in the viewer's mind with his expressions and excellent body language. When you are looking at the screen, its only Chittan that you could see, Vikram just doesn’t exist in the film.

My brother said I think this movie will get him national award... I was just quite.

Films are a medium of entertainment ,are they not, I see life every day, therefore if I pay money and sit in one dark corner of a theater , I prefer to isolate my self from the rest of the world for next 3 hrs and watch something that , I will never get to watch in real life.. that’s exactly how I used to feel, isn’t that what a film is suppose to do to you, weave a fairytale around you and take away your worries for those 3 blissful hours – Wrong!! that’s entertaining cinema at best, responsible cinema- I guess not, if that film has not changed you in anyway by the time it gets over, its pointless and a wasted medium.. entertaining, definitely but Value Driven –absolutely not.. its not that I have something against the escapist cinema, I have been bought up on a staple diet of such films, but once in a while I love watching the multi layered film with a social message , because they are reassuring , telling me-“Son! all is not lost we still exist, outnumbered and lurking in shadows of so called mainstream film, but we are alive.. so have some faith!!” Films communicate to me and I have learned to listen to them.

PithaMagan was a film which very cleverly walks a razors edge between the thinking mans Cinema and film for the masses, and succeeds in doing so.

Moreover it also reminded one more beautiful lesson of my life.. That is

Dont Judge Me If You Dont Know Me!