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.

**************