Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

From schoolteacher to character artiste

S.R. Ashok Kumar

My main aim is to be an actor-director like Raj Kapoor. Till now, this dream is still distant.

Actor Rajesh.

Rajesh has just completed more than 25 years in films having done roles ranging from a hero to a character artiste. He is one of the few actors in the Tamil film industry who can talk about world cinema in general and about popular filmmakers who have made historic movies. Rajesh talks about his younger days and about his favourite films.

I was born in Mannarkudi but we hail from Aanaikadu in Pattukottai district. I studied in Dindigul, Vadamadurai, Melanatham and Aanaikadu. After finishing my PUC in Karaikudi Alagappa College, I graduated from Pachaiappas College. I worked as a teacher in St. Paul's High School and later at Kellett Higher Secondary School, Triplicane from 1972 to 1979.

I used to visit my cousin `Udhirippookal' Mahendran and he would ask me to see more films if I wanted to enter cinema. I have seen all films of Balraj Sahani, Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor. In 1974, I got a chance to act in the film `Aval Oru Thodarkathai'. But I was not able to act in it.

I got my break with `Kanniparuvalile' (1979) produced by Rajkannu and became popular from the film `Andha 7 Natkal' directed by Bhagyaraj. My reputation grew when K. Balachandar called me for `Achamillai Achamillai'. The chance I missed in 1974 I got back in 1984.

I have done more than 150 films including two in Malayalam (`E City' with Suresh Gopi directed by I.V. Sasi and `Abimanyu' with Mohanlal directed by Priyadharsan). In both films I did the role of a Tamilian speaking Tamil dialogues.

My favourites include `Kanniparuvethile', `Antha 7 Natkal', `Achamillai Achamillai', `Alayadeepam', `Sirai' and `Autograph'. I follow MGR, Sivaji Ganesan and M.R. Radha in both acting and in personal life. I like the acting of Kannamba, Savithri, T.S.Balaiah, Ranga Rao and Nagesh.

Now I am also a builder, a real estate businessman and a hotelier. But in my heart I remain an actor and want to perform different roles. My aim is to be an actor-director like Raj Kapoor. Till now, this dream is still distant. I am trying to do it as soon as possible. That is my ambition in life today.

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