The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : My aim is to win a national award, says actor `Thalaivasal' Vijay

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Thursday, Nov 02, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

My aim is to win a national award, says actor `Thalaivasal' Vijay

S.R. Ashok Kumar

"When I did not get my break into films I decided to forget about acting for two years. I worked as a marketing executive in Apollo Hospitals"

`Thalaivasal' Vijay

After qualifying from the Chennai Film Institute, `Thalaivasal' Vijay did not straightaway enter filmdom. He tried his hand at various other professions. Only after several disappointments did he enter Tamil films, where he became popular. `Thalaivasal' Vijay talks about his past and his ambition in life.

My first shot was at the film institute where I was doing my acting course. That was through a Michael camera, which nobody uses today. The cameraman was Rajeev Menon, who was doing his second year then at the institute.

I am the eldest son to my parents, and I wanted to become a doctor. My father was a railway officer and they were in Bhilai. I was studying in Chennai, living with my grandmother. I studied in a Corporation School and was unable to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. At the same time my parents were dreaming up something else for me. I did what my family wanted... I got a degree.

Then I did a course in catering technology, I did my postgraduation in marketing management, even worked as a waiter in a Udupi restaurant in Egmore. I also had a stint in choreographer and dancer Chandraleka's troupe. I was also a gymnast.

One day one of my friends suggested that I join the film institute. The fee then was only Rs.450, which, of course, my parents refused to pay. They were ready to give me money to apply for any job, but not to apply to the film institute. With the help of my friends I got the money, applied for the course, and got a seat at the institute. I won a gold medal in acting there.

Raghuvaran and Nasser were my classmates there, Arun Pandian and Ramki my seniors. We were all struggling to get a chance to get into films. When I did not get my chance I decided to wait for two years and forget about acting. I went to Apollo Hospitals and worked as a marketing executive there. My parents were worried that I was drifting and not settling down. I rose to the level of Assistant Manager there. Just before being posted to Delhi Apollo Hospitals, director Selva came up with a serial titled `Neela Mala' and offered me a role in it.

I had lost all my enthusiasm to act. I was nearing 30. So, I told director Selva that I preferred to act only on weekends and that I did not want to quit my job. So, that is how I became an actor. Now, I am a full time performer doing various roles in different films.

I have done nearly 90 movies in all the South Indian languages. In Kannada I did one film while in Telugu and Malayalam I have done five movies. The other films are all in Tamil. I have also done a crossover film titled `Morning Raga' along with Shabana Azmi, which was directed by Mahesh Dattani. I have also done a French film, which was released here. I should have done about eight TV serials.

If I were to show my films to children I would choose to screen `Kaadhal Kottai', `Thalaivasal' and `Kadhalukku Mariyathai'. As for serious films on social issues I would choose half-a-dozen award winning movies such as `Shree', `Kaani Nilam' (which was directed by Arun Mozhi and which deals with farmers' problems) and `Adum Koothu' directed by T.V. Chandran with Cheran and Prakash Raj.

My aim is to win a national award and I am moving towards that goal. The films that I have acted in have got the award but I am yet to get it. This year, I am choosing roles towards that end. In `Bheema' I am doing a good role and in S.A. Chandrasekar's film I am acting in a different role. I am sure I am on the right path. Let us hope for the best.

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