That was the reason why ARS, a qualified lawyer, straddled two careers till his retirement as Director with the Simpson Group.
"Now, of course, it is only acting," he smiles. Yet you don't see him in films these days. "Naturally, young heroines need to have young parents ... a few did approach me but I was not keen," he tells you.
Titles, including Kalaimamani, are not new to ARS. His contribution to theatre has been recognised on many a podium. The recent Nataka Ratna is a new feather.
"When those like Nagesh, Khushboo, Sivakumar and Mouli whose appreciation I value, have a nice word to say about me, it adds buoyancy to life," says ARS.
Groomed in YGP's UAA drama troupe, ARS began his stage career with their `Under Secretary.'
He has also directed as many as 10 plays. Even today whenever Y. Gee. Mahendra stages his old plays, ARS joins him.
In tinsel town
After yesteryear director Sridhar first offered ARS a dad's role, many such came his way. "`Raman Parasuraman' was the only film I played villain. I accepted it only for the sake of actor Sivakumar, a friend," he says. ARS has played police commissioner in quite a few films. "It culminated with `Nayakan,'" he laughs.
You wonder how he balanced two careers for years on end. "Don't ask me ... even makers like Bharatiraaja and veterans from Sivaji Ganesan and Rajnikanth have adjusted their time for my sake," ARS recalls. "Sivaji once told me, `If I had your height and colour the world would have been mine.' `But just imagine me sporting a tuft and playing on the nagaswaram you would know where I stand,' I replied. He couldn't control his laughter," says ARS.
Traversing through TV
ARS generally takes up only one assignment at a time. At present, Khushboo's mega `Kalki' has him playing her father-in-law. His comment on the tedium of soaps: "They can't help it because they have viewership that enjoys melodrama in its drawing room — housewives and retired folks in particular. At a Lions' Club Meet a few years ago, people asked me why serials go on and on. I asked them why they continued to watch them. `How can we stop?' was the response," he chuckles and adds: "But making 300 episodes is not a joke. It is business that involves discipline and diligence. It's like an office. And luckily for me the `Kalki' team is wonderful to work with."
So is he justifying the protraction? "No. As a viewer I agree with the general opinion. But as an actor it suits me fine. I get paid for it, don't I?" he guffaws.
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