Playing a Captain's innings
S. SHIVAKUMAR
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Challenges have only made Vijaykanth stronger.
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— PHOTO: Vino John
ACTOR WITH COMMITMENT: Vijaykanth
He is poised to make the transition from cinema to politics, the big event slated for September 14. `Captain' Vijaykanth is the man of the moment and his long innings as the silver screen law enforcer is just about to enter a new decisive phase. He has been working not just on his pitch to the voter, but also his latest grand project, aptly titled "Perarasu."
"Puratchi Kalaignar" Vijaykanth began as a rice mill owner, and luck seems to have played a great role in his reaching the destination — first as an actor and then an aspiring political leader. He was to have been reintroduced as Amritraj in the film industry, but media personnel at a briefing overruled the idea insisting that he was already popular as Vijayakanth. The actor, who has completed shooting for "Perarasu," is busy with his home production "Sudesi." Looking quite relaxed at his Virugambakkam residence, preparations for the party conference notwithstanding, he talks.
Entertainment
As an actor who has played policeman maximum number of times, could the character of a CBI officer in "Perarasu" be any different? "Though CBI is part of the police department it has more powers to investigate crimes. Solving three murders as a CBI official forms the crux of the story and this affords wholesome entertainment," the actor says confidently.
With the movie release pegged close to his party launch, could there be hidden messages? "It is a purely commercial movie with perhaps a few lines having political flavour," he says. "My next venture `Sudesi,' which is a home production, will be equally absorbing. It is based on real life situations. Something on the lines of `Ramana," the actor says enthusiastically.
Fighting spirit
After being virtually written off in his career three times, despite some memorable performances, Vijaykanth has managed to bounce back. "I am a born fighter. Removing me mid-way in my first film actually toughened me," says the actor in typical Madurai accent.
It is no secret that Vijaykanth rarely uses dupes in fight scenes and in the process risks his life and limb. "That I have retained vision in my right eye is a medical miracle. During the shooting of `Kaalaiyum Neeye, Malaiyum Neeye,' an actor opened fire too soon and a metal casket cut my face. I was forced to stay in a dark room for three months. With financiers backing out, my career seemed uncertain," he says.
On the sets of ``Captain Prabhakaran," a rope to which he was bound snapped and his shoulder got dislocated. With both hands tied he screamed in pain, which was mistaken for acting and there was a delay in getting medical help.
"My shoulders have taken the brunt of the assault. That's why I tend to use my legs more in the fight scenes these days," Vijaykanth explains.
Record
Completing 18 movies in a calendar year is no joke. "It was not for any record that I have done this. My reputation is untarnished and I never give the producer or technician anxious moments," Vijaykanth says. The Captain's determination to honour commitments is truly amazing. "I once did fight scenes for two movies — (Kulandai Aesu and Madras Vathiyar) — on the same location with hardly any time for rest. I have completed movies within 21 days and once travelled on a two-wheeler from Salem to Ooty and then to Sathyamangalam forests to keep my word."
Another aspect that the actor is proud about and one that has earned him respect in the industry is the support he extends to new directors.
``Talking about directors, three of them — S. A. Chandrasekar, Ramanarayanan and R. Soundararajan — take liberties with me. After all they shaped my career," Vijaykanth recalls warmly.
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