Buoyant!
S.R.ASHOK KUMAR
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He made the audience sit up and take notice with unusual roles. Jeeva is now ready with two down-to-earth entertainers.
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A hard worker: Jeeva
He entered the scene with ‘Aasai Aasaiyai’ but it was ‘Ram’ that threw the spotlight on Jeeva. ‘E’ showed him up as an artist willing to essay off-beat roles. After nine films, Jeeva, son of R.B.Chowdry whose Super Good Films has accounted for several hits, looks confident even as he is fully immersed in the making of ‘Thenavettu’ and ‘Siva Manasula Sakti.’ Excerpts from an interview.
What actually brought you into cinema? Your father’s association as producer?
His presence helped, yes. But it was never planned. My answer to director Ravi Mariya (‘Aasai Aasaiyai’) when he first asked me if I was interested in acting was ‘no.’ I repeated it to my father when he asked me too. I wanted to go abroad for higher studies. And when I came back I wanted to work behind the camera. Father felt I’d be losing five years and that I could give it a shot as actor and try other areas too. That made sense and I decided to act. What I have realised is that to do justice to acting I need to dedicate all the time at my disposal.
Did you like the experience?
‘Aasai Aasaiyai,’ incidentally, was the 50th film of Super Good Films. On the first day of shooting I was tense. They took me to a temple and I was to see my watch and say a few words. There were nearly two hundred people around and I felt all of them were looking at me. It took me a week to get used to the shooting atmosphere and slowly I became normal.
What was the lesson your first film taught you?
Not only the first film but my second film ‘Thiththikkuthe’ did not do well at the box office. But I took it in my stride. “Your performance is good, but choose the right story,” was the advice I got from well wishers.
Did you expect ‘Ram’ to be such a hit?
No, but I was thirsting for success. So I worked day and night to get the right feel. I did not cut my hair for nearly two years. I was happy that the film was appreciated by the common man and the connoisseur.
Did ‘Ram’ fetch you more offers?
I was one of the spectators at a show in ‘Koothu-p-Pattarai’ when director Sasi saw me with my shaven head (after ‘Ram’) and told me that the getup was good for his next film. He later narrated the story of ‘Dishum’ and I was impressed. Half-way through the film I was involved in our own film, ‘Keerthi Chakra’ in Malayalam (‘Aran’ in Tamil). I was privileged to work with Mohanlal. I’m happy that the film has won a national award.
You think you have arrived?
Well, I think I’m improving with each project.
Of the nine films only fifty per cent is talked about. Why?
I don’t take my first two films seriously. In fact most people think ‘Ram’ is my first film. I’m not worried too much by hits and misses. Age is on my side and I’m confident that I can produce quality stuff.
Do you think ‘Pori’ and ‘Kattradhu Thamizh’ were good too?
I won’t comment on ‘Pori’ but ‘Kattradhu…’ is different. I worked very hard and my talent was noticed. It did not do well at the box office because of the problems between the director and the producer.
What about ‘Thenavettu’ and ‘Siva Manasula Sakthi’?
I was a little hesitant to accept a project like ‘Thenavettu.’ I had not done a full action-oriented film until then. The film has come out very well and I am sure of its success. ‘Siva Manasula Sakthi’ (SMS) is a thorough entertainer. The script has been written that way. When your films don’t fare well, there is always your father to come to your rescue. Right?
It is not like that. Certain films like ‘Rameswaram’ are old commitments which I finished. It is my company too and I work for it. ‘Ram,’ ‘E’ and ‘Keerthi Chakra’ came to Super Good Films through me. The company is producing a film with Cheran and I am acting in it.
Have you thought about ‘Jithan’ Ramesh?
He is my brother and how can you even think that we have forgotten him? I dubbed for him in our production, ‘Madurai Veeran.’ When I direct a film, I’ll rope him in and execute it under our banner.
Now, Vishal is going to direct a movie and ‘Jeyam’ Ravi is also contemplating one. What about you?
If I am going to direct a film, I should stop acting for at least a year. The project should really be worth it… What then is your aim right now?
Take Super Good Films to greater heights and produce movies of a high standard.
When you win an award, which would you put first — yourself or the film? I’m not crazy about awards. I enjoy acting and people should see my films. That is the bottom line.
Jeeva diary
Best films — ‘Ram,’ ‘E’ and ‘Kattradhu Tamizh.’
Good friends — Arya, ‘Jeyam’ Ravi, Karthi, Sandya, Priyamani and Poonam Bajwa.
Best support and good critic — wife.
Films the likes of which I’d love to do — Russel Crowe’s ‘Gladiator,’ Tom Cruise’s ‘MI2,’ and Will Smith’s ‘I am a legend.’ In Tamil, Rajinikanth’s old films such as ‘Dhalapathi,’ Kamal Haasan’s ‘Sathya’ and Karthik’s ‘Mounaragam’ and ‘Kizhakku Vasal.’
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