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Singer Hariharan dons a new avatar in `Power of Women'
S.R. Ashok Kumar
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For me singing is part of acting. Both have an emotional part. But in acting, body language is paramount.
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SHINING BRIGHT: Hariharan relishing his new role before the camera
Chennai:
Singer Hariharan has taken on a new `avatar'— as lead actor in director Jayadevi's latest venture, `Power of women'. With a flowing salt and pepper hair-do and a golden voice, he stands out from the rest of the crowd. Perhaps that was what goaded him to take up that role. The singer recalls his experience as an actor.
I appeared earlier in some films like `Boys' (Tamil) and `Millennium Star' (Malayalam), playing the role of a singer. But I wanted to do more. In `Power of Women' I play the lead character. I got valuable tips in acting and appreciation from different quarters for my performance.
I have not acted in school dramas or television. When director Jayadevi narrated the story a few years ago, I liked the subject and accepted the role. I think acting is tough, as it requires great mental discipline. One can sing in a single shot but performing before a camera means stretching oneself. But I liked it.
The film provided me new challenges. The film's main portions were shot in Canada. I had to walk in a shirt and pant when the temperature was minus 6 degrees. I am no stranger to the place but talking in chaste Tamil was a new experience to me. But I took the challenge in my stride.
For me singing is part of acting. Both have an emotional part. But in acting, body language is paramount. One's expertise can be shown in singing and acting, but I feel acting has a larger area of coverage.
I normally do not take any special care of my voice. Basically it is all in one's constitution. I eat nutritious food and take good care of my health. I drink warm coffee.
I have sung in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Urdu and English (Colonial Cousins). I have sung nearly 700 songs in Tamil and 2,500 songs in other languages, including 30 non-film albums.
My favourite actors: I am a great fan of Kamal Haasan and the late Sivaji Ganesan. I like Rajnikant for his comedy roles. In Malayalam, it is Mohan Lal and Mammooty. In Hindi my obvious choice is Amitabh Bachchan, Pankaj Kapoor, Om Puri and Naseerudin Shah. In Hollywood it is Al Pacino and Robert Di Nero.
My list of favourite singers includes: Mehdi Hassan, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Kishore Kumar, Yesudas and S.P. Balasubramaniam. In English it is Stevie Wonder and Phil Collins.
People ask me whether I will continue acting in films. Certainly, if offered interesting roles. But I won't stop singing. After all it's my bread, butter and life.
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Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
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