"An Interview with Actor Vijay"

       Every film has to be approached with fear in the heart". - Vijay.
On our way to interview Vijay at the 'Badhri' sets, we chance to see the posters announcing the one hundredth day celebration of 'Priyamanavale' and the successful run of 'Friends'for twenty five days.

Has Vijay assumed Viswarupa? At the moment, Vijay's image has grown very high because of the continuous release of three successful films, namely, Kushi, Piriyamanavale and Friends, that too, within a short span of time. Coming back with a bang has become Vijay's style.

We are on the dot at the shooting spot of 'Badhri'. The film unit is in a relaxed mood until the arrival of Vijay. It becomes busy the moment the hero has arrived. Vijay exchanges pleasantry with all those who have assembled there.

The shot has been made ready. In the scene, Monal rejects the love of Vijay (as the film is a 'remake' we do explain the scene in all its details).

Silently, Vijay accepts that he is in love with Monal. But Monal turns down his love for her on account of the difference in status that exists between them. She scolds and chides him too. But Vijay is not taken aback. He gives suitable rebuff to her.

While the scene was being shot, we could understand as to what makes him so famous.

The scene needed three takes, as Monal was not fluent with her Tamil, but Vijay was not at all distracted. He was focused to the perfection of his part. He utters his dialogues to himself. He comes round Monal and rehearses his piece of action. He is in all seriousness inside but he conducts himself in a calm, cool and collected way. There is clarity in his words and deeds. He wears a handsome expression in his face. He displays his involvement in full, in the task assigned to him.

We were happy to see his wonderful acting talent. When the scene was done, he made him immediately ready for the interview. Pat came the pithy replies when we shot our questions to him. They were short, crisp, straight and to the point. Therefore it became easy for us to get replies for 16 questions.


Q: What do you feel about featuring in the three hits, Kushi, Priyamanavale and Friends?
Vijay: I must thank you alone first for the same. There were several factors for the success of those films. The stories selected by me were good, the Directors to whom those films were given in charge were highly capable, the Producers were prompt in delivering the goods and the fans were appreciative in receiving those films well. Whenever I choose a story I would bank on it only when it creates a special feel inside my mind. As the viewers could also feel the very same emotions, which I felt beforehand, I was in a position to give those three successful films.

Q: Have you been forced to figure in success films, as a matter of pressure, because of the failure of the film, 'Kannukkul Nilavu'?
Vijay:Well said. Surely, it was a pressing situation. I had pinned my hopes on 'Kannukkul Nilavu'. When it backfired, I was in dire need of a successful film immediately. Indeed every actor would expect a successful film of his as and when a film of his meets with failure. It's quite natural!

Q: Comedy was the highlight of 'Friends'. The audience enjoyed the effective comedy dished out by the film in the theatres. Did you enjoy the comic scenes during the shoots themselves?
Vijay:By all means, we also enjoyed the comic scenes on the sets, but we could not enjoy in equal measure to the extent enjoyed by the viewers in theatres, because we, the performing artistes should exercise much care about the dialogue, timing sense etc, while displaying our acting talents. When we identify ourselves with the characters we play and become one with them, there is no way we can enjoy even the finer points such as comedy. All our attention would be focused while acting, on doing the bits correctly. Yet I could enjoy the comic very well like the others in theatres.

Q: Is there any dearth of good story in Tamil? Why do you select stories from other languages? Is there any particular reason?
Vijay: These things happen on their own accord. It so happens. That's all! My previous hits, 'Kadhalukku Mariyadhai' and 'Ninaithaen Vandhai' were also remakes. Sometimes, I would be working along with new Directors, continuously. Likewise, this has turned out to be a season for remakes. But I have not planned to act in remakes only. I don't think it is a mistake to act in remakes. In a way I contribute to the languages of Tamil by bringing in certain successful film stories of other languages into Tamil film land. I hope this is a healthy sign.

Q: What are your views about your friends?
Vijay: Everybody will have one bosom friend at least. He can't be deemed as a human being at all if he does not have even one close friend. I do have five intimate friends at least. Their comments would be correct and to the point. I have come across people who eulogise me, during previews. My friends are not like them. They won't praise me pointlessly. In case my performance is not good, they would insist me to change my style. Usually, they pass on correct judgments. One cannot talk freely with his own parents but one can reveal all his thoughts to one's friends. I always open my mind to my friends. I consider myself lucky in having some good friends.

Q: What kind of impact does your success and failures make on the people of your household?
Vijay: No family would ever be glad over the failure of any one of its members. Our household would also wear a desolated look and remain grief-stricken whenever a film of mine flops, but normally would return to normal after a week's time. Slowly, my people would motivate me hiding their sorrow within themselves. They would also draw my attention to the minus points of the film.

Similarly, our gaiety would know no bounds whenever a film of mine makes its grade. The successful run of my film is a tonic to all of us.

 Q: Serial Victories increase the expectations of the fans more and more. Whether this trend gives you a pleasure or a pressure? 
Vijay: One, nurses fear in the midst of happiness. When you hog the limelight with a hit film, your fans automatically expect more from you. We can't just stop them. So an actor has to pay his full attention to every film of his. I am also reasonably caution in this respect. "Badhri" would be my next film. I am taking utmost care about the way in which the film takes shape.

An interview with popular star Vijay

         He comes from a privileged background for his parents, S. A. Chandrasekhar and Shobha, are producers, directors and writers in their own right. So when he joined films it was through his home production. His parents were not initially happy with their sons decision to take up acting as a career. Vijay recalls how he had to leave home to prove a point. Even then the going was not easy. The critics didnt take to him kindly in his first film. It was sheer determination and hard work that has helped Vijay carve out an enviable slot for himself. And when Vijay got married to Sangitha, the fan who stayed on to become his wife, rumour-mongers started spreading vicious gossip. That Sangitha had a child from an early alliance and that Vijay had committed suicide. Vijay then had cut short his honeymoon and arranged a press meet. "We are blissfully happy. Nothing is wrong with out marriage. I winder why the press doesnt clarify the matter with the concerned people," said he.

This was the second important press meet the actor had arranged to set matters right. The earlier one was when he had had an accident while performing a stunt scene in Priyamudan. As he was recuperating from a back injury, rumours spread in the press about how his career was kaput, and that he had better pack his bags and leave. It was also written that Vijay was in love with a co-star and that his parents had kept him under house arrest. A visibly hurt Vijay, normally a reserved, restrained person had then met the press promptly. With a chit in his hand, and still not completely recovered, the actor had then point by point refuted the various allegations against him. The press sure knows how to bring a shy-with-the-press actor out in the open and on the defensive!

Vijay Face to Face

Q: You come from a privileged background. Your entry must have been very easy.
Vijay: Since my parents were in films, no doubt I had an easy entry. But even if my father had not introduced me I would still have entered the line. I had a lot of confidence in my ability to deliver the goods if given the chance. Only thing is that it would have taken me a few more years to make my entry.

Q: Who was your inspiration, which actor attracted you?
Vijay: I had no role model as such. Every artiste has his own plus ad minus points. An artiste only in a particular scene or when he is good at a certain point inspires me. Like Vijaykants fight scenes. He does it so well and such scenes inspire me. Or a scene where dialogue has to be thrown in a very taunting, irreverent way. There is no one to beat Satyaraj in that. So I do take inspiration from them, and then work it out in my own style.

Q: How do you choose your roles? The director/banner matters to you?
Vijay: The director, banner is secondary to me. My first priority is the story. Only if I like it, do I go into the other aspects, like the director, heroine, banner, etc. I have worked in new banners and under new directors when their stories had interested me.

Q: How do you rate yourself as an actor?
Vijay: People do appreciate my fights, my performance, though I myself dont feel I have achieved much. Ill give myself ten marks out of hundred if I rate myself.

Q: Are you still interested in doing two-hero subjects? You were reportedly put off by your early experiences.
Vijay: I have no hassles doing a film with another hero. Provided the subject interested me and the role was good.

Q: After Rajinikant and Kamal you are the one in the next enviable position. How do you feel about it?
Vijay: I fell very happy. And grateful to all those distributors and producers who have put their faith in me. But comparing me with Rajini and Kamal I feel a little embarrassed by it. They have achieved so much. I still have a long way to go.

Q: How do you manage to stay away from scandals?
Vijay: There is no conscious strategy. But I as a newcomer did face this in my earlier days. Gossips about my affair with some heroine. But I didnt react to them then and they died a natural death.

Q: You are supposed to be one of the highest paid stars. What have you to say about the skyrocketing star price?
Vijay: It was after Kadhalukku Mariyadhai that these rumours started that I was charging astronomical rates. I want to clarify here that I have not entered this field for money. I am the only son, and my parents have made enough, and I dont have to struggle and earn my bread. I want to earn popularity, fame, and audience approval. Money is only secondary.

Q: Who has been the most influential person in your life?
Vijay: My father - in all respects, personally and professionally, he has been the greatest influence in my life.

Q: But its said that he was a little overprotective about you.
Vijay: Nothing of that sort, I should say. Being their only son, it was but natural that they be concerned about me. But they never forced their ideas or opinions on me that would have stifled my growth.

Q: Talent, hard work and luck. Which do you consider as the most important for an artistes career?
Vijay: Talent and luck I would rate at 50-50 for an artistes growth. Hard work is necessary no doubt. But without luck and the talent to back you up, all the hard work would go waste.

Q: Negative criticism, how does it affect you?
Vijay: I dont take it very seriously. But there was a time when a part of the media, was very harsh on me. When I had that problem with my back and was recuperating. They said that that was the end of me. There were other nasty rumours too. So I make it a point to clarify my stand with the press. They have been to a large extent instrumental in my success and have supported me all along. But thats all a thing of the past and I hold no grudge.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
Vijay: I have worked hard to reach this position. I have to maintain it. I have to work on how I should consolidate it. I cannot afford to be complacent, for it is a competitive field. I cannot let down my fans, who have put so much faith in me and my producers who have staked so much money on me. The respect and popularity that I have earned is tremendous. I try to do a variety of roles today. But I have realised that at the international level it is the action hero who commands more clout. So whatever roles I do today, I will definitely do at least one action oriented role a year.

Q: You did start as an action hero. Somewhere along the way you changed track.
Vijay: It is true. Then came Poove Unakkaga where I had this soft role. The film and my role were appreciated. Then, all the films that came my way were similar ones. I did do Selva an action oriented film. It didnt do well, so people never knew about it. My next success was again in a soft romantic role, Love Today. So people got this general impression that I was doing only the softer kind of roles. That was the reason I chose an anti-hero subject like Priyamudan.

Q: How do you react to success and failure?
Vijay: I react the same way to both success and failure, because these things are not in our hands. I do my part to the best of my ability. The rest is in the hands of the audience So, I dont worry much when my films flop nor get unduly excited when they are successful.

Vijays forthcoming films are Khushi where he is paired with Jotika. Produced by A. M. Ratnam (Indian, Kadhalar Dinam) this film is lavishly budgeted. S.J. Surya (of Vaali fame directs it. Another film on the floors is Udaya starring him and Simran. It has music by A. R. Rehman. Produced by V. Natarajan, it is directed by Azhagar Perumal. And there is the Fazil directed Kannukkul Nilavu where Vijay is teamed again with Shalini. Vijay feels its a challenging role like the one he had in the directors earlier film Kadhalukku Mariyadhai.

Heres wishing Vijay all the best for the new millennium!