I’m thankful to everyone

Share with us your experience of working in Cocktail.
Cocktail was a great experience. It was different,in terms of style,treatment and character. In fact,when I went to see the film,I did not see myself there. It was just the character. I know I may sound a bit vain,but thats the fact. Lots of people called me and endorsed this view of mine. The film also has me rendering some really good dialogues and I am happy that these dialogues have been penned by my friend,Anoop Menon,who has played a key role in the film too.

What about 4 Friends?
I have acted in director Saji Surendrans earlier films too,namely Ivar Vivahitharaayaal and Happy Husbands. I am happy to have been a part of his 4 Friends also. And I am happy to have played a character that would remain etched in the minds of people for long. People from all walks of life call me appreciating my performance and I really like that.

So,that means you might be having your hands full. What are your forthcoming films?
I am a bit careful these days. I know that I was rather careless in my early days,but now I choose my films and roles very carefully. I dont want to do films one after the other just to increase the count. Ill do only good ones with meaty roles,roles that give me the chance to learn something and improve as an actor.

Among my forthcoming films,the most notable one is the one directed by T.V.Chandran. I appear in the film as a 30-year-old who grows to 40. So thats challenging as well as satisfying for someone like me,who wants to grow with each film.

You have done all kinds of roles,starting with the dumb lover in Oomapenninu Uriyaadaapayyan to villainous roles,comic roles et al. You have donned all kinds of make-up in films. So,can we expect a Dasavatharam from you in the future?
I have done different kinds of roles and donned all kinds of make-up. I am doing different kinds of roles in my forthcoming films too. Dasavatharam is a benchmark for any actor who likes to experiment with roles. For me it holds special relevance as I happen to be,like the character that I play in 4 Friends,an ardent fan of Kamal Haasan. I have been lucky to have acted with him in Vasool Raja MBBS and also to share screen space with him in a scene in 4 Friends. So Id be happy and proud if I could even do something of that sort in future.

You began as a mimic. Then you moved on to films and you are now experimenting with roles. So what next? Do you have plans to take to some other aspect of filmmaking?
As of now,I am making no deliberate attempt to do that. I move ahead with goals in my mind and when one goal is accomplished,another one comes in view and I go after it. So maybe I will take to some other aspect of filmmaking too.

If so,which department would that be?
I am not sure as yet,but I would most probably like to dabble in scriptwriting. I have already been writing short-stories,some of which have been published earlier too.

Dont you feel you have come a full circle? In Kangaroo,people did not expect you to be a villain and you shocked everyone. And now,in Cocktail,everyone expects you to be the villain,but the twist towards the end tilts the scales in your favour. Isnt that interesting?
Thats really interesting. I hadnt noticed this thing. So now,I get to join together with friends and mentors and think of new things. Thanks for making me think.

What next?
Lets see. Right now I am thankful to everyone who made me what I am.