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 He's one of the fastest rising heroes of Tamil cinema, who within a short span of time has carved an enviable niche for himself. Vishal is the newest action-kid on the block. A comparative newcomer on the film firmament, with five releases to his credit, Vishal has already established his credentials as a bankable hero.
Excerpts from a chat with the tall, lanky actor, who'd planned to be a director, destiny having lured him in front of the camera.
If you had been on that flight to Mumbai, your life would have been on a different track now. Any regrets?
No regrets! Ours is a business family, but my father had entered film production, and produced films with names like Sivaji Ganesan. My passion was to direct films. I'd made all plans to apprentice with Ramgopal Varma and had almost taken the flight to Mumbai, when the offer to act in 'Chellamae' came. And I thought I'd give it a try. Then came 'Sandakozhi' and 'Thimiru', both hits. And I was hooked to acting. I'm elated because it's more than what I expected. But direction is still my passion and I'll be venturing into it in the near future.
But reportedly you have done the director's work in
your films?
 Not
all my films, just one. In my other films, I didn't have any
involvement apart from that of an actor. For I was confident
that the films were shaping up the right way. But yes, I do
admit that in 'Thimiru', my third film, my involvement was
100%. I felt that things were not going quite the right way,
and I got involved in every single aspect of the film's
making. Seeing the sleepless nights I spent working on it,
even my family was a little worried about my health. But all
that strain was worth it, and my effort paid off when I was
proved right and the film was a big success.. It did well
even in the dubbed telugu version.
So, any plan of doing a straight Telugu film?
I've been getting good offers from makers of Telugu films.
Since both 'Sandakozhi' and 'Thimiru' were big hits there.
But I need a very good script to venture into Telugu. Right
now I'm concentrating on my Tamil films. Maybe I'll do a
Telugu film in 2008. But I'm thrilled and excited about being
accepted in two States and in two languages. That too in the
beginning of my career.
You can take it a bit easy, as you have your home banner
to fall back on, and your father and brother to guide you.
True, that I didn't have to go through all that struggle
newcomers with no backing have to face. No doubt I had strong
support in terms of financial backing. My brother's extreme
confidence in me was a morale booster too. But we too faced
financial problems at one time. And again, I too had my share
of heart-burns. After 'Chellame' I had to wait a long time
for my second film. It was a period of tension for me. I'd
heard the story of 'Sandakozhi', liked it and approached
director Lingusamy. But the script was written for some other
hero, and it was a long wait till i finally got to do it.
Again, when it did well people said, it's a flash in the pan
and he won't make it. And that had put tremendous pressure on
me. So I had to prove it again with 'Thimiru'.
Do you go through feelings of insecurity at such
moments?
 Yes,
I do feel a bit insecure. But it's not related to my acting
or performance. 'If my movie bombs I'm nowhere', that's the
way I've felt from my first film.
So I'm very cautious before I venture into each new
project.. After 'Sandakozhi' everyone said it was
professional suicide to wait a year and some months to do my
next film Thimiru'. But it's this cautiousness that made me
wait for the right script. And my wait paid.
But despite all your cautiousness, your last release 'Sivappadikaram'
hasn't matched the box-office performance of your ealier
films?
There are some films which are liked by the masses. And
others which you are happy to be associated with despite its
box-office performance. 'Sivappadikaram' I consider as one of
my good films. Again, one section of the audience who hadn't
connected to me earlier, has liked this film. But I do admit
that I would have definitely wanted it do well and keep my
record of successes intact. But no regrets!
So, how important is success to you?
It's definitely the most important factor, considering
that the whole industry revolves around this one word. Result
is what is important, however different you may like to
think. I too keep the result of my last release in mind
before I venture into my next project. In this industry you
can't be complacent. You have to be on your toes the whole
time. Every film of mine I treat as my first, and with every
movie I strive for perfection.
You have an image of an action hero. Are you
comfortable with that?
 Though
I won't ignore the image of an action hero that the audience
has of me, I personally don't want to fall in any image
trap.
I want to experiment with varied roles and genres right
from the beginning, when my career is just taking off.
In 'Thamirabharani' my last release,I had a very
interesting role. And in my new film 'Sathyam',my home
production, I play my first cop role.
Which are the roles, heroes, directors you have been
impressed by?
Directors like Ramgopal Varma, Selvaraghavan, Dharani and
Gautham. And of course Shanker and Maniratnam. I liked what
Dhanush did in 'Kadhal Kondein' and Vikram in 'Pithamagan'.
My dream role would be something like 'superman', a 'Krish',
a superhuman role. But for such projects you need a good
market and sound technical back-up. I want to act in and
direct such a film. I've to search for a good subject, mould
it and package it well. A 'James Bond' kind of sequel would
be very interesting.
Talking of sequels, it's the re-remake season with old
films being rehashed. Would you be interested in doing it?
Some selected ones, not all. The concept sounds
interesting. I would love to act in one particular role if
it's rehashed. That of Alex Pandian that Rajnikant had played
in 'Moondru Mugham'. A short role, but his body language and
whole performance was so good. And there's the character of
the philandering aged father in 'Nettrikan'. Again it was
such a splendidly performed role by Rajni. I would love to
give such roles a try!
Among your contemporaries, who do you feel is your
competitor?
 Everyone!
Though I wouldn't call them competitors! We all are striving
for success. I rate Jayam Ravi high, as I feel he's a
complete hero. My entire family too likes him. The industry
is like a circle. There are about 100 films being made, but
only about ten do well. My desire is that one of those ten
hits should be mine.
The media keeps linking you with your co-stars. Does it
bother you?
It amuses me that when I was not a part of the industry, I
used to read about others. And now it's me there! If I did
have a girlfriend, I would have shouted it from the roof
tops, told my family, and the whole world. It's nothing to be
secretive about or be ashamed of. I don't take such write-ups
seriously. But the fall back of it all is that the gossip has
made me unnecessarily feel self-conscious. Like when I attend
a college function, I can't even look at a pretty girl these
days, in case I'm misunderstood!
Finally, Om Puri once remarked that training is
mandatory for an actor to sustain long in the field. What do
you think?
I agree with him. I myself had gone in for a three-month
theatre workshop with the Koothu-pattarai theatre group. But
again, I also feel that above all you have to have the talent
and the determination. Patience is very important too, and
the luck-factor is an added advantage. And of course the
right motivation. If you want a car, and then you do a film,
you'll get the car, but it will be short-lived. Go for the
core and the peripheries will follow!
Malini Mannath
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