His debut film 'Kannodu Kaanbathellam' was released a few years ago. And now Suchindra Bali aka Suchin, son of former actress and danseuse Vyjayanthimala, returns to the Tamil screen with 'Ninaithaley', his second release in Tamil. "I'm just getting tuned to acting," says the actor, all excited about his new film.

Excerpts from a tete a tete with the actor:

Was acting always your first choice?

Not at all. Academics was my first interest. My mom's too. She was particular that I qualify myself academically. I graduated in law from Delhi, interned with a senior advocate and enrolled with the Bar Council. Then I did my Masters from Columbia University. Right now I'm involved in real estate promotion where my legal expertise comes in handy. Films just happened.

Music, Movies and Mamta Are you ready: Image makeover Red One for Achchamundu! Achchamundu! A day-trip to Dakshin Chitra குசேலன் நஷ்ட ஈடு: தணிந்த சூடு வில்லன் வேடத்தில் சீயான் கலங்க வைத்த இசையமைப்பாளர்

And how did films just happen?

It was accidental. I had done some modelling and my pictures had come in some magazines. They saw it and approached me for my first film 'Kannodu Kaanbathellam'. Since the offer fell in my lap, I just took it up, though I wasn't ready at that point of time. It was after that that I went to do my Masters at Columbia University. Meanwhile, I acted in the Hindi film 'Aanch' too. It was a realistic film and I got to share frames with awesome talent like Nana Patekar and Paresh Rawal. It was a learning experience for me. Then came 'Ninaithaley'.

But you took a long time to sign your second Tamil film?

Yeah.. a few years actually! As I said, I got involved with my higher studies and then with my real estate business. I got the offer through a common friend. I heard the script and it appealed to me. I kind of jelled with the character of Anand. Anand was this nice lovable character I could identify with. And I thought it was the right time for me to take up the offer. I'm more tuned to acting now than I was earlier. I'm getting more offers in Tamil and from Hindi too.

And what type of roles are you looking out for?

I wouldn't like to limit myself to any particular role. I would like to experiment with roles with varied shades. I would like to handle roles which are closer to life and believable. Even a anti-hero role is fine, as long as it has depth, range and impact.

What's your mother's influence on your personal and professional life? Does she help out with your selection of script?

Mom has been a pillar of support, personally and professionally. She's been so encouraging. She gives me tips and pushes me to do better. She knows what scripts are offered to me and suggests what I should work on, and how I should overcome my flaws. She is a person of principles and has inculcated that value in me. She is one of the few who stuck to her stand, and never made a comeback in films despite some tempting offers. I admire her a lot for that. 

Which of her films has impressed you the most?

There is a long line of them. Offhand I can say 'Madhumathi', 'Ganga Jamuna', 'Nagin', 'Naya Daur', 'Sangam'. As a dancer there is absolutely no one to touch her. And her acting too was so effortless. People still talk about her so highly. And it makes me feel so proud to be her son!

Malini Mannath