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 He
is one of those rare actors who keeps a low profile and lets his
work do the talking. Vineeth has managed to maintain a steady
track in his career over the years in Malayalam and Tamil films.
A lot of appreciation has been coming the actor's way for his
performance in 'Bhool Bhulaiya', his first venture in Hindi
films - A role which he had essayed with finesse in the Tamil
version 'Chandramukhi'
too.
Excerpts from a chat with the actor.
'Bhool Bhulaiya' seems to have got you a lot
of appreciation.
It's been released sometime ago but the calls
and messages of appreciation still keep coming. It was my first
foray into Hindi films and I'm lucky that I got such a great
role and a team to work with. I feel privileged that
Priyadarshan considered me for the role. I remember I was
shooting in Ponmudi where the signals were low. I got this
surprise call from Priyanji. He sounded a bit upset that he was
trying to reach me for 3-4 days and couldn't get through to me.
He said, 'I am using you for a Hindi film', and I was stunned.
He has brought in some extra definition to the role and added a
couple of more scenes too.
You've essayed the same role in its Tamil
version 'Chandramukhi' too. How was it acting with Rajnikant?
For any actor, sharing space with Rajni sir
is an honour and a dream. He is the actor of the century, and
even doing a scene with him gives a great feeling. Apart from
the wider exposure it gives. He is so involved that even if he
has finished his portion, he would be present there, quietly
watching me and Jyotika do our scene and dance. He used to come
and give us some tips. Like he suggested that I do a certain
dance step a bit more briskly. He is absolutely dedicated, no
mobile or any other distraction, and absolutely punctual. So we
all had to be there on time too. It was a great learning
experience working with him.
And Akshay Kumar?
Akshay is a very fun loving, lively person. He is very good in
his comic timing and improvises a lot. So we have to be on our
toes too. He used to bring his little son, and in gaps play
cricket with him. His physical trainees too used to be with him.
We used to talk a lot about south films.
You also got to act with two popular
actresses - Jyotika and Vidya Balan. What's your take on them?
I've worked with Jyotika earlier. So the
comfort level was there. She is basically a reserved person, and
very much dedicated to her work. She used to be silent, in a
corner, going through her scene. She had to do this vibrant
dance number in the climax scene. Not being trained in classical
dance, she was a bit tense. But after the first day's shooting,
she fell in tune. I was meeting Vidya for the first time. She
came accross as a very understanding, down-to-earth person. Very
polished in her behaviour, and like Jo, wonderful to work with.
If there is a dancer's role, it's 'call
Vineeth'. Do you feel flattered, or limited?
I take it as a blessing, and I am thankful to
my gurus. There are so many fantastic male dancers around. And
to be the first choice, it's surely an honour.
This passion for dance, is it due to your
lineage...your being related to Padmini?
Yeah...Padmini is my inspiration. When I was
about 4, I used to break into a jig at family functions. Seeing
this, Pappima and Ragini aunty told my parents to get me trained
in dance. Our family was into academics, but my parents were
supportive of my interest. My first Bharatnatyam dance costume
was given my Pappima, and my first dance programme in the US,
too, was sponsored by her. She even danced with me on stage
there, Shobhana too.
Classical dance makes a man look
effeminate, say some. Do you go with that?
That's a misconception. Natyasastra says
thandav is for men and lasya, the more graceful
postures, are for women. Take some of our best male dancers.
They are all so manly, there is nothing effeminate about them.
But yes, a lot depends on the individual too, and the type of
training he gets. A certain amount of grace will be there
because the excersises are such. But not effeminate if one gets
proper, authentic training.
Coming to your new Tamil film 'Uliyin Osai',
based on a story penned by Kalaignar Karunaidhi. Apparently, you
were handpicked by him to play the lead role?
True. It was he who suggested my name. And I
feel honoured that I am doing a character etched by him. It's a
period film and it's a well-rounded role of a sculptor who is a
singer and a dancer. We have just finished the first schedule. I
met him at the mahurath day. He personally called me to come up
on stage, and be beside him.
What are your other projects?
I've just completed 'Sila Nerangalil',
director Jairaj's first Tamil film. I play a character that
spans from youth to old age. It centers on re-incarnation and is
beautifully crafted. There is the Malayalam film 'Kaal Chilambu'
where I play the lead role. It's an exciting theme based on the
Theyyam community of Kerala. Lenin Rajendran's 'Rathri Mazha'
with Meera jasmine, where I play a contemporary dancer, has been
selected for the Indian panorama. This year seems to have worked
out well for me.
Finally, what's the secret of your eternal
youth?
I wish I knew! But I think mentally one
should feel young, and physically try to keep oneself active. I
have this amazing tendency to put on weight, and have to make a
constant effort to maintain my physique. I go to the gym when I
get a gap. Just some mild excersises. My dance practices too
help keep me in form. Above all, I have a very positive attitude
towards life.
Malini Mannath
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