|
Meet Dhanush
 The gawky, unlikely hero of 'Thulluvatho Ilamai' has transformed into a more confident, fascinating actor in his second film 'Kadhal Konden'. Produced by his father Kasthuriraja, and directed by brother Selvaraghavan, the film has set the cash registers ringing and catapulted its young hero Dhanush to
limelight. Basking in all the critical acclaim and compliments from industry bigwigs like Bharatiraja, Balu Mahendra and superstar Rajinikant, wooed by film-makers and the media, Dhanush seems quite unperturbed by all the
hype around him.
A fascinating combination of innocence
and intelligence, and with a passion for cinema, this guy with his simple boy-next-door looks has redefined the concept of
a 'hero' in Tamil films.
A tete a tete with the new kid in
Tamil filmdom.
Q: You're a reluctant hero!
Dhanush: True. My entry into films was accidental. The boy who was supposed to act in 'Thulluvatho Ilamai' backed out at the last minute. And I was forced to take his place. I cried, told them I wanted to pursue my studies, but no one listened to me. And here I am!
Q: Do you regret it?
Dhanush: It's ok now. I sacrificed something, and I've got much more in return.
Q: Did you expect 'Kadhal Konden' to be such a big success?
Dhanush: No. Though I had a lot of confidence in my brother, I did not have the same confidence in myself. It was a challenging role, a big risk, and an experiment. I thank the audience for making the movie a big success, and accepting me as a hero.
Q: What do you attribute its success to?
Dhanush: Totally to my brother Selvaraghavan. His story was good, his screenplay excellent, the characters clear-cut, and the treatment neat.
He brings out the best out of his crew, like Yuvan Shanker Raja.
 Q: The role of a psychotic lover must have been a difficult one to perform?
Dhanush: My brother helped me out. It was too much of hard work. He asked me to observe a lazy dog for the first part of the character of Vinod. I observed a lazy dog for days! For the second half, where Vinod reveals his 'psycho' behaviour, I observed a Cheetah in action, in channels like the National Geographic. I picked up my body language through observing these animals, and it was sheer hard work and my brother's motivation that got me through it! I had to perform before a mirror, watch many films of this genre, and work on my role. But without my brother's guidance, I would have been a zero. He squeezed it out of me, and by the end of it all I was totally drained. Thank God it's out of my system now!
Q: Do you feel a sense of
triumph when you see the same people, who had earlier dismissed your first film as a
sex-film, wooing you desperately now ?
Dhanush: It did hurt me initially. We'd tried to make a realistic film on growing-up adolescent
behaviour. We were a young crew willing to experiment. We expected encouragement from the industry and the media, but we didn't get it. But now it's all behind us. There's no sense of triumph or vindication. At least now they've accepted the fact, and us!
Q: How did it feel when the superstar Rajinikant complimented you?
Dhanush: True! He complimented both Selvaraghavan and me. He was our childhood idol, and meeting him was a memorable experience for us! It was amazing how he had observed the details in the film. He complimented the
way the film was taken, and he asked me how I managed to do the scene where I bash up Athi and then dance around him. Coming from him, all this praise made our day! A man of his stature was so gracious and so down-to-earth.
Q: What difference do you find between working with your home banner and now with an outside director?
Dhanush: I'm getting used to different styles of movie-making. Again, I'm getting some respect outside, which I never got on my brother's sets!
Q: What is your strength and weakness as a performer?
Dhanush: My face reflects intense emotions without much effort. What I find difficult
to handle is comedy, it's the toughest thing to do.
 Q: Do you think you'll fit into the conventional hero role?
Dhanush: I'm doing some of these films. I was comfortable doing the conventional dance and fight routine. Let's wait and see how the audience accept me.
Q: Aren't you scared of the expectations you've raised among the audience?
Dhanush: I am scared! My earlier films were home productions, with my brother as the anchor. I didn't worry much then. Now I've stepped out into the world, with people's expectations from me rising. It's like doing my first film and waiting for the reaction!
Q: How do you handle all this sudden adulation and media glare?
Dhanush: I'm not behaving any differently! Even now, I roam around freely. Even today, I visit theatres and shopping complexes. They do mob me, but they only want an autograph, or have a
photograph taken with them, and at times ask me some questions. All simple requests, easy to
fulfill.
Q: Once a star, starry airs and tantrums become part of an actor. How will you conduct yourself professionally?
Dhanush: Firstly, I would like to be known as an actor, and not a star. Again, I prefer to keep evolving as an actor, so that the fire and the yearning to do better will always be in me. I'm a simple normal guy, and would like to remain that way .
Q: Have you met any crazy fans?
Dhanush: Quite a few! One guy at Spencer Plaza fell at my feet, much to my shock. He said he was a
student and that his classmates treated him 'like a dog', similar to the
character of Vinod in 'Kadhal Konden'. "But after they saw your film, they're nice to me", he said. That guy identified me with
Vinod. Anyway, I was happy for him, and it also made me conscious of my responsibility as an actor.
 Q: What are your future projects?
Dhanush: 'Thiruda Thirudi' is my next release. There is also 'Dreams' being directed by my father.
'Puthukottaiyilirunthu Saravanan', which is to be directed by Stanley has an amazing script. There's Balu Mahendra's
'Athu Oru Kana Kaalam', where I'll be sharing frames with Ramya Krishnan. 'Doctors' will be directed by my brother. There's a film with Roja Combines, and one with Lakshmi Movie Makers, again directed by my brother.
Q: Are you acting in the Hindi version of
'Kadhal Konden' as well?
Dhanush: Yes, It's just been confirmed. Boney Kapoor liked the film and is producing it in Hindi. My brother will be directing the Hindi version. Boney liked my performance and wanted me to play the same role in Hindi too. If all goes well, we'll start the shooting in January. It will be a different experience, but otherwise my concentration will remain on Tamil films.
Q: How do you select your scripts?
Dhanush: I'm listening to stories every day. And if I find something interesting, I discuss it with my father or brother and come to a decision.
Q: You've sung a song too in your latest film
'Puthukottaiyilirunthu Saravanan'
Dhanush: There was a 'Gana' song in the film. And director Stanley thought that it would be good if I
did it. Yuvan Shanker Raja has composed the music. We've started picturising the song, and those who heard it, liked it. It was a new experience for me.
Q: Would you like to tell something to aspiring heroes?
Dhanush: Being a hero in films is simple. With a bit of talent, anybody can become a hero. Even looks don't matter much. But 'heroism' can be in other professions too. Become the No.1 in your field and you're a hero! Becoming a real-life hero is difficult. Try to become a real-life hero!
Malini Mannath
Published on 27th Aug. 2003
|
