May 27, 2010

Second

BACK WITH A BANG: Karthik.

As Karthik returns to showville after a self-imposed hiatus, he talks about rediscovering the joy of acting

As I try to piece together the various links in my memory files about Karthik, I'm spoilt for choice. In a career spanning two decades and more, the actor has proved his redoubtable talent in a variety of genres.

The once bankable star who had faded into oblivion is back in tinselville with not just one, but three films. Smoothly slipping into the comfort zone of a character artiste, the 49-year-old actor says he's returned to where he belongs. A spontaneous performer, he's like a genie in the bottle. All you have to do is unscrew the stopper, and he performs — as he's done in his recent release Maanja Velu.

“I haven't felt this good in a long time,” the actor opens up. “It's great to be back after so many years. The welcoming vibe around me is encouraging. I don't know why I left the scene for this long…” There's a tinge of sadness in his voice. But just the way he flitted effortlessly from emotionally overpowering roles to scintillating comedies, Karthik's mood swings and he gushes, “Director Mani Ratnam was the reason behind a major milestone in my career (think the effervescent Manohar delivering the unforgettable Mr. Chandramouli… dialogue in Mouna Ragam). I was taken aback when he called me for a role in Raavanan. He's matured with every film and my admiration for him remains unabated. Though it was not a very big role in terms of footage, I was a bit nervous. So I reported on the sets three days early to get a feel of it. I realised I had missed so much during my self-imposed hiatus. After a warm-up scene, I felt completely back in form. I rediscovered the joy of acting and began to enjoy the chaotic world of films once again.”

It was during the shooting of Raavanan that Karthik was called to play a substantial role in Maanja Velu. “I play a cop. I could instantaneously relate to the character. I realise I can't be the hero any more. So it's time to experiment and do the kind of roles that were once outside my radar. I can probably take character roles to another level.”

As news of Karthik's re-entry spread in Kollywood, messages poured from several directors, including P. Vasu, who has signed up the actor for his upcoming Puli Vesham. “Nine years ago, I was going through a chaotic phase marked by several wrong decisions. I felt I needed a break. But I never thought it would take this long. I realise how much film making has changed. The dance steps have become more rigorous, the music sounds different and the packaging is so slick. Film promos and publicity events now make news and technically, we've made massive strides.”

The actor who made his debut as the cupid-struck teenager in Bharathiraaja's Alaigal Oivadhillai in the early 1980s was swept by a wave of career-defining roles since. “On the third day after I was spotted, I found myself facing the camera. I knew nothing about acting. It's been a roller-coaster ride for me. Before I even realised that acting was my calling, I found myself neck-deep in films. As far as acting is concerned, I do a little homework in my head. That's it.”

Radha (Alaigal Oivadhillai), Revathy (Kizhaku Vaasal, Mouna Ragam) or Rambha (Ullathai Alli Thaa), Karthik's history of successful on-screen chemistry with his co-stars cannot be erased from the cine-goers' minds. “Romance? Yes, why not. Some mature on-screen romance is okay as long as it appears natural. Even in my prime, I wasn't quite comfortable running around trees.” The heart-warming Varusham 16 with Kushboo, the touching Gokulathil Seethai and the stylishly-made Agni Nakshatram were some films in which Karthik fulfilled the desire in him to excel. “I just went with the directors. I was lucky to work with the best film makers of the 1980s and 1990s. I learnt a lot.” Though he played many sentiment-suffused roles, Karthik came up trumps in comedy as well. “I love comedy. I believe the basic premise of making films is to entertain.”

Like every successful actor, Karthik too dreams of direction. “I've been working on my own scripts and learning the art of screenplay writing. I'm creating some characters for myself — the types I've never been offered or never will be. It's time to explore new realms of creativity.”

KARTHIK CALLING KARTHIK JR.

My son is keen on entering films. He is a natural when it comes to facing the camera. But I don't want him to miss out on academics or his normal life as a student. I know what films can do to you. So let him wait and make an entry when he is mature enough to handle the showbiz whirligig. I'll welcome him with open arms when it happens.

CLEAN YOUR KIDNEYS

Years pass by and our kidneys are filtering the blood by removing salt, poison and any unwanted elements entering our body. With time, the salt accumulates and this needs to undergo cleaning treatments and how are we going to overcome this? It is very easy, first take a bunch of parsley (MALLI, DHANIYA Leaves)and wash it clean Then cut it in small pieces and put it in a pot and pour clean water and boil it for ten minutes and let it cool down and then filter it and pour in a clean bottle and keep it inside refrigerator to cool. Drink one glass daily and you will notice all salt and other accumulated poison coming out of your kidney by urination also you will be able to notice the difference which you never felt before. Parsley is known as best cleaning treatment for kidneys and it is natural!

‘Maanja Velu’ Wins The Race

After receiving an overwhelming response, the ‘Maanja Velu’ team will tour all the important towns and cities in Tamil Nadu to thank the audience.

The acknowledgement tour will start from Madurai this 29th and continue till all the major areas are covered. The team comprising of hero Arun Vijay, director Venkatesh and a few members of the cast and crew will thank the audience at the theatres in various parts of Tamil Nadu where ‘Maanja Velu’ is running.

It is also learnt that Karthik who is making a come back through this movie, will also be part of the team to certain places to thank the audience.

In the long list of releases, ‘Maanja Velu’ seems to be at the top of the charts with families enjoying the comedy and the action in the movie. Besides Mani Sharma's music, Arun Vijay’s explosive action and Karthik’s classy performance are highlights of the movie.

Raavanan crew share their experiences

What can one expect from a movie that is a concoction of gripping storyline, racy direction, tight editing and immaculate performances of top-slot actors? Mani Ratnam's Raavanan would precisely answer the question, when it hits the screen next month.

At a glitzy promotional event organised at Mutha Venkata Subbarao Hall at Lady Andal Higher Secondary School here on Friday, people behind the making of the film spoke on their experiences.

Singer Karthik kick-started the event with his mellifluous ‘Usire Pogudhe.' Actor Karthik, for whom this is the third project with Mani Ratnam, brought the event alive with his impromptu wit. “Both Agni Nakshatram and Mouna Raagam gave me such a push in the industry. This film will be even better,” he said.

Actors Prithviraj and Priyamani joined him to speak about the director's distinctive style of filmmaking and their co-actors' performances. “Mani Ratnam led us by example. When we were grappling with freezing cold and struggling to trek through rocky surfaces, he was at his professional best, unaffected by all this,” said actor Prabhu. Trailers of songs ‘Veera,' ‘Kodu Potta,' ‘Kalvare,' and ‘Usire Pogudhe' were sandwiched between the live performances by A.R. Rahman and Karthik. With a mud-smeared face and sporting a sinister look to depict his character, actor Vikram gave a dance performance on stage.

The stage, with the deft work of art director Rajeevan, revealed the essence of the film — a forest set-up with a dominating grey tone. Mani Ratnam got on to the stage to congratulate the team.

KARTHIK - FIRST LOOK OF RAAVANAN

Karthik's skit for 'Raavanan'

Even as the final countdown for 'Raavanan' promo meet has started, there are a lot of buzzes surrounding the much-awaited event, which is scheduled in Chennai on May 14. We already heard that lead stars of the Mani Ratnam's film Vikram and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan would perform on stage for a song set to tune by music maestro A R Rahman, besides some colourful programmes from other stars. And now, sources have it that yesteryear hero Karthik, who is making a comeback with this movie, will stage a skit on the occasion. "The skit is based on a script related to the film and will be so hilarious," say sources close to Madras Talkies. The promo meet will be attended by Mani Ratnam and Rahman, apart from other prominent faces of Tamil film industry. Produced jointly by Reliance Big Pictures and Madras Talkies, 'Raavanan' will be released in June