The 'VIP' and his many faces





In conversation with Dhanush

VIP 2 reviews have been lukewarm but Dhanush is unfazed. He has three scripts ready, and is all set to entertain audiences soon.  He loves to write, and also wants to produce more films, as he is not answerable to anyone as a producer.

Dhanush greets us with a warm smile that’s oddly reminiscent of Rajinikanth. And we tell him as much. He shrugs and says, “People sometimes tell me I emulate him. So what? He’s a phenomenon, and my father-in-law. I meet him regularly.” He is one of the few leading men in Tamil cinema to successfully balance the roles and responsibilities of a filmmaker and producer. From his humble beginnings on silverscreen where he took on roles that were risqué for a newcomer, to the heights of stardom he has reached, Dhanush’s success story is inspiring.

A chat with the actor at his office in Nungambakkam was an evening well spent.

You didn’t just co-produce VIP-2. You also wrote the story and dialogues. Why take on so many responsibilities?

We knew success wouldn’t be easy for the sequel, thanks to the hype VIP created. It’s hard to write a sequel, but there were positive vibes ever since we started this project. I was looking for an interesting element that would surprise the audience. I knew it had to connect to the original story. It had to include the same characters. Eventually, I finished writing it in 15 days.

Tell us about your writing process.

I try not to be repetitive and keep things simple. I don’t think too much; I write, and the process takes me further. I think the stories are few, but the screenplays  can really do wonders. VIP is a story told many times, but the last 20 minutes, I thought, was brilliant.

It must have felt odd not to get to direct a film you wrote?

It is tough, because I need to understand that I am just an actor.

Anymore scripts on hand?

(Smiles) Three fully completed bound scripts.

How did you deal with VIP 2 getting mixed reviews?

Audience’s is the biggest verdict. The reviews didn’t really help, but I could see that family audiences were lapping it up. The reviews were mainly against the film, but I have no problem with that. They all raved about Pa Paandi, and if I can accept that, I should accept this.

How do you suppose you have managed to attract such fan following?

About seven years ago, I couldn’t stand my face. Till today, I don’t know what clicked. Perhaps the audience feels that I represent our boys on screen? I don’t know. I don’t want to question my blessing. Not everybody gets to do what they love.

Why aren’t you doing dark films like Mayakkam Enna?

When I do such films, I get affected, and others around me do too. After Mayakkam Enna, I became aggressive. I’m not a method actor. So I don’t really know where to draw the line. I took my character home. Till I’m mature enough to handle such things, I’ll stay away from such films. But, I do want to do them eventually.

Do you choose your scripts differently based on whether you are an actor or producer?

Absolutely! As an actor, the audience expects certain things from me. But as a producer, I am answerable to nobody. I can make films like Kaaka Muttai, Visaranai and Amma Kanakku. As a producer, I want to take Tamil films to an international level.

You’ve now been part of Tamil, Hindi and English cinema. Any more languages in the kitty?

 I’ve had offers from French cinema, but I am not sure that’s a good idea for me. English is fine, but other languages… Well, that’s really at their risk. (Laughs)

Now that you’ve directed a Tamil film, is there a plan to make a Hindi film?

I read somewhere that I had purchased the remake rights of Barfi. In fact, Barfi’s team called to congratulate me. I told them that I hadn’t even got it. Also, I am not comfortable with the idea of remakes. I stopped that after Uthama Puthiran. Unoriginal ideas irk me.

Does criticism on social media bother you?

I am too busy to let it affect me. Good and bad opinions are everywhere, and I choose to see only the good.

Fast five

Another film with Selvaraghavan?

I’m a nobody without him. We’ll collaborate soon.

Pudhupettai 2?

It will happen, but not immediately.

A character close to heart

I love being Maari. It’s the toughest role I’ve played.

On Enai Noki Paayum Thota

Gautham has made me look stylish on screen. For the first time, I felt good about myself.

Dream collaboration

I want to direct Rajinikanth. Or at least, share screen space with him.

(The piece was originally written for The New Indian Express)

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