'I don't want to enter politics again'

Just a visual of him can elicit laughter! With a unique body language and dialogue delivery, ‘Vaigai Puyal’ Vadivelu is one of the few comedians who can portray an entire gamut of emotions with ease. He has acted with most leading stars, and easily towered over them proving his versatility in both serious and slapstick genres. Some of his memorable characters include – Kaipulla, Contractor Chiththappa, Encounter Egambaram, Brother Mark and Theepori Thirumugam. After his unsuccessful stint in politics, he has made a comeback as a full-fledged comedian with the Vishal-Tamannaah starrer Kaththi Sandai.

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You said you’ll sign only films that offer you the lead role. What made you change your decision?

Why talk about those things now? Let’s talk about the present. In due course, many told me that the audience missed seeing me! When Suraaj (Kaththi Sandai director) approached me with the script, I loved it and decided that I should act in it. I have acted in his earlier movies including Marudhamalai and Thalai Nagaram. Vishal and I shared screen space in Thimiru. After 10 years, we are acting together. I play Dr Boothri, a psychiatrist. My role has a different hair-do and get-up. Dubaakoor doctor illa! (Laughs)

How many scripts did you reject in the mean time?

I would have said ‘no’ to 30 scripts in the past two years, only because I didn’t have enough scope to perform. So, I declined them all. The break was god-given. I needed that. Lingaa is one among the rejected offers.

You have never been a part of Mani Ratnam movies. Why?

I know what you are trying to ask. The problem is that, they don’t let me talk. Namma ellam thara local! (Grins) Ilaiyaraaja once said, “Nee tharai-la nadakkardhellam thirai-la kaatranga.” I think that’s why people love me. They can connect to my dialogues. I have always been a part of films that have reached the grass roots. I’ll continue doing so.

What were you doing when you were away from cinema?

I used to watch comedy channels on TV. I was never away, never had that feeling. I was all over on Twitter and Facebook in the form of memes. There had been days where I watched my comedy scenes till 2.30 am. When I see comedy scenes, I see myself as a different person. I used to analyse if I had delivered what I wanted to. Those two years, I spent the time introspecting... Also, I spent time with my family members in the hometown. Everyone is settled.

Why do you think people like you?

Sivaji Ganesan kaalathoda acting ellam poyaachu! Whatever I do appears real because they are. I never act. I don’t know how to! I am not a born artiste. I learnt a lot about the nuances of acting and dialogue delivery from Tamil theatre, stage plays and so on. Comedy is more an art of body language and gestures. It’s more a performance of an artiste than the lines given to him or her.

Tell us about your upcoming projects...

I play the lead role in Imsai Arasan 2. Shankar is producing it. Since he’s busy with 2.O, this is getting delayed slightly. But trust me, the film will be a surprise package. Also, I am a part of Shivalinga and an untitled project of Rambala’s. GV Prakash is the hero.

What have you learnt here?

Cinema is a thankless industry. It starts and ends with the hero. A few producers deliberately spoiled my name and made others not to approach me for films. I know who they are. But, there’s no point talking about them. You know, Jayalalithaa amma was my huge fan. People who were with her told me that she enjoyed my films (grins).

Will you enter politics again?

Porum ya porum…adhu namakku vendame!

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