"I MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY TO STAR IN VINNAITHAANDI VARUVAAYA"
We heard that you missed an opportunity to star in VTV, is it so?
Yeah, my bad. I auditioned for the role, but somehow our dates did not match. The shooting was delayed back and forth and I don’t remember exactly, but I was busy with another project, so missed out on this.
What kind of a bond do you share with director GVM?
He is very supportive, relaxed, classic and an instinctive director.
I worked in Nadunisi Naaygal, then in Hindi version of VTV - Ek Deewana Tha. Though I missed starring in some of his projects, I like his approach and style of writing. It’s different and unique. We have worked on ads too, like the one for Miranda and another for Agsar paints. He is very supportive, relaxed, classic and an instinctive director.
With director Murugadoss?
He told me it was a script that people will remember for a long time and it turned out to be true.
7aam arivu happened after the completion of Nadunisi Naaygal. I met Murugadoss sir, and he offered the role of the geeky IIT engineer. He told me it was a script that people will remember for a long time and it turned out to be true.
Working experience with Suriya sir?
Suriya is a perfectionist while Murugadoss sir is a passionate person
He is a very focussed actor. Even during breaks, he will keep preparing for scenes and will motivate us to do the same. Suriya is a perfectionist while Murugadoss sir is a passionate person who pays keen attention to detail. After a short is done, he will end it up stating ‘Cut! Super!’.
In Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara you played a lead role alongside Vijay Sethupathi, who has become a big star now. What do you feel about it?
Vijay Sethupathi deserves all the recognition he gets.
Vijay Sethupathi deserves all the recognition he gets. In real life, he is someone who is very grounded, casual and has no airs. Post Megha, a romantic rendezvous, I wanted to do something that is comical, so I took up this opportunity. I loved the story and it was extra-ordinary. So I did it without any second thoughts!
Okay, back to present, what’s special about Zero?
Nivas has simply smashed it with the sounds and re-recording.
Zero is a highly visual and music based thriller movie. Nivas has simply smashed it with the sounds and re-recording. It is soulful and romantic. Zero will be different and will leave you feeling good. The cameraman has also done a great job. He has lighted it smooth and subtle. The editor has also done a brilliant job and made sure that you don’t stray away from the main story.
So Zero is not a commercial bonanza?
It is a supernatural and an out and out surreal story
Of Course, it will be mind-bending and apar the usual stuff you would have seen till date. The story has a strong romance base between Bala and Priya. It is a supernatural and an out and out surreal story. Zero will be different from what you would have expected and seen till now. It will feel like you’re reading a novel, that’s the essence the movie will give out.
Incidentally, Zero’s character is also named Bala while you had the same name in Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara. Was it by choice? Continuing your success streak?
Nothing is outspoken in the film, but if you look into it, it will surely be there.
( laughs loudly ) No, it’s a co-incidence. The director chose it. Zero is a sort of a movie which will make you want to read between the lines. Watch the movie, with that in mind and you will realize that there’s a subtle reason behind this. Nothing is outspoken in the film, but if you look into it, it will surely be there.
You have set up this stereotype that we don’t know what to expect from Ashwin. You always spring up a surprise and show up in a different avatar, is it intentional? Will this continue?
It’s partly intentional. There are lots of movies in which I wanted to be a part of but the opportunity just went by. But the ones I took up, I did with a lot of precaution and pre-planning. So to answer your question, I would prefer to keep it that way.
Now that you have taken up a lead role for the second time, would you continue starring in multi-starrers or only adorn a hero cape?
I don’t mind taking up side characters and second roles as long as their importance doesn’t go down and the script is good.
Thank you, it was great talking to you Ashwin!
