Nearly two years ago Rahman was taking a break, at a film set, when a young man came to meet him with a story. “What is my role?” he asked. “A cop, sir,”came the polite reply.
The actor, who was wearing a police uniform, showed the way out to the guy with boyish looks, with folded hands,. “I really disappointed him,” said Rahman, about the 22-year-old Karthick Naren who directed ‘Dhruvangal 16’, the film which went on to rewrite history and celebrated its 75th day on Monday.
“Look at the number of police roles I have played. So my initial response was a big NO. Moreover, I never knew that he was the director. But he chased me, with full confidence.
Though his style of narration impressed me, I had doubts over the project considering his age and experience,” said the actor who is in his 34th year in cinema.
Later the whole team of ‘boys’ behind the film came to meet Rahman.“They were well prepared. Everyone was thorough with the script and their part and the graphics presentation on their laptops. So I agreed because I was convinced of their passion,” he said.
However, he had some apprehensions over the age of Deepak, my character. “In films, it is easy to get type-cast. When I did a villain role in Ethiri, the same kind of roles followed. So I advised Karthik to keep the personal life and relations of Deepak to a minimum.
However, after three days, I understood the depth of the character conceived by him. So I told him not to make any amendments from his script for my sake,” he revealed. According to him, the filming was perfect. So when he watched the premiere of the film, one thing struck him.
He was the sole recognisable face, other than actor Delhi Ganesh on and off screen. “Now it may sound silly, but I took it as my responsibility to take the film to the public on my shoulders. I invited the actors of the 1980’s, along with personalities such as Rajnikath sir, Shankar sir and Suhasini for a screening.”
The response was awesome.“Earlier, it was difficult to make films. But then it was sure that it will reach the screens. Nowadays, the production is much easier compared to those days. Moreover,the public may watch any film which they like.
However, the industry, with its own weird rules will try to put a spoke in reaching the cinemas. It is a very difficult phase,”he added.
This success is close to his heart. “My youngest daughter Alisha has seen me only as a villain on screen. While every father is a hero to his children, she did not have a good feel about that. The team, including the director, is of my elder daughter’s age. This is a film which she too liked and it showed me who am I,” Rahman opened his mind.
The thumping success means he is being showered with offers. “It is a tricky situation. There are many roles which is tailored in the same mold. Also I cant wait for good roles for long. So I will have to find a middle path,”he said about his future plans.