After the Mottai Boss role which was made famous by Superstar Rajnikanth, looks like it’s the turn of another Kollywood actor to go for the bald look. Director turned actor Ravi Mariya, who is playing the main villain in Ilayathalapathy Vijay’s Jilla, has shaved his head and moustache, for the role. Speaking to CE, the actor reveals more about his new look.
“It’s the first time I’m going bald for a role,” admits Mariya who tuned actor in Vasanthabalan’s Veyil and has acted in 22 movies. He began as assitant director to SJ Suryah in Khushi aand turned director with Aasai Aasaiyai and later Milaga. Now, a full fledged acting career as villain is keeping him busy. But in Ezhil’s Manam Kothi Paravai ( MKP) he portrayed his comical side, which was further evident in Desingu Raja. And that’s how the Jilla offer came to him.
Mariya fills us in, “The assistant director of Jilla director Nesan, saw my ability and recommended me for the role of a negative character with a shade of humour in Jilla.” But on one condition, that he had to go bald and also shave his moustache. “This would affect the continuity of my other films Boologam, Pidichirukku and the Malayalam 3G. But I discussed it with those teams and used a wig for those films,” says Mariya.
Mariya’s get up includes a full black costume and earrings to complete the look. He has completed 30 out of the 45 days ofJilla’s shoot and is proceeding for the next schedule in Hyderabad. So how was it working with Vijay? Mariya recounts, “I was AD during his Khushi and I thought Vijay wouldn’t t recall me. But to my surprise he immediately recognised me despite my new get up! He was very friendly all through the shoot.”
Apparently Mariya, despite his fierce looks, is a good mimic apart from being a good dancer as the Gangnam style dance in Desingu Raja proved, to a shocked audience.
And now he’s determined to showcase the various facets of his personality. Says he, “I’m indebted to my friends Vasanthabalan who turned me into a villain and to Ezhil who, knowing that in real life I’m very humorous, made me a comical villain. Jilla is a big break for me. In future, I want to play only comical villains, like Nagesh in Thillana Mohanambal.”