Looks Like 2013 has proven to be a lucky year for actor Arjun Vijayraghavan. Not only has his debut film Unnodu Oru Naal released recently, the actor has also bagged two other projects. In a chat with City Express, the young hero, reveals why he’s so upbeat.
“I never dreamt I would be an actor. My parents are in the banking industry and I don’t have any film connections. But the acting bug bit me during my years at Loyola College,” recalls Arjun. The 6-ft 3 inches tall actor started off as a ramp and TVC model. “I then decided to seriously pursue my passion for showbiz and bagged roles in various telefilms on Vijay TV,” says Arjun.
A meeting with debut director Durai Kartikeyan landed him in the lead role in Unnodu Oru Naal. His perseverance yielded more results. Arjun is playing an important character with shades of grey in Thirumanam Ennum Nikaah, the Jai and Nazriya starrer, directed by Anees, former AD to Nasser. Talking about his role, Arjun says, “I play an IT guy who is a flirt. But his character undergoes a complete change in the second half, giving me ample scope to perform.” Arjun shot for 20 days in IT offices on the ECR and other locations in the city.
But what’s keeping him even more excited, is his first role as a cop in an untitled film directed by newbie Ramesh Venkatraman. “I’m the hero in this crime drama which traces the journey of a cop. Debutant Anjana is my heroine.” Fifty percent of the shoot is over. Playing a cop is every hero’s dream and it was no different for Arjun who is excited to have got this opportunity in his third film itself. So how did he prepare for it ? “Suriya in Kaaka Kaaka was my inspiration. The confidence, integrity and air of authority he exuded, was incredible. So many of our heroes have played cops and I saw a lot of their movies to imbibe their various traits. For the first time, I’m also sporting a moustache in the film!” he smiles.
Ask him about his career goals and he replies, “I don’t want to limit myself. So, as long as my role is substantial, I want to be part of good films. Positive or negative, I want to experiment and diversify into all kinds of roles.”