Fortunately or otherwise, Jayam Ravi has become synonymous with his film Jayam (2003). It certainly pleases him. He makes no attempt to draw any attention to himself. He courteous to strangers and the crew, and you really can’t help but warm up to the man. Awaiting the release of Bogan, Ravi seems realxed, and shows no signs of tension or stress. ‘How?’ we ask him, and he says more about Bogan...
“Bogan is an out-and-out entertainment venture. I play an assistant commissioner in this one. It’s a sincere character, and has a dual-dimensional to it. But due to certain circumstances, the other side of me will come out. It’s largely an action thriller, and doesn’t fall under any particular genre. At the same time, the story has a romantic angle and a family backdrop to it. It’s not your usual commercial film. All the necessary elements are there, but in a different format. When director Lakshman narrated the script to me, I wanted to do it because of the characterisation.
What does Bogan mean?
The word refers to someone who’s addicted to worldly pleasures. You need to wait till the release to know the answer. (Smiles)
After Thani Oruvan (2015), Arvind Swami and you have teamed up for this film. How was the experience?
We were confident that there shouldn’t be any similarities between Bogan and Thani Oruvan. The characters and screenplay are different. Both Arvind and I have positive and negative shades to our characters. Arvind is a natural actor and he plays a former prince in the film. The audience will fall in love with him once again. He’s extremely down to earth, and easy to be with. We used to have lengthy conversations on the sets. I look up to him as a senior artiste. The film’s trailer is being appreciated for not only the content, but also for a natural, quirky camaraderie between the us. While shooting, we both got along really well. There is always a lot of fun when there is a huge cast involved.
Bogan is your second film with Lakshman after Romeo Juliet (2015)...
Yes, and he knows what I expect, and it’s vice-versa. For example, when he narrates something to me, its as if he is performing the entire film in front of me.
You’ve done films belonging to very different genres. What have you enjoyed the most?
It is tough to choose. No actor is comfortable doing just one kind of film. So, it’s difficult to say that I am better at this or what I am more comfortable with. There are all challenges.
Movies that you and Hansika do have been hits...
(Grins) She’s my lucky charm, and I am hers, I guess. Her role in Bogan will be different. She plays a homemaker.
Upcoming films?
I am doing this yet-to-be-titled film with Vijay. We have wanted to work together for a long time, but only now things have fallen into place. He’s like a brother to me. Most of his films have strong emotions, love and humanity. He’s one of those directors who extracts performance-oriented roles from any actor effortlessly. Vijay has given me a totally different role, and I am confident that it will elevate my career to another level. This film will have a fair mix of love, sentiments, and action. Sayyeshaa plays my love interest. The story loosely revolves around ‘Who’s the better man?’ I am also a part of Shakti Soundar Rajan’s Tik Tik Tik. We have worked together in Miruthan earlier. I play a magician here, and am undergoing classes from Vasanth, an illusionist. The script has a universal appeal. It’s a space film. Now, thanks to all magic classes, my son Aarav eats quickly at home without much fuss! (Laughs)
What kind of films do you want to explore more?
There are different levels of being a hero in Tamil cinema. With every film, I have moved on to a different action or commercial-hero mould. First, the films, should give me scope for acting. And then, the story should be good and out of everything, it has to sell.
When a film is made, is it a director’s or an actor’s film?
Definitely a director’s film! Someone can do a presentation but if you don’t direct well, whatever you do, you will not be able to rise above the script.