“No Tamil film hero has debuted as a sardar,” grins actor Ganesh Venkatram, the Tamil boy from Mumbai who plays the hero Joginder Singh in Duet Movies’ Abhiyum Naanum . So why did he accept such a role? “Being in a Duet Movies project with Prakash Raj and being directed by Radha Mohan was a dream come true,” replies the actor who loved Mozhi made by the same duo. Abhiyum Naanum is about the fatherdaughter relationship and Ganesh plays, Joginder Singh, heroine Trisha’s love interest. Didn’t he think it was a risk, to be typecast as a North Indian character when he was trying to be accepted in Tamil films? “Not at all. The role of Joginder Singh, was a challenge of a lifetime and may never come my way again in Tamil films,” he smiles.
The gamble Ganesh took seems to be paying off. Even as he talks to me, a bunch of girls come gushing upto him saying “Hey it’s Jogi!” before lining up for autographs! The role seems to have got him instant recall even though he is minus the beard and turban in real life! So, how did Ganesh bag this role amidst the tight competition? “The Duet Movies team came to Mumbai for casting and auditions” recalls Ganesh. “But though I was told the role Radha Mohan didn’t look really convinced I could do it. So, I decided to do something to convince him,”grins Ganesh. So, the next day, he appeared before the team completely dressed like a Sardar and greeted Radha Mohan in the lobby of the hotel. “I said I was Malkit Singh and had come from Delhi hearing about the role.
Radha Mohan didn’t recognise me at all and though he was taken aback he went on to narrate the role to me. But the casting director from Mumbai who knew me well, recognised my voice and gave the game away. At that moment there was a huge smile on Radha Mohan’s face and he said ‘Great job’. And the role was mine!” laughs Ganesh.
How easy was it for the Tamil boy to transform himself for the role? “I visited Gurudwaras and learnt all about the religion.
I learnt nuances of the Punjabi language from my friends and I studied their mannerisms and body language closely. I also grew a beard for six months,” grins Ganesh.
This meant forgoing TV serial offers and ads but Ganesh did not mind. Ganesh is very happy with the way the character turned out.
“Joginder is an economist and his character is loosely based on Manmohan Singh. He is dignified, intelligent and large hearted and all that had to be conveyed through my expressions and body language.” One of the highlights of the film is the song in which he plays a Sardar dressed like Dracula, Phantom of the Opera and the Mummy.
So what does the future hold for him? “Prakash Raj and Radha Mohan have been very supportive and very few production houses promote and help newcomers like they are doing. In future I want to do character driven films and roles that people will appreciate.
I want to break boundaries. I don’t want to be slotted in one type of genre. The story and character have to be good.” Will he fit into the mould of the Tamil hero when he has lived in Mumbai all along? “My experience in TV and theatre will help to fit into any role,” he replies confidently.”I have done martial arts for 6 years and I would love to do any type of film from action to romance with all the commercial masala!” he concludes.
Having proved himself with the convincing portrayal of Joginder Singh, looks like Ganesh may get what he wants after all!
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