Chandran, who made his debut with Prabhu Solomon’s Kayal, is starring in director Anbazhagan’s Rubaai that’s releasing tomorrow. “I play a lorry driver in the film and the subject revolves around the greed for money. What happens when he comes to Chennai from Theni and how he lands in trouble while attempting to earn money is the story,” says Chandran. “It’s a thriller, and we have shot it in the outskirts of Chennai and Munnar.”
As Anbazhagan is the assistant of Prabhu Solomon, with whom Chandran worked in his debut film, he didn’t find too much difference in the working style. “Prabhu himself has co-produced this film. And I worked with Anandhi too in Kayal,” he says.
The actor was to have worked on an adult comedy that released in 2015 to positive reception, but rejected it.
“I knew it would become a hit. Yennaa, namma audience andha maadhri. Acting-kaaga aruvaal edukkalaam, but I don’t want to encourage profanity and sexism in films. After doing Kayal, I didn’t want to ruin my reputation,” he tells us.
The actor is also doing an extended cameo in the Krishna-starrer, Grahanam. “It’s an experimental film that’s only an hour and forty five minutes long. But don’t think it’s a festival film like Visaaranai or Kaaka Muttai. It is very much targeted at the multiplex audience. Even though I come for only 15 minutes in the film, I drew great satisfaction being a part of it.”
Is it wise for a hero like him to do villain roles? “Why not? It’s good to try different things. In fact, I’m happy to do supporting roles too,” he says. The actor realises he should work on his comedy and dancing skills, and hence, has chosen to work in Thittam Pottu Thirudura Koottam. “Parthiepan’s a part of this film, and it’s a laugh riot. I play an IT professional, and Parthiepan plays my paternal uncle. Sai Sudharshan, who was a part of Kalaignar TV’s Naalaiya Iyakkunar, is directing it,” he says.
But the project he’s most excited about is Venkat Prabhu’s Party. “The story’s about me, and we are all travelling to Fiji this month end. I like how the off-screen chemistry of actors on his sets spills over into the film too,” he says.
Chandran eventually wants to become a director. “I already try and pitch in as an assistant director in my films,” he smiles.