In an interaction with Showville, Malayalam actor Indrajit talks about his slow and steady progress in films, his choice of roles and the inevitable comparisons with younger sibling Prithviraj.
choice of films, Right from the beginning, I have always stayed away from getting typecast. I don’t think any actor would want to do stereotypical roles. In my case I have been lucky to get so many different characters in my decade-old career. What worked for me is that since I never attempt the same kind of roles twice, my audience expect a level of unpredictability when I come on screen.
Today, I am working with a lot of fresh directors who have innovative ideas and impeccable technical know-how. Like some of our great directors in the ’80s — Padmarajan and Bharathan — the new lot is well-read, watch a lot of world cinema, and is hugely passionate about their art.
As for comparisons between (younger brother) Prithviraj and me, I have always maintained that our paths are different. I began as a villain, tested waters playing multi-dimensional characters and moved on to hero roles. From the beginning I knew the journey would be time-consuming. Thankfully, the time was ripe. Not only was cinema more receptive to young faces but a lot of people like me were trying to find their place.
Malayalam cinema is now going through an important phase what with new directors and a multiplex-loving audience, who are open to fresh ideas and themes. But the best phase is yet to come. It is also important to market our cinema more. For example: Tamil cinema is being watched in Mumbai with equal fervour like a Bollywood film today.
Though I have done my bit of experimentation, period films still remain elusive to me. I am keen to do a historical character. Though my role in V K Prakash’s Karmayogi is based on Hamlet, it is still fiction. Ultimately, cinema is a huge gamble and however much you try and choose your roles with care, nine of 10 films might not work. That is the beauty of cinema.
For me, two things come first — either my role should be exceptional or the script. So I would say yes to an ordinary script where my role is extraordinary. Contrary to popular beliefs, being part of multi-starrers is fun and we have a lot of off-screen camaraderie going on which translates into great chemistry on screen. When it comes to inspiration, I look up to most of the actors, starting from my dad (the late Sukumaran), and I watch a lot of movies, observe and read a lot.
Right now I am working on 'Eee Aduthakalathu', in which I play a roguish guy. Next is Amal Neerad’s Bachelor Party where I play an uber cool youth and there is Karmayogi ready for release. I am happy being in cinema and the kind of acceptance it has given me. Now I am looking forward to bigger and better roles.
(Indrajith is a leading actor in Mollywood)