Recently
there have been lots of accusations that TV is adversely affecting the
cinema industry. What is your opinion on that?
It is a fact. Middle class people are mesmerized with mega serials.
Only youngsters are going to theatres now. Pirated VCDs are another
big problem.
Do you mean that the quality of movies has
nothing to do with this trend?
Unless the movie is extremely good, people don't like to take the pain
to go to theatres.
Do you think drama was affected when cinema
came in?
Not at all. In fact, we were at our peak when cinema was doing
well. But after the arrival of satellite channels, people see all of
us right from their home. Obviously, going out to the theatre is a pain
and has become an expensive affair.People don't prefer it.
Do u think drama will still thrive?
It is going to be difficult. We really need to do something about it...
perhaps, we should think of government subsidies and things like that.
You have been everywhere - you are in stage,
TV and cinema. Where do you think you belong?
Definitely I belong to stage. All big artistes in the world like Sivaji
came from stage. I am proud to say that I too belong to stage.
What
are the roles you play in the creation of a play?
I write stories, direct and act. I don't write dialogues as I can't
write Tamil. I have someone else to write the dialogues but I play a
part in improvization.
Out of these roles, which is your favourite?
Off late I have a liking for direction. Like to create more artistes.
Unlike cinema and TV, the response from
the audience affects the performance on the stage. Doesn't it?
In a way it is true. If the response is good, we are encouraged to perform
better. But stage artistes cannot be so sensitive to the response of
the audience.
How would you describe your plays?
Social comedies. I don't like to give a meaningless comedy for the entire
two hours. Our theme would be a social problem and we give a solution
blended with comedy. There always is a message in our plays.
In the 1980s you were at your peak -
almost there were not movies without you. From there when offers started
decreasing, how did you feel?
It is part of life. It is like aging. You can't do anything about it.
I have taken it in the right stride. But I have not vanished from the
scene. I am still in the media in one way or the other. How well you
are remembered is more important than how long you survived. I think
I am remembered well. Otherwise you would not be interviewing me today.
Has
being the co-brother of Rajinikant ever been an advantage to you?
Never. I got my offers purely based on my performance.
What are your current assignments?
Going to do a Kannada serial and another serial in Tamil for Sun TV.
I may be directoring a Tamil movie as well.
That's great. Could you give us more details
on the movie you are going to direct?
Everything is in the preliminary stage. There is nothing much to say
now.
After your chemical engineering and MBA,
if you had continued in the same line, perhaps, you might have been
a CEO somewhere. Do you ever regret that you have missed the opportunity?
Never ever. Probably I could have made more money. But I would not have
got this kind of satisfaction. Even if I am given another birth, I like
to do my B.Tech, MBA and then get right into the stage.
