RJ Balaji Interview: “Mani Ratnam sir wants me to express more through my eyes”
The multifaceted RJ Balaji is on a winning run ever since Naanum Rowdy Dhaan happened. His most recent success is Devi, in which he had a short but impactful role, providing the laughs unfailingly. Up next is Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru, alongside GV Prakash, which is set to release on November 10. In this extensive chat with Kaushik LM, Balaji opens up on varied topics.
From reviewing films to acting in films, how is the transition? Are you used to being an actor now?
“It’s not a plan as such to score big in cinema, I have no agenda like that. Apart from a few TV shows, not many were doing cinema reviews back in 2013, when I was doing ‘120 Rs’ on radio. It was just a part of my overall line-up of shows. I would’ve anyway stopped that show soon enough, as I believe in leaving any show on a high. I was forced to leave it, due to certain issues from the film industry.
Cinema offers came knocking and the pay was really big, compared to radio. It was exciting, as a means to settle in life quickly (laughs). I worked with big directors in all my early films but the work that I did was mediocre. I didn’t have much drive to succeed in cinema and was just using the opportunities which came my way. Naanum Rowdy Dhaan changed it all and presented me in my naturally spontaneous style, which clicked. Earlier, I was an actor by chance but I’m comfortable being an actor now. I’ve taken acting seriously as a career now.”
While quitting the ‘120 Rs’ show, you had commented that the film fraternity didn’t have the requisite tolerance and maturity to handle reviews. What’s the case now?
“The young gen directors supported me back then too. I wouldn’t say that the entire industry has the maturity yet, but a certain level of acceptance is there now. You just can’t stop people, as all they need is a smartphone and an internet connection. There are 1000s of people doing reviews now. Kamal sir once said that you can’t fight technology and just have to co-exist with it. I strongly agree with his view. All art forms are open to review. The current generation actors and technicians are taking it sportingly and just laugh away mocking comments and reviews.”
Naanum Rowdy Dhaan is a definite turning point for you …
“Naanum Rowdy Dhaan gave me an address and identity that I could act. Good directors are approaching me post NRD, and I’m working with the likes of Mani Ratnam, A.R.Murugadoss and Mohan Raja now. There is a lot of enjoyable learning, unlearning all through. Mani sir wants me to express more through my eyes and I’m getting a new perception about cinema. It is an exciting process and I am seeking good work.
6 months back, I wasn’t confident about taking up Vijay Milton’s Kadugu when he narrated it to me. I actually felt really emotional after his narration but wasn’t sure of doing justice to a film like that. But now, I can take up such a challenging project. I have that confidence that I can emote and perform, beyond just cracking jokes. I am starting to feel good about my work.”
Most male comedians seem to be typecast as the hero’s friend ?
“The ‘hero’s friend’ tag is unavoidable for any comedy actor. But, I am not just playing the typical Tamil cinema friend in my upcoming films. I have the opportunity to explore more range of emotions in my upcoming roles.”
A lot of youngsters must be seeing you as an inspiration. You have successfully operated in various mediums like radio, TV and now cinema …
“I hosted ‘Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhu Deva’ for some time but I personally didn’t enjoy being a part of such reality shows. I wasn’t having any job satisfaction and also didn’t know the basics of the TV format and how to go about the shoots. I then did close to 30 episodes of ‘Why This Kolaveri’, which gave me the confidence to shine in the TV space too. I learnt from A to Z, and even got into directing few episodes. I could walk with my head held high.
There is a lot of cinema interest in youth nowadays. They have this myth that from TV or radio, they can easily jump to cinema. Be it Santhanam, Sivakarthikeyan, ‘Mirchi’ Shiva or myself, we did our respective jobs very well and got our cinema entries as an added perk. I was a big fan of Sivakarthikeyan’s humor sense when he was in TV, and in the same way Santhanam’s Lollu Sabha was a true trendsetter back then. I advise the students at my radio school that it is their talent which will take them to the next stage. From TV / radio to cinema is a good route but you have to basically be good at what you do!”
You have been a multi-tasker, dabbling in many activities. But with your increased presence in films, of late, do you still get to multi-task?
“I continue to multitask with my daily radio shows, stage shows and ‘Chennai Micro’ activities. We also play cricket among friends. I make time for everything and my life stays the same. Of course, the lifestyle is better due to my cinema earnings. I can buy Zara shirts as and when I wish (laughs).”
You are this new-age media professional, whose growth has been bolstered in a big way by the Internet …
“Internet is a main reason for my growth and it has given me everything that I have today. In 2011, my radio shows were uploaded on Soundcloud by a few known college youngsters. The reach was phenomenal and I got 1 lakh views a day! This was even before the ‘Kolaveri’ rage. Within a span of 6 months, Soundcloud sent me a report stating that my clips were being heard in 197 countries and that I was among the Top 10 users. I took the internet very seriously from then on.
I don’t flood content regularly and there have been just 100 to 120 audio / video files in these 5 years. For me, the content’s quality is very important. I am not seeing the internet as a means to make money, it is more about quality brand building. I am not in any race, and there is no pressure to keep uploading content. 
And ‘Chennai Micro’ was made possible by the internet, with all the volunteers that were mobilized!
One’s own phone is a platform now for all youngsters to showcase their talent. They can create their own opportunities. I advise youngsters to use the internet wisely and differently. The bigger one’s following, the bigger is his/her business scope. Social media following is an investment!”
Finally, what’s up with ‘Chennai Micro’? Any new initiatives planned?
“We never plan activities in ‘Chennai Micro’ and it is more an emotional, spontaneous decision. Long back, me and my grandfather planted 60 saplings on both sides of a road in Thiruvanmiyur, for about 2 months. They are all fully grown trees now. My grandfather didn’t see it as a big achievement, it was just an instinctive choice for him. I have a similar thought process.
Till now, we have provided medical support for about 50-100 people through ‘Chennai Micro’. But we don’t want to seek publicity for all this!”
Best wishes Balaji. Keep shining with all your work!
Interviewed by Kaushik LM