Interview with Actor Vishnu Vishal

Ahead of the release of Suseenthiran-directed “Jeeva”, actor Vishnu Vishal spoke to Only Kollywood about the film, playing a cricketer on screen, reuniting with his mentor and having two of his best friends in the industry – Arya and Vishal – as producer and distributor, respectively on the project.

Tell us about the story behind ‘Jeeva’. How did the project take shape and what attracted you to another sports-based script after ‘Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu’?

I always wished to work with Suseenthiran again. He’s my mentor and he taught me everything about acting, I never went to any classes. We planned to work in a film called ‘Veera Dheera Sooran’ in between, but that got postponed for some reason. When he returned after two more projects, we decided we should work again. He called me after a few days and asked why we can’t do a cricket film. I told him that I always wanted to do something on cricket because I’ve seen a life as a cricketer nobody has seen and I told him that if we showcase it on screen, it will be wonderful. So I asked him what he has in mind. He narrated a line and I instantly got hooked on to the idea. I always felt more comfortable doing sports-based scripts because I’ve been a sportsman for most part of my life. That was one of the reasons why I wanted to do this film.

How much of background work was needed to develop the script of the film?

We met a lot of players who played cricket at different levels. We met both successful and yet struggling players to understand the sport from different perspectives. We also met cricketers who had to quit due to several reasons. Based on the feedback from all these players, Suseenthiran had something very concrete to develop the script. When he gave me the final narration, I felt no film could portray cricket as professionally on screen as ours. A lot of people are under the assumption that this film is all about cricket, but it’s actually about the life of a cricketer called Jeeva.

We know you’re a professional cricket player, but was there any training required at all for your role? Tell us about the process involved in the preparation for your role?

I didn’t have to train as much as I was required to for my first film because I’ve played cricket for so many years. That wasn’t a problem at all. But no matter how good a player you might be, it’s not easy being a cricketer on sets. At times I was asked to score a six whenever the director wants. They would ask me to repeat the shot so that they could capture it from different angles. Sometimes they would place the camera very close to me. I had to be so spontaneous because it’s not easy to score on every ball you play. I think this was a big challenge. I had to be very confident while playing because I couldn’t afford to waste time.

In the trailer, we see you in a school uniform. Is that also one of the characters in the film? You also seem to have lost weight for that role.

That’s the character off the field. I play a character with lot of variations. My character ranges between an 18-year-old school boy to a 25-year-old. I had to portray that seven-year difference at different stages of my character. To portray that difference was challenging because for the first time in my career I’m playing a school going character. I had to lose weight (7 kg) and sport a clean shaven look.

I came to learn that real cricketers are part of the film. Is that true?

All the players you see in the cricket match sequences are real cricketers. I think that’s one of the biggest pluses of the film because it makes the whole experience realistic. The fun of watching cricket comes alive on screen with real players. The only challenge was to make Soori play cricket (laughs). He plays a bowler and to get his action right wasn’t easy.

How Arya and Vishal got themselves associated with the project?

Arya was involved in the project right from the beginning. He’s co-producing it with The Next Big Film. I came to know that Arya was one of the producers quite late. I was very happy about it and I spoke to him and thanked him. Vishal was part of the film right from scripting phase. Since he had worked with Suseenthiran in his last film and will be working again soon, he knew what he was making next. The first time I heard the story narration was with Vishal. The friendly involvement in the film was there right from the start. After he watched the film, he came and hugged me. He said I’ve done a brilliant film and he was happy that he got to distribute a wonderful film. I was happy too because at the end of the day the producer as well as the distributor should not suffer due to a film. There’s so much of competition in this industry and to see actors helping each other by backing their films is a great gesture of friendship.

How was reuniting with your mentor? You were a newcomer in ‘Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu’, and now you’re a few films old. Has anything changed between you two?

I feel Susi’s way of executing work has changed far beyond what I’ve seen. I mean he knows what he wants and he won’t give up until he gets it right. When he was making his first film, there must have been a lot of pressure and he would quickly finish a shot and move on to the next. But now he’s become a stickler for execution. He’s become very particular about small things like body language, reaction and expressions. You would wonder what difference would these small changes add to the film, but only when you watch it, you realize how important they are. I think he’s developed this quality over the course of his filmmaking journey. As an actor I think that’s a boon because at the end of the day I want to perform well and get noticed. All those who’ve watched the film have appreciated my performance.

Your last film ‘Mundasupatti’ was a blockbuster. How has your career changed after that?

My second and third film didn’t do well at all. After that, I sat down and started thinking about my career. People usually wish for a successful debut and in my case, I got that because something told me that ‘Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu’ was the film for me. After my first film, I signed up projects without proper guidance. I didn’t have anyone in the industry to consult. But those failures
taught me a lot and I realized until and unless I get that feeling which I got in my first film, I wouldn’t do a film. It’s based on this theory I signed my other films. At the end of the day, I realized even if my films don’t turn out to be hits, they’re at least not bad. I can’t judge the fate of a film because only time can tell you that. I wanted to be part of good films. I knew that would mean I have to wait and that’s when ‘Mundasupatti’ happened and it turned out to be the breaking point of my career.

You’ve now completed your second film ‘Idam Porul Eval’ with director Seenu Ramasamy. How has the movie come out?

The film has come out well. I’ve watched it and it’s a typical Seenu Ramasamy style film laced with all the commercial elements. His films are usually labeled as emotional tearjerkers, but this one will be an exception. It’s about two people. How they change over a period of time and what role do they play in each other’s lives. Vijay Sethupathi has played the other lead. I’ve known him since my first film. He was also there in ‘Bale Pandiya’. Over the last few years, I’ve become his fan and we both enjoyed working with each other. Both of us have played important characters in the film.

In essence, ‘Idam Porul Eval’ is a multi-starrer. Are you comfortable doing multi-starrer films?

All my films so far in my career had important characters that drive the film forward. Be it Muniskanth and Kaali in ‘Mundasupatti’ or the goons in ‘Bale Pandiya’ or Soori and others in ‘Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu’ – every character had important part to play. If you see most of my films, I’m just a character in them, but ‘Jeeva’ is the first film that completely rests on my shoulders. I drive the film’s script forward. I play Jeeva in the film. The experience was challenging but the success of my last film gave me the confidence. I don’t have any problem doing multi-starrers because I’m planning to do another film with Vikranth soon for Vishal Film Factory. I actually don’t see it multi-starrers, but as an opportunity to work with friends from the industry.

Vishnu currently has ‘Kalukkuray Maaplay’, a comedy entertainer, with Soori and Bindu Madhavi in his kitty. He has a new project each with C.V Kumar and Vendhar Movies with debutant filmmakers in the offing.