Kishore Interview – “I had no apprehensions in doing a negative role in Kabali”
Kishore is one truly majestic actor in our midst. In addition to being a prominent personality in Kannada films, this tall, well-built actor has an impressive body of work in Tamil cinema too. Up next from him is Kabali, where he plays a gangster who opposes Superstar Rajini. In this freewheeling interview to Kaushik LM, Kishore opens up for a pleasant chat.
How did you get into the Kabali unit?
It isn’t a big story. The information was first given to me by Prakash Raj sir. Thanu sir then called me and asked me to meet Ranjith regarding this role. Ranjith narrated it over the phone and it was very nice. I would have done it, irrespective of how it was.
Do you fondly recall your first meeting with Superstar on the Kabali sets?
It was during the Chennai schedule, when the pre-climax episodes were being shot on set. I have interacted with him as a fan so many times through his films. It is such a dear, intimate association with his films and he has been such a part of our lives. Hence, I didn’t feel much about this meeting and I even feel odd to say this outside. It was very comfortable and nice to meet him, as he is such a likable and simple personality.
Was this your first ever meeting with him?
I have met him a couple of times before but those were very short ‘Hi,Hello’ meets. For the Chandramukhi 200 days function, Avinash sir took me in place of his wife. I was looking for an entry to Tamil cinema back then and it was a nice experience at this event.
Being an avid follower of Rajini, what is your favorite among his films?
Thalapathy, even though there are a whole lot of other films. You always like a child, irrespective of whatever it does. That’s how Rajini sir is, too. We all love to watch him work on screen.
About the magnitude of your role in Kabali?
I am not aware of the magnitude of the role as I haven’t seen the complete film yet. I just saw my portions while dubbing. It depends on what is required in the final edit. I can say that the role has its importance and is crucial to the flow of the film and its direction.
You had any apprehensions in doing a negative role opposite the Superstar?
My character had to generate that negative feeling and it was supposed to happen. I had no apprehensions while shooting it as Rajini sir was so comfortable and easy to work with. If people shout at me, it’s a success for my role. If someone hits me in public, it’s an ever bigger success (laughs).
Kishore also added that Rajini’s cult ‘Kabali Da’ monologue was placed after his ‘Yaar Da Andha Kabali’ line just for the sake of the teaser cut. “I am also very curious to see how the theme song (Neruppu Da) is placed in the film.”
About Ranjith’s direction caliber and abilities?
Rajini sir has a huge audience base and he is sharing his audience with a comparatively new director like Ranjith and all of us, small time actors. This is a nice development and a great thing for cinema. It happened to me in Kamal sir’s Thoongavanam too. Actors like me have to work a lifetime for an audience base. Rajini sir and Kamal sir have shared their massive audience base with us, taking the legacy of cinema forward.
Coming to Ranjith, he is a well-read, knowledgeable and mature human being. Kabali will not just be a commercial film. It has lots of undercurrents like Malaysia’s history, economy, geography, political aspects, the condition of Tamils over there etc. All these layers are because of Ranjith’s presence. Kabali is not just an entertainer from the Superstar. There were a lot of well-read people in Ranjith’s team, and it was nice working with them.
What are your first day first show plans?
No FDFS plans yet as I will be shooting for Vada Chennai. I may have to go in disguise (laughs).
Coming to Vada Chennai and the familiar feeling of working with director Vetri Maaran …
It is a nice and comfortable working atmosphere, I enjoy good sync with Vetri Maaran. Non-actors like me fit well in his films (laughs) and he can shape us the way he wants. A lot of actors from Polladhavan have been repeated and all of us have role reversals. It will be the complete opposite, in Vada Chennai. All characters have a lot of importance and they’ll be complete and strong. The characters take the story forward and one can’t judge the direction of the flow. Vetri can manage and put together all of this very nicely.
I like his craft and all his films will be in my list of favorites. He is capable of handling complicated emotions in a simple manner. His films are entertaining, educative, involving, realistic and thought provoking.
The Dhanush from Aadukalam and the Dhanush in Vada Chennai, can you feel any change in the actor within him?
I loved him back then, and I love him now too. He was a fantastic actor back then too. Actors like me have language issues, particularly with the North Madras slang in Vada Chennai. He has to react to my undercooked language spontaneously, on the set. That can be really challenging and he deserves an award for that itself (laughs). He has matured over the years and it is lovely to watch him perform. He has been a fresh, original actor all along and I can’t feel any difference.
Interviewed by Kaushik LM
