Arya is one actor who never ceases to spring a surprise when it comes to experimenting with his characters — be it an aghori from Kasi in 'Naan Kadavul', or the young dhobi in the period film 'Madarasapattinam' or boisterous playful half-brother in 'Avan Ivan'. Once again he is at it in Selvaraghavan’s 'Irandaam Ulagam' (Varna in Tollywood), a fantasy subject where he essays a dual role, which hits the marquee today. Arya talks about Selva, why he is often linked with his costars Anushka and Nayan, on turning distributor, marriage plans, producing a film for his brother Sathya in an exclusive to DC.
'Irandaam Ulagam', in trademark Selva style:
People ask if I have any qualms about IU or Varna being touted to be a ‘Selva film’. It is a Selva movie. Any film is a director’s film, whether new or old. At the end of the day, audiences see the actors in it and if it’s from a reputed filmmaker like Selva, the expectations are much greater from the actor.
Arya and Anushka, the pillars of IU — says Selva:
It feels great when a director makes such a remark. It shows his confidence in us. The story revolves around only two of us and both playing two characters each. I am reassured of the fact that I have given my best. Moreover, we were like a family, shooting 90 days in a foreign country, which is unheard of in Tamil cinema.
Selva’s clarity helped us pull it off:
Initially, when Selva narrated the script to me, I wondered how he would translate the fantasy subject which he conceived on to the screen. I thought the execution part would be a difficult task. Thanks to the vision and the super clarity he had as we started working on it, it has turned out wonderfully well.
Facing Nightmarish hailstorm in Georgia:
We had to go through a terrifying phase when hailstorm Pelavi struck while we were shooting in Georgia. People there said it was the biggest in the last 100 years. Everywhere there was nothing but water, including the entire place where we were staying. The whole town was non-functional for 10 days. There was no food, no drinking water, no electricity, drainage overflowing…my god!
Don’t feel trapped simply because my films take time
People sometimes ask me if I feel trapped, especially when my films take a long time to shoot. First of all, I go with the directors’ vision be it Bala sir (Naan Kadavul), or Selva. I know these are characters for lifetime and I would never get an opportunity to work in similar ones. So, I enjoy every bit of my work. I travel with them. After all, they are also working for the project.
Linkups with female costars, a publicity gimmick?
(Laughs) If it is a publicity gimmick, I should be the one who is creating them, which is not so. I can’t be stopping people writing what are figments of their imagination and I have no time to explain to anyone. I know such stories will die eventually.
Turning a distributor for IU:
IU is an international film. In Tamil Nadu, we know how a film fares with the exact figures soon after its release. But, in Malaysia and Singapore, it is very difficult to get the figures and its run status. So, unless one finds out on one’s own, one wouldn’t know the real potential of a film. My recent film, Raja Rani, did very well there. So, I took a chance and thought of distributing IU there.
Anushka, hero of the film:
Seldom do heroines get the kind of meaty role Anushka got in 'Irandaam Ulagam'/'Varna'. She has been amazing in her roles and when she did sword fighting and other similar stuff, she was very convincing. Anushka never compromises even if Selva says ok. She would ask for one more take and make sure that she gets her act perfect. She is a simple and down-to-earth person, throws no tantrums on the sets. She was, in fact, extra sweet which was slightly unbelievable! She is a very warm person and I felt as if I have worked with her earlier.
On Anushka describing him as a ‘cool’ hero:
(Smiles) I always keep myself light and never bother anyone even if I have an issue. That makes everyone’s work easy!
On his ideal girl
It is something which one can’t plan. It can happen even tomorrow. I have not found the right person yet! She will be only a girl of my choice and could be from the film industry too, who knows?
One for his Brother Sathya:
I have started a movie under my banner, The Show People, for my brother Sathya, which is titled Amara Kaviyam. It is being directed by Jeeva Shankar.
