I didn't know how to deal with stardom, says Arvind Swamy

It’s been well over two decades since he lit up the screen in Roja, but there’s no other image of Arvind Swamy that you’d rather associate the man with. Making a comeback in Hindi films after years, the actor still exudes the same charm. Arvind admits that he wasn’t ready to take to stardom when he started his journey and how a sabbatical from films is one the best gifts he gave himself. Excerpts from an interview:

What made you say yes to Dear Dad after sixteen long years (his last outing was Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya)
I wasn’t comfortable with the idea initially. I took time to understand the script and when I read the synopsis of the story, I believed that a film should be made on the unique situation shown in Dear Dad.

Could you throw some light on that unique situation?
It is very emotional and shot in the simplest way. There is too much to tell the audience, but there’s no melodrama in the film.

People still remember you from Roja and Bombay. Would you agree you’re choosy in Bollywood?
My doors are always open for any film — be it in the south or Bollywood. I feel that the audience is more receptive now, so I have more opportunities to explore than I did before. Back then, things were way different. I am fortunate that people still remember me from these two films.

Why did you take a sabbatical from films?
I started very early. I did my first film Thalapathi in 1991. Soon after, I did Roja and my life changed. I lost my privacy. People began to recognise me. I didn’t know how to deal with my stardom. I feel acting is just one aspect of my life. I am a very solitary kind of person. I don’t like talking about myself every now and then, though I am obligated to tell people about the films. During the sabbatical, in the 2000s I used to make software codes for games and other companies. I enjoyed that phase.

Film promotions have drastically changed now since the ’90s...
There is so much competition and various modes of entertainment. Social media has taken everything by storm. My friends make fun of me that I tweet once in a while. Also, I feel that recall value is almost nil these days, so constant promotions are a must.

Will we see you with Mani Ratnam anytime soon?
Even I am waiting for that opportunity again (laughs). He launched me in Thalapathi in 1991 and made some of his best films with me such as Roja and Bombay to name some. I have learned a lot from him. I was enjoying my sabbatical till he offered me Kadal in 2013.

We get to see so many south remakes in Bollywood. Will any of your films be remade too?
I think Tamil films are very creative and offbeat. I don’t think that Hindi film industry would ever try to make Tamil remakes. They often do Telugu remakes since they have a commercial value attached to it.

What’s next for you now in the southern industry?
I have done Thani Oruvan last year and now I am looking forward to the release of Bogan, which I am filming now.