Deepavali means new movies and cricket to me: GV Prakash Kumar

Musician GV Prakash Kumar, the happening man in Tamil cinema with 13 movies including ones with director Bala and Rajeev Menon, shares his memorable Deepavali experiences. “When you say ‘Deepavali’ the first thing that comes to my mind is film releases,” he beams.

Being a huge fan of Vijay, he reminisces his experience as a school boy watching Ilayathalapathy’s 2003 Deepavali release Thirumalai, and he reveals how excited he is to watch Mersal, in a chat with DC.

“When I was young, there were two things which I never ceased to do during Deepavali — playing gully cricket with my friends and watching movies during the festival. Some of my memorable special releases are Sivakasi and Pithamagan. But after becoming a musician, I am more concerned about my ears. So, I am not able to bear the huge noise of crackers,” GVP says.

GV Prakash, who has churned out fun-filled movies over the years, got visibly thrilled when national award-winner Bala approached him for Nachiyaar. “I was more into comedy and other light-hearted genres, but you know comedy is also a serious business. No doubts about it! But, Bala sir has given me a total transformation in Nachiyaar. It is a gem of a movie,” he says.

Though he was not unwilling to spill the beans on the film, GVP shares, “I don’t know if I am allowed to talk. Let me just give a basic outline of my role — I play the character of Kaathu, a convict. I can’t delve anything more about the relationship between Jyothika madam and I. The screenplay is non-linear, and you know about Bala sir’s intense narration. I have undergone an image makeover with brown hair and tanned look. Also, dubbing for the Madras slang was very challenging.”

The young actor says that he shares a nice chemistry with Bala. “There’s a kind of warm bond between us. He is always open to me and he is one of the best directors I have ever worked with. He is the one who has changed my track, and is a great mentor too.”

Also, Sasi’s Rettai Kombu is another film which GVP is excited about. “It’s an intense emotional family entertainer and I am sharing screen space with Siddharth.”

Talking about Rajeev Menon’s film Sarvam Thaala Mayam, Prakash remarks that it was not an easy character to essay — “Imagine! Rajeev Menon sir is returning to wield the megaphone after 17 years and he wanted me in particular to play the lead protagonist in his film. That makes me more responsible! I feel I am exploring new genres and evolving every day.”

As a music director, films like Aadukalam and Aayirathil Oruvan took him to a different heights, he admits. “But I want to try out period films like Baahubali and Padmavathi, which will give me a large canvas to work on.”

After working with many young heroines, GVP considers Shalini Pandey (with whom he has recently collaborated for 100 Percent Kadhal) as his best pair.

The Trisha Illena Nayanthara star is also endorsing several social causes — the most recent being the ‘Tamil Harvard Chair’ initiative — an attempt to elevate the Tamil language in the international arena. “There’s nothing wrong in using your popularity for a good cause.  

I am raising funds for the Harvard Chair through my video album Tamizhaanom, which hails Tamil and popular college rapper Adhi Raja also lends his vocals to the track, along with me.”