Akash is similar to me: Vijay Babu

It has been 10 months since Lal Jose directed Nee-Na hit the screens. The major highlight of that movie was Vijay Babu, till then seen in the supporting as well as negative roles, who got introduced in the protagonist role.

The actor-producer, who later shifted his focus back to the supporting roles, will now be seen in a hero avatar in Khais Milan’s debut movie Akashvani.

Akashvani is a close-to-the-heart project for the actor as he was involved in the discussion level of the film, even before its director came on board.

“Initially, my friend Rajesh Nair (director of Escape from Uganda) was supposed to direct this project. I was with him since the discussion stage of the script. When he got busy with some other projects, I suggested Khais Milan as the director for the film, which is produced by Pravin. I knew Khais for the past few years; he was the associate director of our film Peruchazi,” says Vijay.

It was after Khais came on board the crew approached Vijay to essay the title role — Akash. “As I knew the story as well as minute details about the lead character, I did not go for a second thought to say ‘yes’.

More than that, I could relate myself to Akash as we both have common characteristics. Like Akash, I too was working with a corporate company. Hence, the role was not a challenge for me,” says the actor, who pairs up with Kavya Madhavan for the first time.

He was approached with the role a year ago. Then, why did this film get delayed? “In fact, the first schedule of Akashvani was completed even before the release of Nee-Na. Then, we had to suspend the shoot for a few weeks as Kavya and I got busy with some other projects,” says Vijay, who essays a key role in Mudhugavu, produced by his own production house.

Vijay points out that  now films are not produced based on the satellite rights. “It is just an additional revenue. If the film is good, it will earn good money. My production house does not depend upon satellite rights to complete a project. But, when I became an actor, I had to think about that because I didn’t want the producer, who cast me as hero, to face a commercial loss,” he says.