I'm a player, not a spectator: Vishal Krishna

Actor Vishal Krishna, who is riding high on the success of his last release Irumbhu Thirai in Tamil and Abhimanyudu in Telugu, turned a year older on 29 August. Interestingly, the actor’s birthday coincided with the 100-day celebration of the bilingual film.

Taking a dig at stars who do charity and social work with a troupe of media representatives to record the historic moment, Vishal says that the day acquires a special hue only when fans are included in the celebration.

For his birthday, Vishal’s most ardent fan — a visually challenged girl from Canada named Akshaya flew in to participate.

“It was the best way to celebrate my birthday. Akshaya is my biggest fan. Although she cannot see, she recognises me on screen through my voice. She knows every single dialogue of mine. And while I’ve forgotten some of them, she has all my lines on her fingertips!” gushes Vishal.

The actor adds, “I wanted Akshaya to give me the trophy to mark the 100-day run of my film on my birthday. I couldn’t think of a better gift. Blowing kisses and taking selfies is not my idea of a birthday well spent.”

Vishal is very clear that celebrity status must be used as a tool for social improvement. “I see no point in being popular if you don’t use your voice to bring about political change. There are lots of positive changes happening in Tamil Nadu politics which I am a part of. I don’t believe in standing in a corner and clapping. I will always be a player, not a spectator,” states the actor, whose next release Sandakoszhi has a strong message on social equality.

“Yet another film of mine which will release in January 2019 is about capital punishment for child rapists. An actor is useful to society only when he uses his voice to create awareness,” concludes Vishal.

HT05