Talent unlimited

Generally, when someone forays into acting, they want to hog the limelight and make history. But Rajeev Ravindranathan, the unassuming actor who plays P Ramamurthy in English Vinglish, is different. This Bengaluru-based actor reveals that he just signed up for yet another film with R. Balki, the National award winner and the director of Cheeni Kum and Paa.

“When it’s Balki, there is no thinking twice. It’s still untitled and the director wants to be very secretive about the plot. But one thing is for sure. Amitabh Bachchan will be in it, and as in any other Balki movie, and he’ll be doing something he doesn’t usually do. Dhanush has also signed up for it and Kamal Haasan’s younger daughter, Akshara Haasan will be making her debut in it,” he reveals.

Ask him if he’d like to play a lead role sometime, he says he isn’t lead material. “Many people confuse me for a comedian. I’m not. I’ll play any role, be it black or white. I just like being part of the film, as long as it’s a well thought-out film,” he says, adding that he doesn’t choose the script, but chooses the filmmaker. “Balki keeps it minimal and interesting. He respects film making and I like that about any director,” he says, having previously worked with Rajkumar Hirani in 3 Idiots.

The Christ graduate began his acting career with theatre performances and still likes to be a part of it. “I don’t want to stop acting in theatre; maybe one or two plays a year, will suffice,” he says, as being a father of two and shuttling between so many projects could get difficult. “While shooting for English Vinglish I had to stay away for six weeks, and my wife and kids supported me,” he says. Speaking of working with Sridevi, he says, “She’s an amazing co-actor and it’s an inspiration to watch her work. She’s rather quiet off-screen but we got along well.”

The busy bee is not only busy with his films, but also ad stints. He has already shared the screen with Amitabh Bachchan in a recent ad. “I’m happy to be just part of it because it’s what I love doing,” concludes the talented actor.