SRINIVASA RAMANUJAM

Fans of thala have reason to rejoice. For, this Friday, they’ll get a taste of their favourite actor after a long time. Ajith might have dropped the ‘Ultimate Star’ tag but that will not stop him from providing ultimate entertainment to fans, it seems.

Aasal has proved to be quite an experience for the actor. That was because he was not just involved in it as an actor but also as a co-director. He has written scenes and has been credited for his work in the film. So, why’s the interest shifting from the screen to behind the camera? “Some things are just destined to happen,” he starts off, “I worked hard on Aasal right from day one. The directors and producers have been magnanimous enough to give me credit for that.”

Does the decision to co-direct arise from the fact that director Saran’s previous venture Modhi Vilayadu had a lacklustre response at the box office? “Not at all,” he replies, “I have never worked with a director keeping his past records in mind. Most of my directors — like A R Murugadoss and S J Suryah — were relatively new when I first worked with them.”

The movie has been physically demanding for the actor. “I was present on the sets even for scenes that I wasn’t part of,” states Ajith, “A major portion of the film was shot in France and it required a lot of travelling. And, I’ve also been an active part of post-production.”

Ask Ajith what the USP of Aasal will be, and he’s quick to reply. “It’ll be quite a package,” he adds, “There are no narcissistic scenes in the film. Yes, there are close-up shots but only to the extent that’s required. The film’s not just about me; it’s about others too.” The handsome actor hopes that the film will be a trendsetter of sorts. “I hope it sets a benchmark for how a film should be. It should dictate the quality of films that’ll hit screens in the next five years.”

Known as the ‘Ultimate Star’ for so long, Ajith recently sought to drop the title. Explaining the reasons behind it, the star says, “I was very uncomfortable about the whole thing. Sometimes, things are thrust upon you and you have no option but to accept them. But today, I’m at a point where I can decide how things should be and that’s why the ‘Ultimate Star’ has been dropped.”

Ajith’s look in Aasal was a hot topic of discussion in Kollywood circles sometime ago. So, how important is the look to the film? “We just wanted to emphasise that the hero was fashion-conscious. And, because Paris — where we shot — is the fashion capital, the look had to match that.”

His latest look, minus the mohawk and the stylish moustache, is now making waves. Is it true that this is Ajith’s look for his upcoming film with Gautham Menon? “No,” he clarifies, “I was tired of the beard and moustache and one fine day, I just went to a barber and asked him to remove both! Yes, I’m looking forward to working with Gautham but I’d rather have the producers come out with an official announcement.”

Source: Times of India (Dated: 3-2-2010)