Now, more than a hero’s friend

Though offers have been pouring in, Balaji isn’t in a hurry to prove his mettle.

“I don’t want to do too many films, and I am quite careful choosing my roles. When I started out, I didn’t realise I was talking too fast in films. Usually, when a film gets released, I watch it from close quarters and analyse what I have performed onscreen. I am quite conscious that I don’t repeat any mistake that I notice the previous time,” he smiles.

Balaji, who’s also a part of a couple of films besides the Jai-Surbhi-starring political thriller Pugazh, says that these days filmmakers consider him for more than a hero’s friend role, who would give advice on love.

“Spontaneity has always been my strength and I don’t let go of that. Even in Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, I was allowed to add my inputs, while shooting. In that regard, I have always considered myself lucky to work with directors who gave me a free hand,” he says. Balaji doesn’t surprise you when he confesses he never planned to be an actor. “I was an accidental actor. Basically a ‘shy type, decent family, share auto boy’,” he laughs.

Heaping all praise on Nayanthara, he tells us, “I was actually a little nervous on the first day of the shoot. Eventually Nayanthara and I became good friends. We call each other ‘Hey, dude’. But off the sets, I share a brotherly bond with her.”

Balaji says he wants to do ‘good, clean and fun movies’. “I do films accordingly to the way audiences react to my role. I feel it’s a better way to gauge myself. These days, the comedy genre has been reduced to crass drama with double meanings, bordering on vulgarity. I think more than success, it’s necessary that no film should be remembered as a bad film for an artiste. I always intend to deliver my best,” he explains. So, does he have plans to quit radio? “No, I don’t think so because radio taught me how to connect with people and the medium always gives me a high,” he signs off.