Daniel Balaji, who has simply floored us with his powerful negative roles in films like Vettayadu Vilayadu and Polladhavan, was on a self-imposed sabbatical — and is now back with a bang! He has eight films in his kitty including Mayavan and 88, among others. He speaks to DC about why he is choosy about films, and his comeback.
“I always look for roles with substance, be it as a baddie or a supporting cast member. It was not a planned hiatus. After a point, I was getting uninteresting character offers, so I declined them. It is not that I was without films — I got Kannada offers and did a movie there,” Daniel opens up.
Ask him why he is returning to villainous roles having acted as the protagonist in films like Marumugam and Gnanakirukkan, and he says, “I never insisted that I would do only lead roles. If I get them, I don’t mind.”
Having said that, the actor has bagged prestigious projects like Vijay’s next untitled film under Bharathan’s direction, Vetri Maaran’s Dhanush-starrer Vada Chennai, and a dozen more movies.
“In Vijay’s movie I essay a unique character, a right hand man of Jagapathy Babu. I have a presence throughout the film,” Balaji adds. In Vada Chennai, Balaji will be sporting a new look — “It is a crucial role, and he will appear to be on both sides of the conflict. He will repent for his misdeeds,” he reveals. Sources add that he also has a romantic pair with him!
