Comedian Vadivelu is in great form playing the lead as he returns to the silver screen after a sabbatical with the film Eli. Having faced serious problems and taking them in his stride, the actor reveals that he would continue to act in films. In a freewheeling chat, he did not rule out the possibility of entering politics in the 2016 Assembly elections. “Anything can happen in future! Who knows, a rat (Eli) under pressure may jump in any direction (laughs),” the comedian said to break the ice.
On Eli he says, “I did Imsai Arasan and Thenaliraman where I spoke chaste Tamil, here in Eli, it is colloquial Tamil and few English lines. I play a spy who infiltrates a criminal gang. I have eight different get-ups including one of a woman and one Afro-American look in this comedy riot.”Set in 1960s and 70s, Vadivelu says that he and his co-star Sada have danced for the classic Hindi song Mere Sapnon Ki Rani from Bollywood blockbuster Aaradhana which had Superstar Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore in the lead. This unit has taken the necessary permissions to do this without causing controversy.
Reacting to a question on Sada sharing screen space with him, which has created a stir in K’town, Vadivelu shot back, “Are we calling heroines to get married and bear children or what? After all, it is a business of cinema and depending on the script we approach actresses to act opposite us, and not for anything else. Had it not been Sada, it would have been another heroine. Anyway, in Eli, I don’t have many romantic or up-close scenes with Sada.”
When asked if he would make a comeback as a comedian in other big heroes’ films, he candidly admitted that he is ready for it. “I have heard 10 scripts which have comedy as the prime theme.”
Would he do an out-and-out film based on politics? The actor disclosed that he has signed a film where he plays a Chief Minister. “Don’t get worried. There’s no politics in it, it is full-fledged comedy.”
He says that if he gets a chance to act with Rajinikanth, he would definitely consider it. “My last film with Rajini sir (as a hero) was Chandramukhi which was a sleeper hit. If I get movie which has similar scope for performance, I would not hesitate to sign up.”
Is your Eli competition to Vijay’s Puli? (Laughs) “You want to drag me into controversy! It’s not going to happen. If Eli runs in one direction, let Puli also run in another direction. Today’s heroes have six packs, but I have only one back (showing his backside). I am no action hero or Arnold Schwarzenegger. So, I restrict myself to my strengths.”
