No more the quintessential loverboy

Quickly Vinay tells us how he rejected many ‘lover boy’ scripts, because he didn’t want to be stereotyped. “Between Unnalae... and Jayamkondaan, I would have rejected at least 100 scripts because I wanted to do only one film at a time, so that I could focus on different genres. I want to do something more than just romancing heroines,” he says.

Hailing from a non-film background, it was indeed tough for Vinay to choose between his first love, rugby — and movies! “I played for my home state Karnataka and then for our country, Eventually, I fell in love with movies,” he smiles.

He adds that he wants to be identified as a director’s actor and not a chocolate boy — “I want to keep experimenting with my looks and characters, and do movies that work well with everybody.

When I get ample scope to perform, I make sure I go to the extent of taking any risk. I want to do films that challenge me more,” says Vinay, who currently has Saran’s Aayirathil Iruvar in his kitty. “I am looking forward to its release because I’ll be seen in a double role for the first time. For a long time, I have been waiting do to a hero-centric action flick — especially when a script strikes the right chord between the story and stunts. Saran has showed me in a different shade,” he adds.

So, does he have regrets at all? “Well, being in the industry for all these years, I have learnt not to let success, appreciation, failure and criticism affect my next project. Every movie has been a learning experience and I am trying to be versatile. I simply believe in my hard work. I would say whatever I have done so far means a lot to me personally, till date,” he quips. Is marriage on the cards? “Right now, I am single and want to focus completely on my films. I am happy being this way. But in the future, I would like to definitely settle down with somebody, who will be a great companion,” Vinay grins.