Actor John Vijay is known for playing funny, yet interesting roles in the films that he signs. Excited about his role in Kabali, John Vijay reveals that he didn’t know who Ranjith was when he was called for an audition.
“Director Ranjith saw my other films, and he thought I would be perfect to play Rajinikanth’s sidekick in Kabali. When I went to meet him, I did not know that I was called in for an audition for the movie. I walked in casually without knowing that he was the same Ranjith, who directed Madras! Only halfway through the narration I realised that it was Madras Ranjith, and I confronted him with this. It was a big mistake on my part. But, everything is now cool between the two of us.”
Opening up about his role, the Orampo actor said, “My character in the film is gentle, disciplined, and diplomatic. Whether I play a good guy or bad is up for you to see on screen. It was difficult to enact in the beginning, as it is not my real-life character. If I move out of my character even for a bit, Ranjith would notice and get me back into it. I think I am a director’s actor because he really got something out of me. I will be seen in the film throughout with Rajinikanth!”
After having shared screen with biggies in the past, John Vijay doesn’t have any apprehensions acting with stars. “I need to thank Mani Ratnam for casting me in Raavan, which had an ensemble cast from all industries. So, I got over the fear of acting with big stars. But I still had butterflies in my stomach; I felt better only when Rajinikanth appreciated my acting, and said, ‘You have acted like a ghost in Mounaguru. I was afraid looking at you. I saw myself in you in Orampo!’”
Right from Thalapathy, John Vijay watches the first-day-first-show of any Rajini movie in Devi theatre. “So this time also, I am going to use my influence to get a ticket in Devi and have a blast!” he concludes.
