Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; August 1, 2019)

He’s a superstar from Tamil cinema and a National Award-winning actor. But, when you meet Dhanush, you’re greeted by a softspoken, modest human being with no starry airs. After acting, directing, writing, producing and singing in Tamil films (and featuring in two Bollywood films), the actor recently made his foray into international cinema with director, too. In an exclusive chat with BT, he spoke about — his superstar father-in-law Rajinikanth, the international venture and all about returning to Hindi films, soon. Excerpts:

After acting in South and Bollywood, you recently made your international movie debut with Ken Scott’s French-English film, The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir. What made you give your nod to it? Also, how different was this experience from the world of cinema you’re familiar with?
I wait for the right scripts. There were a few offers before this film, but I chose to wait for a story that fits me well. I have my own limitations and I work keeping that in mind — that’s why it takes me time to give my nod. For me, every film is a platform to showcase whatever little I am capable of. Fakir was one such film that I wanted to be a part of.

You have won appreciation and accolades in your career, including a National Award (for Tamil film Aadukalam) What do you mean by saying that you have limitations and are capable of little?
Well, if you haven’t noticed them, I wouldn’t like to bring them to your notice (laughs!). Like every actor, I, too, feel that I could’ve done better because there is so much to improvise on. Of course, I am happy with whatever I have achieved so far, but there’s a long way to go.

Talking about achievements, with every passing day, the film industry is becoming increasingly competitive. As a current generation actor, how tough is it to survive the cut-throat ways of show business?
I can only talk for myself and for Rajini sir to some extent. What you achieve with hard work and focus will remain yours forever. Over a period, cinema becomes our life and without that, there’s nothing left. You might like some of our work and you might not like some, but cinema is what we live for and live with. I agree that in cinema, it’s difficult to find success, sustain it and enjoy a long innings. With newer mediums of entertainment, things have changed and sustaining oneself has become even more difficult.

You wear several hats — actor, director, singer, writer and producer — and your work in each of these spaces is quite distinct. What kind of cinema are you really attracted to?
I really liked watching The Green Book and AndhaDhun in recent times. I actually like to watch all kinds of films. It takes viewers a minute to walk out of a theatre and say, ‘What a bad film and what a waste of money’, but they don’t see the effort that has gone into it. I absorb the good aspects of every film. As an actor, I love to work in comedies, because I am always in a good mood.

So, you never have a bad day at work?
I do, at times. And then, my family, friends and some of my teammates face the wrath of it (laughs!)

A couple of years ago, you made your directorial debut with the Tamil film, Power Paandi. So, do you plan to helm more films?
I am working on a couple of ideas and hopefully, I will direct a film next year. I actually enjoy writing, it’s a beautiful craft. But at times, you can feel restricted. For instance, I don’t have the luxury of time to do research on subjects. So, I write out of experience and my own understanding of a subject.

Who are your sounding boards?
My family and friends, though I don’t have too many. I also bounce my scripts off Rajini sir. His opinion is unbiased.

After Raanjhanaa (2013) and Shamitabh (2015), there has been a considerable gap as far as your Bollywood outings are concerned. Are you deliberately maintaining a distance?
No, I’m not deliberately trying to maintain a distance. I am just going by whatever offers come my way. I have signed up for a Hindi film, but I am not at liberty to speak about it right now.

It’s said that though you had offers immediately after Shamitabh, you didn’t take them up because the film had failed to generate great box-office numbers.
I’ve waited to get on to another Hindi film, but it has nothing to do with Shamitabh’s box-office collection. I’m proud of the film and the fact that I worked with Amitji (Amitabh Bachchan). It was a brilliant film, which was ahead of its time. After Raanjhanaa, I took two years before I got Shamitabh. I don’t limit myself to language and genres, it just has to suit me.

News is also that you will soon collaborate with your father-in-law, superstar Rajinikanth...
It’s not true! Even I was excited when I read that news. I felt what a privilege it would be to share screen space with him, but there’s no truth to it.

Talking about Rajinikanth, speculation about him joining politics has been around for some time now...
That has been the case since 1991. He’s a phenomenon and people will speculate about his entry into politics. But trust me, there is no other side to the man apart from what you see. He’s transparent and honest with his craft and people.