I was not a fussy kid and had a good appetite. Only, I was not happy to eat keerai and vegetables.
I prepare my style of biriyani by sauting sliced onion, tomato, green chilli, ginger garlic and add required water and rice. If I end up adding a tad too much of salt, I used to add curd to balance it.
When my parents force-fed me healthy food, they were confident they were giving me the best. But now, when I feed my children, I am not sure if what I am giving them is safe. Politics and pesticides are destroying our food culture.
The food we eat is our identity. The youth of the nation must save our food culture and traditions. If not, it will affect future generations.
If I am ever forced to choose between my identity as a Tamilian and an award from the central government, I will choose the former.
I am always for and with the Tamil people.
I don't take any project lightly. Every project is important for me. In fact, every scene in every film is important.
Director Jai Krishna is an optimist who has a never-say-die attitude. He has impressed me thoroughly with his faith in the industry. Not many are aware of the fact that this man had to wait for almost 30 years in this industry to direct 'Vanmam,' his first film.
During script narrations, if I feel the screenplay mood jumping abruptly, I tell the director, and they work on it.
All my films have turned out well only because of the director's brilliance, not because of me.
The energy of first-time directors is tremendous. They work beyond the limits for a hit in this competitive industry.
I don't overact, so people think that I naturally act well. I underplay my roles, and that has worked for me.
I worked as an accountant in an auditor's office, at a textile showroom, a telephone booth, and a fast-food joint while studying. My dad found it odd, but he never interfered in any of my decisions.
I don't differentiate a film as off-beat or commercial, because I just don't understand the difference. 'Naanum Rowdy Thaan,' for example, wasn't written for me. It came to me by chance after two or three other heroes turned it down. I agreed to do the role, as I liked the script immensely.
I have always felt that doing too much of homework makes the performance look plastic. I don't even watch the monitor after I finish my scene because I can't reprise it. I just go with the flow.
I'm excited and nervous about every film; once I understand the medium fully, I'll relax.
I want to make my kind of films but make them work commercially, too. When my presentation meets the director's imagination, the result will be great.
If you don't see me act, my work is done. The actor must never take the character beyond the scope of the movie.
Whenever I am shooting in Chennai, I spend most of my time with my wife and kids. Sometimes, I take my kids to the shooting spot, and they just love it.
I am an artist who is ready to grab interesting roles that comes my way.
I am not bothered about my career graph, as I am someone who doesn't believe in planning things.
I've never consciously done 'safe' commercial projects; luckily, they have done well.
'Purampokku' was one of those rare films made just like it was narrated.
The very expectation that an actor loves to experiment becomes a shackle that is difficult to snap out of.
As an actor, you need to use everything at your disposal.
The story is important for any movie, for it is in the film industry, the consumer pays the money before he or she gets the product. So, the responsibility of delivering a good product is on us.
Audience come with expectations, and our job is to engage them for two hours. We take efforts to make the story more interesting and also present it in such a way that it is liked by all the audience.
I never take credit for my movie's success. I am the face of the movie, but there are numerous unsung heroes behind the scene. From the director, cameraman and editor to the light boy, everyone knows how difficult it is to satisfy the audience.
Directors are the fulcrum of the movie. They guide us well, not merely rein actors in. Whenever we stray, they bring us back on track.
When I did 'Naanum Rowdy Thaan' with Nayanthara, she was in the peak of her career - I was apprehensive about her willingness to act with me.
There's no challenge involved in any kind of role. I don't have to prove or impress anybody.
My job is to be sincere to my script. I am passionate about what I do.
I don't have a role model.
A new character is like bringing a new human being into your life.