No celebrity airs. That’s Vishal for you. The Tamil actor always makes it a point to reply to text messages and return calls. Despite being caught in pre-release work for his upcoming film, Poojai, a home production, opening in the UAE on October 30, Vishal took time to talk to us.
Ten years in the industry has seen Vishal grow from an actor who started as an income tax officer in Chellamae to experimenting in Avan Ivan as the squint-eyed and effeminate Walter. The opening scene of Avan Ivan featuring Vishal in a dance sequence is unforgettable.
Vishal and director Hari reunite after 2007’s Thaamirabharani. In Poojai, he plays Vasu, a money lender from Coimbatore.
“Vasu is similar to my characters in Sandakozhi and Thimiru,” he said. “There was not much by way of preparation. He is an ordinary man caught in a triangular action tale that begins in Coimbatore and ends in Patna [Bihar]. Poojai is my biggest film in terms of production, theatre list and budget.”
This is his first film with Sathyaraj, who comes with a tonsured head in a cop’s role. “I am a great fan of his and moments spent with Sathyaraj sir are unforgettable,” recalled Vishal.
Playing the lead and wearing the producer’s hat was certainly not easy for the actor. “From nine in the morning till six in the evening, I focused on my acting. My production team did not disturb me. After 6pm, I would sit down with them for a discussion.”
This is his third film as producer after Pandiya Naadu and Naan Sigappu Manithan. With shooting in progress for his next film, Ambala, under Sundar C.’s direction, Vishal’s schedule has been hectic. Earlier this month, his company had also associated with Hot Shoe Dance Company’s musical Chicago.
“Once Ambala is wrapped up, I am taking a break,” he said. That means heading off to the Himalayas alone. “This is something I have been indulging in after every film, but I could not [do so] last year.”
Finding a thrill in the anonymity while travelling in north India, Vishal enjoys sipping tea at roadside dhabas [eateries] and travelling by bus, [sometimes even sitting on the roof]. I love the solitude.”
And if the trip to the Himalayas does not work out, he will fly to New York, a city that he never tires of visiting.
Another dream Vishal wishes to fulfil “would be to play a negative role someday”.
