He owes it to his first film for the tag preceding his name.
Ravi — better known as Jayam Ravi — shed his lover-boy looks in Peranamai, in 2009. Experimenting next with a dual role in Ameerin Aadhi Bhagawan, he played the effeminate Bhagawan. While the film sank without a trace, Ravi’s performance was praised.
Once again he takes on the mantle of playing two different characters in Samudrakani’s Nimirundhu Nil.
Ravi on... his dual role
“I play Arvind Sivasamy, an IT professional in his twenties. My other character is forty plus, Narasimha Reddy. While narrating the story, [director] Samudrakani described Arvind as ‘a baby in society’. His naive and simple nature often has him questioning happenings around [him]. Portraying his simplicity posed a challenge. Reddy, on the other hand, lives life to the fullest and savours everything on the fast lane. He knows all about survival and sports a menacing moustache and is often chewing betel leaf. For Reddy, I put on 10kg.”
Ravi on... Arvind vs Narasimha
“My two characters eventually meet and lock horns. The action duels were not easy. Besides delivering blows, I had to fake reactions at the receiving end.”
Ravi on... Samudrakani and his co-stars
“Kani Anna is warm and friendly. He explained my roles clearly and patiently cleared doubts. Amala fitted into her role smoothly. Her performance will be talked about. Sharing screen space with Sarath Kumar was a pleasure. He plays a CBI officer. The risks he undertook for his stunt scenes left me astonished.”
Ravi on... what’s next
“In Bhoolaham, I am a boxer from North Madras. I underwent training for two months besides gaining 15kg in weight. In the film my opponent is [Australian wrestler and Hollywood actor] Nathan Jones, and while I cannot match his height, I made an effort to build up muscles.”
Ravi on... cinema
“I grew up watching my father [editor and producer Mohan] discuss films and was drawn towards them. My brother Raja entered films as a director and I thought I would follow in his footsteps. I assisted director Suresh Krishna for a while. But then acting became my calling.
Ravi on... Raja my brother
“I admire him for the passion and respect he has towards films. He is a perfectionist. My next film is directed by him. This is Raja’s own script and not a remake like the earlier ones that I starred in. So there are no references and the responsibility lies on me to do complete justice to my role. I am excited.”
