What is a Ghana born, British and Hollywood actor doing in a Tamil film? We couldn’t help wondering. Meet Danny Sapani, who plays the antagonist in this weekend’s Tamil film Singham 2, starring Surya and directed by Hari. The Shakespearean actor — who appeared in the recent Danny Boyle drama Trance — says he was surprised to be approached for an Indian film but then threw himself at the opportunity. “When I was approached for the role, I was a little nonplussed. I had never heard of Hari or Suriya. I couldn’t understand what a Tamil-speaking film would want with an English-speaking Ghanaian actor,” Sapani told tabloid! “Apparently Hari had seen a couple of my films and decided that I fit the bill. For me it was the spirit of adventure, of exploring movie making in a completely different culture that excited me most. So I jumped at the opportunity.”
What is your character like?
I play Danny, an international smuggler and the most wanted man in the world who has managed to evade authorities by living exclusively at sea.
Danny is a very instinctive character, so it wasn’t hard to get under his skin. My first concern was to assuage my doubts, whether my style and choices would fit in this film. So, I began by watching Singham to understand the genre in more depth. Not being that familiar with Indian cinema, I was blown away by its vibrancy and emotional range despite such broad brush strokes. I concentrated on creating a super villain to match Suriya’s hero; he had to be a man without limits, without a heart, lacking any morality and an African.
How was it working with director Hari and Surya?
Suriya is a very talented and experienced actor. His dedication and generosity made it very easy for me to collaborate with him. Hari is a real powerhouse. He knows what he wants and is good at communicating that to his actors; he knows how to get the best from them. They were both very patient with me which certainly helped. Though I had a translator on set, Hari and Suriya both spoke good English. I picked up a few basic words in Tamil, much to the amusement of the crew.
Looking back on your career, which roles were most challenging?
I loved playing Shakespeare characters, especially Macbeth in Act 5. This role was definitely an inspiration for the characterisation of my character in Singham 2 — an explosive mix of fear, mental derangement and emotional turmoil in a man who has lost everything yet is accustomed to incredible violence on the battle field. When his back is up against the wall he reverts to what he knows best, his exit plan can only result in one outcome. I love playing people living on the edge. I am fascinated by the study of madness and extremes in art and in life.
One role that is close to your heart?
I am often stopped in the street for the part I played in Misfits, a television drama. Tony Morcombe is the probation worker in the first series who undergoes an extreme personality alteration due to a cosmic ice shower. It is a dark comedy.
What about your family?
I have four children. My oldest is 18 and my youngest turned one recently. My partner is an established marketer. They are a constant reminder of what is real and why I do what I do.
