New Delhi: Superstar Dhanush wears his stardom lightly. The National Award Winning actor, who is a huge star in the Tamil film industry, has already made quite an impact in Bollywood with his first film 'Raanjhanaa' and states that he is thankful to director Anand L Rai for giving him a break in Bollywood.
The actor in an interview to IBNLive spoke about his latest film 'Shamitabh' and how Bollywood lets him to take up challenging roles which is not always possible down south. "I have certain kind of image down south. Of course I mix up with characters there also, but not every film that I do has something different to offer," explains the star and adds, "Here (Bollywood) I don't have any image and 'Shamitabh' is only my second film. The audience doesn't expect to see me in a specific way. It gives me a lot of liberty to experiment with my roles, not with the kind of films I do, but surely with the characters I play."
A superstar in Tamil cinema, Dhanush also finds reports of unprofessional behaviour in Bollywood absolutely baseless. "I find no difference actually. I have heard this many a times, but I honestly don't feel Hindi film industry chaotic. It is quite streamlined."
The actor's second film in Bollywood, 'Shamitabh' features him with Amitabh Bachchan and Akshara Haasan. While he is all praises for newcomer Akshara and calls her a 'confident actress', Dhanush calls Amitabh Bachchan 'generous'. Dhanush's character in the film doesn't speak and Amitabh Bachcahn's character lends his voice to him. Was it difficult to essay such a role, we ask. "It was challenging to act without speaking. See, I might say something which may take time but Amitji would say it quickly and vice-versa. Our acting methods are very different. But Amitji was generous enough to read over portion to suit my facial expressions which is really kind of him to do so," said the actor.
While most think that Dhanush's smash hit 'Kolaveri Di' fetched him his first Bollywood project 'Raanjhanaa', the actor reveals it was his National Award winning role in the film 'Aadukalam' that caught Rai's attention. " He had 'Raanjhanaa's' script with him for a long time and when he saw a few clips of 'Aadukalam' he decided he wanted someone like me but somehow couldn't reach me. When 'Kolaveri Di' happened, it became easy for him to approach me. So that film got me my first 'Bollywood' project actually not 'Kolaveri Di'."
Being a actor, producer, singer, Dhanush admits that he enjoys acting the most because it is the 'easiest'. "Direction is something I am passionate about," he adds. So when do we see a film directed by him? "I need to learn more and be patient and when the time is right I will direct a film. It could be two or three years down the line or maybe next week, I don't know," smile the actor who calls himself an introvert and a bookworm.
So what makes him sign a film? "Script has to be great. Language does not matter for me. If it is a great script and I am convinced about it I will do it," says the actor confidently.
While he is grateful for the reception he has got in Bollywood with his first film itself, Dhanush does mention that promotional activities prior to a film's release is far more in north than in south. "I am still getting used to it. Here I have to give some 523 interviews but down south 5 interviews prior to the film's release is enough." But he quick to defend and say, "Bollywood needs aggressive promotion because it has to reach out to more number of people as compared to Tamil cinema. Plus there is competition from other films, TV serials, so audience needs to be convinced about a film to that extent to make them step out of their houses to watch a film."
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