‘I like new directors better than old ones’-Jai

JAI, the fastest rising young actor in Kollywood these days is riding on the waves of success with Subramaniyapuram.

Already onto his next project Rakhozhi, directed by Oram Po fame Pushkar and Gayathri, the lad is one surefooted youngster in Kollywood.

And by the looks of it, he aint afraid of speaking his mind. “I like new directors better than old ones” he declares, not afraid of offending the old guard in any way. And he goes on to explain why.

The old giveth way to the new

It’s no surprise why he prefers the new for the old really. After all its new directors who have given him his heady taste of success so early in his career.

Jai tells us his funda, “New directors have fresh ideas, creativity and the zest to work and give their best. This is because being new, they have to prove themselves in their debut project so they give it all they’ve got.”

He adds, “Old and established directors will look for big stars and will get their dates too. But it’s the new directors who cannot get the stars and need other actors to do their projects. So, if I suit the role they have in mind, I am ready to work with them.”

Jai is determined to work with all the assistant directors he can, depending of course on whether the script is inspiring. “I want to work with all assistant directors who have good ideas,” he declares.

His next is Moser Baer’s Aval Peru Tamilarasi directed by Mira Kadiaravan and Adhe Neram Adhe Idam directed by Prabhu.

Image change

He is excited about his next venture Rakhozhi too. “I wanted to do a city flick and Pushkar and Gayathri had just the right script with a role I had in mind.

The film is completely about the night life in Chennai. It’s a romantic action flick and I play a city youth of about 24, while Lekha is a homely student type in the film.

We start shooting in September and I am looking forward to this image change, in a get up viewers have never seen me in before.”

Thala, the friend and guide

The biggest moment in Jai’s life was when Thala Ajit called him up and congratulated him on the day Subramaniyapuram released.

He spills the beans excitedly, “I am a big fan of Vijay and Thala Ajit. But I still cannot believe that I actually got a call from Ajit sir when my film released.

He told me he liked my body language and acting in the film. He actually said that if I needed any advice I should call him up.” But the hesitant Jai did not do so.

Surprisingly enough, he got a call from Ajit ten days later! “Ajit sir actually called back and asked me why I didn’t call him up! His sincerity was amazing. Today we have become very friendly,” says Jai.

Jai goes on to add, “Ajit sir messages me regularly and wishes me on all festivals and special occasions. He likes me very much and I am so very happy because of this.

I know so many heroes but I have never met anyone like him. Now I want to be like Ajit sir. He is a perfect example of a good-hearted and good-charactered person. He is my iddol and mentor,” concludes Jai. ....

Actor Jai whose voice and looks so similar to Vijay

IT’S not easy to gain a foothold in filmdom even if you look like the superstar of your generation. Actor Jai, whose name, voice and looks are so similar to Vijay’s, will vouch for that.

His looks may well have been his trump card for an entry into Kollywood as, understandably, Vijay’s brother in Bhagavathy, but success hasn’t come easy for him. After a noticeable role in Chennai 600028, and a stunner in Subramaniapuram, this 23-year-old is finally a name to reckon with.

And success rests so easily on his young shoulders, despite his movie being among the biggest hits of the year so far. “All credit to the director. The first take being okayed was how I wanted to work, but a lot of scenes took as many as nine takes. So what you see is only what director Sasikumar wanted me to do,” he says. And that, he excitedly continues, has won him the appreciation of the biggest heroes, including Vijay, Ajith, Simbhu and Vishal.

“The most unforgettable of them all was director Bala giving me a big hug and saying I’d acted with the maturity that comes after 50 movies,” he exclaims.

“Subramaniyapuram has been one big success, bigger than I expected it would be. And it seems to have made me a lot more worth monetarily in the industry,” he adds. The actor is currently doing Adhey Neram Adhey Idam, a love story with a twist. In the movie, he pairs with Vijayalakshmi of Chennai 600028 fame, while Premiji Amaren is the music director.

“It has a big surprise element in its treatment, and letting it out will spoil your experience,” he explains. The movie is directed by Prabhu, an assistant to director SJ Suryah. And following that will be yet another interesting movie, Aval Peyar Tamilarasi, along with Navya Nair, a very interesting script that he is excited about.

And then, there’ll be another experimental movie about Chennai’s growing nightlife, to be directed by the Gayathri- Puskar duo, who had earlier directed Oram Po.

Somehow, the desire to do a commercial movie seems to have eluded the actor. Speaking about it, Jai says, “I am not interested in run-of-the mill commercial cinema. It needs a good screenplay. There’s no point in doing the usual stuff always,” he explains with conviction.

With a pause, he then quickly adds “If a good commercial script like Ghilli comes my way, I’ll definitely do it.” Spoken like a true Vijay fan. ....