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He had two good films in 2023, FIR and Gatta Kusthi, which he also produced. Now, Vishnu Vishal will be seen in director Aishwarya Rajinikanth’s upcoming film Lal Salaam. The Ratsasan star feels that his career graph is rising and he is candid about what he is looking for in the future. With Lal Salaam releasing on February 9, Vishnu Vishal is as excited as the audience and believes this story deserves to be told. In a candid chat with Hindustan Times, he talks about the film, his career, the controversy with Soori and more. (Also Read: Aishwarya Rajinikanth Interview: ‘Working with Appa in Lal Salaam was a masterclass’)
Did you sign Lal Salaam as soon as you heard that superstar Rajinikanth was there?
You’ve seen the kind of movies I’ve been working on. Do you think he would have signed without hearing the script? (Smiles) Aishwarya Rajinikanth approached me for the film and I heard his brief, but I took my time to decide. Then I asked him to narrate the entire script and he was very sweet: he gave me a five-hour narration. So I said yes. When Rajini sir said yes to Lal Salaam, I knew there must be a compelling reason for him and I wanted to find out that very reason, so I asked him for a full narration. Now, people may think I’m being selfish or arrogant by asking a director for a complete narrative before I decide to make a film. The truth is that I want to work in good cinema and sign winning scripts, which is why I have worked with so many new directors in my career. I ask a lot of questions about the story, the characters, etc., and not all directors will agree with that.
Have you missed great movies because of this?
Well, I don’t want to play character roles. I want to be the hero, and that’s what I’ve been working hard for all these years. Why do I listen to extensive script narrations and even produce my own films? I have it clear. I have been contacted for films with big stars to play some characters such as the second lead, the brother, etc. I have said no. Do you know that only 28% of my films have not achieved good results? 72% of my films have done well at the box office. This is no small achievement and I want to make sure this percentage improves: the audience should like the film and everyone involved, like the producer, the distributor and myself, should also make money. Business is also central to the film. 80% of the films made do not obtain good results at the box office. I don’t want to work or make just any movie: I want to make and act in a good movie!
Apparently, you said that Lal Salaam is not a turning point in your career.
That has been misunderstood. First of all, I never imagined that I would get the opportunity to work with Rajini sir, and this is a dream come true for a passionate fan like me. Secondly, I said that I am working hard on every film, and every film I work on takes me towards the goal of being a better actor and a greater achiever. In Gatta Kusthi, for example, I was the hero of the film and everything I did in that film (acting, dancing, fighting and even producing it) contributed to the success of that film. The success of Gatta Kusthi was my success. In Lal Salaam, I am not the hero of the film: superstar Rajinikanth is key and I play a character essential to the story. And I must add that the expectations of Rajini sir’s fans have been fulfilled in this film. Lal Salaam will also make Aishwarya Rajinikanth a director to watch out for – she has made a good film. I was very happy when I saw it.
What was it like working with director Aishwarya Rajinikanth?
I didn’t know her much before signing on for the film. My impression then was that she was reserved and could be stubborn and not listen to my comments or ideas. But this was not true and my opinion of her completely changed while working on the film. She is very sweet but she also knows what she wants from her actors and she is willing to collaborate. Now we have become good friends.
You and your co-star Vikranth play cricket together.
Yes, we have been playing cricket together (Celebrity Cricket League) for a while now and we are friends, but this is the first time we have worked together on a film. Vikranth has done an excellent job in Lal Salaam and I am very happy for him. He has many scenes with Rajini sir and it is easy to forget your lines or get distracted when working with Superstar, but he has done well.
The most important thing you learned from Superstar
Dedication. That’s something that amazed me. Rajini sir was very involved in the scenes and kept thinking about how to improve them. And he would never leave the sets unless the work was complete. He will never say: it’s late, let’s do it tomorrow. He will stay behind no matter how late it is, he will complete the job and leave. That was really amazing.
You and Soori had a problem but it seems like you both fixed it.
If we have. I told him we could continue to disagree and drag this out or make up and move on. We both met and talked and then realized that the whole thing had been instigated by a third person. I am grateful to a mutual friend who told us to meet and resolve the matter. Things become clearer only when people talk to each other directly instead of through others. We are friends again and I am glad this has been resolved.
Do you think people in the film industry can be friends?
Trust is the most important aspect of any relationship and this entire industry also runs on trust. I think everyone in the industry is selfish; For example, if a producer hires an actor, it is because of the actor market and only after that the actor and the producer become friends or know each other. So, there is always a reason behind everything. But we need to trust each other to work together, and that’s important. I would have made 5% friends in the industry, and true friendship in that area would probably be 1%.
Thalapathy Vijay has joined politics. What about you?
No never! I have seen my friend, Udhayanidhi Stalin, and had the privilege of watching Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin (Udhayanidhi’s father) work. They are completely dedicated to public life and I think that is commendable and also very hard. Furthermore, I have no knowledge of politics and since I have no knowledge of the subject I do not want to get involved in it.
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