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Vinay Rai turns action hero

Vinay Rai made his debut in late Jeeva's Tamil film Unnale Unnale. The film was an unprecedented hit. Vinay's second film, Jayam Kondan also hit the marquee's eye. His third film Modhi Vilayadu is being directed none other than Saran who has directed actors like Kamal Haasan and Ajith.

On the eve of the film's release on July 24, Vinay Rai spoke to Shobha Warrier about the film.

Your image is that of a romantic hero, quite different from what you are in Modhi Vilayadu. How did this film come to you?

It was the producers who got in touch with me first, and we discussed many stories. It was then that Saran sir and the script writer, Ramakrishnan sir, who was also the script writer of Unnale Unnale, came up with this idea.

I took it up as a challenge as it was interesting. My opinion is, ultimately, an actor has to entertain people either through action, comedy or romance. I don't want to confine myself to any one particular role.

'I want to try comedy, action, romance and family drama'

Many actors are scared to come out of the image they are in? Were you apprehensive to get out of lover boy and be an action hero?

No. My motive is to try everything. I want to try comedy, action, romance and family drama. I want to keep experimenting with roles. I want to be remembered for at least a few good movies that I am proud of.

Is Modhi Vilayadu a 100% action film?

No. You cannot call it a hardcore action film. It has got a good plot, good story and good characters.

'I don't know what Jeeva sir saw in me'

Saran has directed actors like Kamal Haasan. How was the experience working with him?

Incredible. I am not saying this to flatter him. I am a guy who has absolutely no training in acting. My university was the late Jeeva sir. I don't know what Jeeva sir saw in me when he picked me up to act in Unnale Unnale. All the education on cinema was done there on the sets of Unnale Unnale. I was also taught to be a disciplined student, and a true professional. I was lucky to be trained by him.

And about Saran sir, the amount of experience he has in directing some of the real gifted artistes in the country, is amazing. It was once again a learning experience for me. I have enjoyed every bit of acting in Modhi Vilayadu under Saran sir.

Do you look at working in each film as a learning experience?

Not every film, every day in acting in a film is a learning experience for me. I am trying to learn everything about films. Filmmaking is such a beautiful art.

For the first time, I am dubbing on my own in this film. It was the first time that I went into a dubbing studio. That also was a learning experience for me.

'My confidence level in Tamil is high now'

Last time when we spoke after Jayam Kondan, you said you were not confident about dubbing in Tamil. Has your knowledge of Tamil improved?

Yes, a lot. My confidence level in Tamil is also high now. When I did Unnale Unnale, I needed prompting all the time. But while shooting for Jayam Kondan, I was told there would not be any prompting at all. When you are pushed to a wall, you will take up the responsibility. I even suggested about dubbing to Kannan -- the director of Jayam Kondan -- but he was not confident about my accent.

In Modhi Vilayadu, there was no prompting, so I memorised my dialogues. Then, I suggested to Saran sir about the idea of me dubbing. He stood by me and I dubbed for the entire film. There is nothing that one can achieve if one puts one's heart and soul to it.

If I could dub in Tamil for Modhi Vilayadu, the credit goes to all the Tamilians I spoke to. I had decided that the moment I landed in Chennai, I spoke only in Tamil and the result was there in the film.

'Visually Modhi Vilayadu will be a treat'

Can you tell us about your character in Modhi Vilayadu?

I play Uday, an urban guy. I do not want to elaborate more on the character. I would say Uday is totally different from the two characters I have portrayed earlier.

In the last one year, we shot in Malaysia, Thailand, Dubai, and Chennai. Visually the film will be a treat. And there is good entertainment value also.

What is next?

It's Noottuku Noor for K Balachander's Kavithalaya. It is the remake of the old Noottukku Noor that had Jayashankar in the lead. But we have made it contemporary.

'I am indebted to the Tamil film industry'

Would you be acting only in Tamil films?

I am open to all languages. In fact, I will act in a Telugu film soon. But I am indebted to the Tamil film industry as this is the industry that made me who I am today.

Last time before the release of Jayam Kondan, you said you missed Jeeva a lot. Do you feel the same now that Modhi Vilayadu is going to be released this friday?

I still miss Jeeva sir. Not a single day passes without me missing him. I wish he was still around.