"Cinema is my aeroplane and engineering my
parachute-something to fall back on, and now I want to become a good pilot" says
Ramesh Aravind. This simple, down to earth boy from Basavanagudi interested in giving only
sensible entertainment. He has acted in about 100 movies now.
You have no godfathers to support you in this field, how did you manage?
More than godfathers what you need here is talent. People have lots of respect for talent.
If one doesn't have that despite their background they will be rejected by the audience,
ruthlessly. |
You are called Ramesh Aravind in Tamil moviedom, who gave you the name?
Director Balachander christened it. As my name Ramesh was very ordinary for tinsel town.
Critics say you imitate Kamal Hasan, what do you say?
Kamal Hasan is one actor whom I adore. Initially his impact on me was so deep that without
my knowledge I might have done it. But it was only in the initial stages. Later on I made
a conscious attempt not to do that. I am happy I have done it. Even now if people feel
that way, I have no regrets, as there is no fault in it, as long as it is somebody good
whom I imitate.
What kind of entertainment interests you (comedy or tragedy)?
For me it is sensible entertainment that matters. It should be basically a decent movie
with a message for which children also come with their parents to watch. I feel one should
have respect for people's time. So the audience should leave the theatre without regrets.
There is a talk in the town that other language films attract Kannada audience more. Do
you agree?
That is a wrong understanding of the situation. What people want now is quality. If it is
available in Kannada, definitely they will come. Infact I have heard people waiting for
good movies. For ex. America America ran for 100 days houseful in a theatre where only
Hindi movies could run.
Apart from acting do you have any other hobbies?
Yes, I do read a lot of books and watch movies. I like comedies.
Which movie gave you a real break?
It was Nammora Mandara Hoove. And then America America. These two got me the audience,
which was very different. Those roles also got me the respect that an actor looks for.
The year 1999 has been a very successful for you, isn't it?
Oh, yes. It has been a golden period for me in my career. 9 movies were released and most
of them were hits. I also got the best actor award for my performance in Hoomale, which I
shared with the great actor Vishnuvardhan. I am happy about that. Apart from that the film
for which I wrote the script was adjudged as the best film in Kannada at the national
level and at the state level also. That is Hoomale.
You were unheard of for quite some time in Kannada field after you entry, why?
Although I started my career here, I got lot of opportunities in Tamil. So I had to
continue there for quite sometime. Then I just used to flirt with Kannada industry. Now I
am more serious here because of the respect and opportunities that I have now, I have no
reason to go back.
You are called the so-called Tyagaraja in Kannada, always sacrificing the heroine,
would you like to comment?
Definitely. I have enjoyed all my roles. What is more important is who remains in the mind
in the end. Take for ex. Amrita Varshini, America America, Nammoora Mandara Hoove etc.,
Character roles make a deep impact on the audience mind. That is a hero. I do not agree
with the conventional hero tags and just winning the heroine. I don't mind losing the
heroine, but I mind losing the audience.
Who is your favorite actress?
Sridevi. She is just perfect on screen.
Do you plan to enter politics?
No. As of now I have no such plans. Acting is my field and want to continue here.
What is you agenda in the new millenium?
I have a lot of films already on hand. Naturally I will have to complete them
successfully. In the years to come I am looking forward for new kinds of roles which will
fit into the box-office parameters, at the same time I want to experiment in new roles
without forgoing success in the process.
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