At the press meet of the upcoming film Nirangal Moondru, actor Rahman expressed his happiness over having multiple releases this year, including Anjaamai, Bad Boyz, and 1000 Babies. 

Asked how his mind space is like, given he has seen four decades in the industry, and does he choose to do one film at a time and take his time, or has he got the hunger to push himself to work more, Rahman replies: “I have matured a lot in the last 40 years, and I have learnt while doing each film. My passion is acting and I had come to know of it much later. It wasn’t in my first film. I am more inclined into the art world, but I became more serious only after I got married, because of the responsibilities. Nowadays, after Covid, larger-than-life films are being made, some of which petrify the audience. What I have learned, could be because I had worked with sensible directors at early stages, I gained the knowledge of stories and scripts. Hence, naturally, I am extra conscious about the content.”

Rahman Interview: I take a little more responsibility on the nature of the product

Rahman points out how looking back at this body of work, he can say that he was able to bring a difference and stand apart. “Successes and flops are not on my hands. People might like a few films and others not. Even a successful film which ran for 100 days, might have people who did not like it. For example, however hit Dhruvangal Pathinaaru might be, there are still who did not understand it. You can never satisfy 100%, but as an actor, I take a little more responsibility on the nature of the product,” he adds.

The actor understands that when it comes to entertainment element attached to a film, but also mentions, “Entertainment need not be song-and-dance, or comedy only. When people are intrigued for two plus hours, that is also entertainment. Now, that I have also matured and the next generation is here, I have taken the back step and consciously choose my roles. For example, a love story with me is possible, but not campus-bound. I need age-appropriate love stories, and experiment a lot.”

From Dhruvangal Pathinaaru to Nirangal Moondru

Nirangal Moondru will see the reunion of Rahman and director Karthick Naren after eight years. Asked the rapport he shares with the director; Rahman says that he is almost the age of his daughter. “When he first came with Dhruvangal Pathinaaru, he was 21 or something. With the way they speak, we can understand their maturity level, because most of them who come to me are uneducated. They might speak about the film, but don’t know anything else. But Karthick has got potential.”

Rahman says with Dhruvangal Pathinaaru he got to spend more days with the director since he played the only major role. The actor further says, “He is a good director and we got to spend more time. But as a writer, I appreciate him a lot because there are many things he crafted the film after shooting. In Nirangal Moondru, I had less time with him, but it was a tough character for me. It is another dimension, and all the characters have grey shades. It is outside my comfort zone, and I had a particular scene which I was sceptical.” However, it was Karthick who convinced Rahman and made him look at the role as the character more than the actor. Rahman says that he had Nirangal Moondru’s script since the time of Dhruvangal Pathinaaru's making. “This is an unconventional subject, and no one to produce. It is a risky script, but he eventually found producers.”

Looking back at Sangamam

A conversation with Rahman never ends without the mention of his 1999 film Sangamam. “When I was doing that film, it was a comeback movie for me after a break. I could have made a comeback with more of a masala film with more fights and heroism. But, there yet again, I chose something different. It did not have any punch dialogues to glorify the hero. That is the reason, why people watch my movies, and like me as an actor. I never have upset anyone with my work.”

Acting in today’s times

Nirangal Moondru is a hyperlink film, which also stars Atharvaa and Sarathkumar. “Every actor will and should have some complex. Because you are a creator, you will have some egos and complexities. When hearing a story, the director/writer always glorifies our characters during the narration, so we need to be careful when choosing roles. But on the other hand, there are directors like Karthick who is blunt and straightforward.”

Rahman recalls the time he did Udan Pirappu (1993) with Sathyaraj, which was produced by the latter. “We acted as brothers in the film, and both of us did not hear the story. But director Vasu sir said that Sathyaraj had wanted us both to hear at the same time, otherwise, I might take it wrong. I still remember both of us listening to the script. That is how a relationship starts and till date, Sathyaraj and I have stayed on good terms.”

Asked how Rahman sees acting in a film like Dhruvangal Pathinaaru which he shoulders solely, shares a stage with two others in Nirangal Moondru, and takes charge only in the second half with Anjaamai, he says, “Of course as an actor, I would want my importance because it is not selfishness, but the audience I have garnered and what they expect of me. I am earning bread from this, and I have to safeguard my position. If I just make it to two scenes, I might get called for similar roles and I will have to start from scratch again. If that is selfish, then I guess we have to be.

Concluding this conversation, Rahman feels that audience hasn’t seen enough of him in Tamil, as much as Malayalam audience has. “When Balachander sir had cast me for Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal, he told me that no one had utilized me before starting the narration. I did not understand if he appreciated or scolded me then, but now I feel I have more to show,” he adds.

Referring to his Malayalam film Bad Boyz which showed Rahman in a lighter role, the actor wishes to do comedy. “In Tamil, I want to do something like that. After Dhruvangal Pathinaaru, I got so many cop roles, and I was so fed up. But it’s your work. In Nirangal Moondru, it is different and it’s reality,” he signs off.

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