Stardom was stifling: Arvind Swamy

Arvind Swamy started out as a soft-mannered suave hero with a constant need to be liked. The Bombay star has gone through a number of stages — Roja (his debut film) was a romance-laden performance while Thani Oruvan had a clean, cunning and calculative feel to it. Now, with the latest release, Bogan, Swamy has stuck to his villainous ways but has altered his on-screen persona significantly. The debauched, hedonistic and ego-driven Adithya of Bogan is actually cool and collected when off the screen. In this interview to DC, he explores the landscape of his emotional transformations, his feelings on his resurgence as an actor, and the reasons for his long hiatus.
 
Didn’t know how to deal with stardom at 20
When I joined films, I was clueless about the industry and had no aspirations to be an actor. While I enjoyed the process, it was stifling. I was not prepared for it and it got the better of me in a sense. I was 20 when I started. For me, whatever I do, I believe, I must do it seriously and invest a lot of time to understand and learn. But the fact that you will get all the attention, is something you should be prepared with. I didn’t know how to deal with it. Not that I abused, I was just scared. It started affecting me.

It was too much and I quit
In those days, getting scripts that I wanted to do was challenging — it was hard to find things that I actually related to. So, I decided to go down the path of trying to learn and evolve. Even after Bombay, I chose unconventional films like Bharathan’s Malayalam flick. I wanted to learn from these masters. After completing Roja — I went off to study. At 29, I quit films. A lot of things happened. I had personal issues, injured my spine, and felt paralysed for a while. I never thought of coming back. Personally, it was traumatic. I just took life as it came and dealt with it in a positive manner. I never felt depressed or sad. I have to set  an example to my kids! I wanted to show them that I was cheerful even during painful times.
 
Mani brought me back
Mani sir wanted me back. In my version 2.0, I feel I have grown older (laughs) — more experienced with life and a better word is ‘liberated’. I have come to terms with the fact that recognition comes with the territory. Audiences have evolved. They are receptive to new ideas. It is new generation of people. I am able to relate to the stories and I have been given the freedom to exhibit from the characters the way I choose.

Could not shine in other films like in Mani Ratnam’s movie
The scenario is different now. What Mani sir did were landmark national films. Even then, I was on my own. It is just that I was in a great film. He taught me everything. When we work together, I know what he wants, what he intends, etc. He was always welcoming things that were in my mind. Right from my first film, I would irritate him between shots by asking all sorts of questions like ‘why do you do this and that?’. He would take time to explain to me. On the third day of the shoot of Thalapathy, he took time off and told me what the director’s line is, and other details about my characterisation.

Can work only with those who hear me out
By nature, I am very curious. I don’t think it’s fair for anybody to keep your ideas bottled up out of fear. I take a lot of inputs from others. Whether I use them or not is a different issue. I can’t work with someone who doesn’t want to hear me.
 
Awards and honours do matter to me
I take recognition in any form. I respect them. When someone tells me that I have done a good job in a film, it is as big as getting an award.

Negative roles are challenging
No one offered me a negative role earlier. When I did Thani Oruvan, people were apprehensive as to how I would carry the  character of Siddharth Abhimanyu, but I took it up as a challenge and succeeded.
 
Prefer Tamil films to Tollywood
I have been getting good offers from T’town. But for me, since I am not very familiar with the language, I am concentrating more on work in Kollywood.
 
Buzz is Prabhu Deva wants to remake Bogan in Telugu and Hindi
(Smiles) To be part of a film like Bogan is always fun and a pleasure.  It is an interesting character to play. But I am not aware of any remakes at this point of time.

Directing a film is a long-time dream
I have written two scripts and I’m fine tuning them. Both the scripts demand actors who are A-listers. By the end of this year, I am planning to plunge into direction.

Upcoming Ventures  
Sathuranga Vettai 2 by Vinod, is coming up. I play a conman who is not an evil guy. It’s about one big heist. Then I have Vanangamudi with Selvah, which is about a straight forward cop. Also, there is director Siddique’s remake of his Malayalam hit flick Bhaskar The Rascal where I will reprise Mammootty sir’s role in Tamil.