Acting must be in Kalidas Jayaram’s genes since his parents, Jayaram and Parvathy, are both capable actors who have come good in several memorable roles in Malayalam cinema. Kalidas also proved himself to be an actor in his own right as a child artist in Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal and in Ente Veedu Appoontem, for which he won the National award.
Early this year, Abrid Shine’s Poomaram marked his entry as a hero. Now the youngster is busy shooting for Jeethu Joseph’s new film and has projects lined up with Santosh Sivan, Midhun Manuel Thomas and Alphonse Puthren.
There is a certain confidence with which Kalidas faces questions. He is clear about his preferences and there is no beating about the bush. For instance, Kalidas says though he admires the acting style of many senior actors, including that of his father, if he is a fan-boy, that is of Tamil actor Dhanush.
In an interview, Kalidas Jayaram talks about his journey so far and on his plans.
You were pretty popular as a child artiste. Did that help you while making an entry as a hero?
After I did those films as a child artiste, my parents felt that films and acting would affect my studies. And it did affect my studies then. So I decided to focus on academics. But my interest in movies remained intact all along.
The mimicry that I did during a TV award show, an ad for a chocolate brand and the first song from Poomaram helped me become a familiar face among viewers and that gave me a fantastic platform. And here I am.
When did you first know that you wanted to be an actor?
Frankly, I wanted to do nothing other than acting. I had no plan B and I believe, if you keep a backup plan ready, your plan A will be tough to materialise.
Your launch was in Tamil cinema...
It was in Tamil cinema that I first got interesting offers from. I was offered Poomaram while I was working in my Tamil projects.
Your debut in Tamil, Meen Kuzhambum Mann Paanaiyum, was not received well and the next, Oru Pakka Kathai, has been delayed...Is that disappointing?
I felt down, naturally. But then, every actor has to go through such phases at some point of time or the other. I pacified myself with the thought that, perhaps, that phase has come in early in my career.
Your character in Poomaram did not look like the role of a conventional hero. It was one of the many characters in the film. Was that a deliberate decision to play down your entry as a hero and not go in for a flamboyant role?
I didn’t want to make my debut in Malayalam cinema with a super hero kind of a role. It was a conscious decision. In fact, I am not really waiting to do such roles at this point of time. I want to do real characters whom we can relate to. Even I enjoy movies like that. I loved the theme that Poomaram narrated.
You are doing quite a few films in quick succession.
Kalidas in a still from Jeethu Joseph’s new film
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement
Right now I am doing Jeethu Joseph’s film in which I am playing a youth who fools around with his gang of friends. Inadvertently, they get into a situation that changes the game. After that is done, I am doing Santosh Sivan’s new directorial venture. Manju Warrier and Soubin Shahir are there in the lead with me. I will join Midhun Manuel Thomas’ Argentina Fans Kattoorkkadavu from there. It’s a light-hearted entertainer. I am also looking forward to Alphonse Puthren’s Tamil film.
What kind of scripts enthuse you?
I don’t want to stick to any particular genre. I hope to work in realistic movies that are entertaining. I am fascinated by movies like Kammattipaadam and Take Off.
Have you opted out of Aashiq Abu’s Virus?
Yes, I have. That is all I want to talk about it now.
Your favourites among the movies that your parents acted in?
There are so many of their movies that I love. If I have to pick one or two from the list, I would say Keli and Sesham that my father has done. Among my mother’s movies, Vadakkunokkiyanthram and Kireedam are my favourites.