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Giving his best: Bharath

Giving details about ‘Pazhani,’ Bharath adds, “It’s an out-and-out Perarasu film. Flamboyant, it has all the ingredients that make commercial cinema. There are some logic-defying sequences too, but the film is thoroughly enjoyable. It’s ‘commercial panchamritham’, as the director calls it. I knew I was getting too serious on screen. I was waiting for a fun film with the right mix of action, comedy and sentiment. ‘Pazhani’ is the answer.”

Getting voluble, the star continues, “I’ve played comic interludes before, but it has always been with a funny guy. This is the first time I’ve tried comedy all by myself. And I realised it’s not easy. Comedy is a lot more serious work!” The actor, who has donned a range of roles since he first waltzed his way into showbiz with ‘Boys,’ says candidly, “I’m not in a position to pick and choose films. But I try to give as much as possible to the roles that come my way. Even clichés can be presented with unusual flourishes. I make a conscious effort to try something different every time.”

That explains why Bharath dons three divergent roles in his forthcoming release ‘Nepali.’ “I think an actor has to keep reinventing himself. And that involves experimenting with looks as well. I had to gain eight kilos and grow my hair because the characters demand such looks. The difference that I bring to the three roles doesn’t stop with appearance. Each is varied in terms of acting style as well. Even the format of ‘Nepali’ is different; it portrays three stories in a single film,” says the actor, who has won effusive praise for his work in ‘Chellamae,’ ‘Kaadhal,’ ‘Pattiyal,’ ‘Em Magan’ and ‘Veyil.’

Talk about Madurai and its vicinity, the favourite backdrop for a number of his films, and the actor smiles, “It was sheer coincidence that films set in Madurai worked well for me at the box-office.”

Besides the much-hyped ‘Nepali,’ Bharath looks forward to the release of ‘Muniandi Vilangial Moonramandu,’ ‘Khiladi’ and director Hari’s next film this year. “These films offer good variety and I’ve a lot to explore in terms of histrionics.”

Just five years into showbiz, and Bharath seems to know it all.

Switching to quasi-philosophical mode, he says, “God has been kind to me. I’m happy that my progress has been steady, if not meteoric. When I made my debut, I was one among the five ‘Boys.’ Today, I play the protagonist. Director Shankar always says, ‘Whatever you do, give it your best. The rest is not in your control.’ Life in cinema is a mixed bag. It does feel bad when a film fails. But I’ve learnt to take every day as it comes.”

Known to be a workaholic, this DAV and New College student who ditched academics to join films, says, “Films happened by chance. But now, I have no regrets. I can’t imagine my life without films. It’s a frenetic life out there. Sometimes, you have to work 24x7. But I love it. I do hang out with friends whenever I find the time. There’s nothing quite like light-hearted banter after a hectic schedule of shooting.”

Hmmm. Men will always be BOYS!

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