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R. Madhavan, more commonly known as Maddy, is very excited about his role in ‘Evano Oruvan,’ the Tamil remake of Nishikant Kamat’s ‘Dombivli Fast.’ In fact, he thinks it will mark another watershed in his career, like his role as the ruffian Inbasekhar in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Aayidha Ezhuthu.’

Actually, when I was talking to the actor, I was reminded of a line that golf player Roy McAvoy (played by Kevin Costner) says in the movie Tin Cup: “When a defining moment comes along, you define the moment … or the moment defines you.”

Looks like ‘Evano Oruvan’ will be one such moment in Maddy’s career. The film is getting ready for release sometime later this month.

Following is the text of an interview with the actor:

What is ‘Evano Oruvan’ all about?

From our childhood, we are taught about what is right and what is wrong. We are taught about a self-righteous lifestyle — being an honest citizen, doing your work sincerely, paying taxes etc. But once you grow up, you see that what is happening in the world is the exact opposite — people who are not honest, corrupt are successful in life, they have everything. And when a person is proficient, honest, good at his work but not successful enough in life, this can sometimes lead to mental instability. The film shows the mundane lifestyle of a normal, middleclass man, and how he reacts to what is happening around him in the world.

How did the project come about?

I had actually heard about ‘Dombivli Fast;’ some people had told me about the movie. Then one day I got a call from Abbas-Mustan; I was told they wanted to get into production and that they were looking to do a Tamil movie. They said come to Mumbai and see a movie, and then we will talk about it.

They sent me flight tickets; so I told my secretary, “Let’s go see the movie.” When I went to Mumbai, there was this young man standing outside the theatre. He said he was the director of ‘Dombivli Fast.’ I was this big Tamil star, and he was this first time director. I was full of attitude, and I said, “oh! ok.”

Then we go inside, and start watching the movie. Three minutes into it, I lost all bearing, all composure. I caught the director, Nishikant, and told him I wanted to do the movie. I would sign anywhere he wanted, but I wanted to do the movie. I have never been so mesmerised by a film.

Sandeep Kulkarni, who played the lead, was close to God in the movie; I was driven to tears by his performance. I was very unnerved… lost my confidence. It actually called up my wife and told her I did not know how I was going to do the role.

How different was the role from what you have done earlier?

The other roles I have done required me to have a screen presence. They demanded that I look like a hero, that I be perceived as a hero. But in ‘Evano Oruvan,’ I had to look like an ordinary man. I had to blend in with the junior artistes; I had to make sure that I did not stand out in a crowd. So I wore oversized shirts, and changed my body language to look like Sridhar Vasudeven, the ordinary, middle-class bank employee I was playing.

‘Dombivli Fast’ was based in Mumbai. The story was built around Marathi sensibilities. How difficult was it to rework the movie in Tamil?

If you watch the movie, you will realise that is more a Tamil film than one in Marathi; you will wonder how it could possible have been a Marathi film. It shows Chennai’s water lorries, local trains, ‘tea kadai’ (tea shops), police stations, hospitals, ‘parotta kadai’… Actually the film talks about the problems faced in every city with a sizable middle class population.

It talks about the complacence of the people … the ability to adapt yourself to the surroundings with attempting to change your life, your surroundings. For example, the roads in Nanganallur (a Chennai suburb, where the character Sridhar Vasudevan lives) have been the same for 25 years; no one has done anything about them.

Yet there are other cities that are very good. In Mumbai, for example, the awareness among the public is very high. If some official is doing something right, the public backs him. More proactive steps are needed.

You have written the dialogues for ‘Evano Oruvan.’ How was the experience?

This is actually the second time I am writing the dialogues. The first one was ‘Ramji Londonwale’ (the Hindi remake of Tamil film ‘Nala Damayanti’). But ‘Evano Oruvan’ was different. It was very tough, and getting the local flavour right was a challenge.

The movie dwells in reality, and I had to research a lot for this. I am very proud of my attempt, but then I got total, hardcore support from Seeman (director of Tamil films like Thambi, who has also done a role in ‘Evano Oruvan.’)

Which recent movies have left an impression on you?

I think we are not making international films at all. There is a major scarcity of good scripts. Just look at ‘Blood Diamond,’ for example. Look at the research and the work they have put into it. My wife has second thoughts about buying diamonds now. Only a few good scripts like ‘Rang de Basanti’ and ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’ are around. Where are the good scripts?

You are a perennial favourite of Mani Ratnam. And now you seem to be doing all films of Seeman too…

Mani is a maverick. He has very strong likes and dislikes. He might be your family friend, but he will not take you for his movie if he knows that you will not be able to deliver. So I am proud to have done different roles in his movies; ‘Aayitha Ezhuthu’ was the toughest role I did for him. See the point is that you will never be criticised for your role in a Mani film because he will make sure he gets what he wants from you as an actor.

And Seeman is a passionate, hardcore professional, who has total control over his unit. For me, as an actor, it is total luxury working in a Seeman movie because we start shooting after all the arguments/fights are over about the role. So it is very easy for me; I just have to follow his directions and act.

But it seems like you are expanding this list to include Nishikant also…

Yes, I am doing his next film in Hindi. Actually, I am planning to sign a contract with him that specifies that I will act in all his movies.

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