You live in US. How did your entry into Tamil Films happen?

I did my schooling at St. Bedes, Chennai. I took up B.A. in Theater Arts. I studied Theater in London, and then had a two and half years training in acting at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting in Hollywood. Though I did a lot of Elia Kazan and David Manet's plays, my thoughts were on Indian films only. Back home on a vacation in Chennai, I met Muthuraj, a friend of mine and an art director. I had brought my portfolio with me. He recommended my name for a film called Buddha. But it never took off. So I went back to the U.S. Later on my second trip I came to know from Muthuraj that, Pragadish the director of University was looking out for a hero and also that he was impressed with my stills. I got selected but I had one condition, that I wouldn't cut my hair.

Why did you shift from hero to villain?

An actor should shine in all the roles that are offered to him. You don’t have a hard and fast rule that hero should not act in a villainy role. In fact many heroes have done roles with negative shades. For me I want to excel in whatever script that is given to me. I had signed for Kakkha Kakkha even when I was working in University.

Once a villain is always a villain! Weren’t you afraid of typecasting?

(Laughs) No! Not at all! Those days have gone. The present generation directors are a younger lot with fresh minds and thoughts. I am no ordinary villain in Kakkha Kakkha. I had equal footage as that of Surya in the film. Yes, filmmakers call me up for anti roles. I am no hurry to take up whatever that comes. I want a change of image. So I am willing to wait. And now I am offered a hero role in an untitled film. It is under discussion.

How do you feel on the success of Kakkha Kakkha?

When director Gautham offered me this role so many of my friends dissuaded me from accepting this role. But I was adamant. What impressed me was that he had a full script ready and the characters were well etched out. And in my earlier film I refused to cut me hair and here Gautham wanted me to sport the same look. Now it has proved a paying decision. When I watch the film in theatre I get an equal applause as that of Anbuselvan (Surya). It makes me happy. Thanks to director Gautham for the immense faith he had in me.

Are you doing the same role in Hindi too?

Yeah! I have been offered by the producer Feroz Khan to do in Hindi also. But since I had cut my hair Gautham might slightly modify my role. If Gautham is doing the direction, yes, I am also there.

What type of roles you would like to portray?

For me the script is the real hero. I want to get myself convinced with a character. Then I wouldn’t mind doing it. Kamal is the role model for me. He is an actor who handles any kind of role. I like to do the role Kevin Spacey did in American Beauty. I like to do roles those actors like Nana Patekar, Shah Rukh Khan and Manoj Bajpai do. They're not very image conscious.