Q: After doing serious films like 'Taj Mahal', 'Kadal Pookal' and 'Samuthiram' you went on to do 'Alli Arjuna' - a totally comedy based film. And as any artiste would say comedy is much more difficult than other roles. Were you apprehensive about that when you signed up for 'Alli Arjuna'?Did the comedy scenes that you played in 'Alli Arjuna' help you in your performance in 'Varusham Ellam Vasantham'?
Manoj: Acutally after 'Taj Mahal', 'Kadal Pookal' and 'Samuthiram' I really felt a little different doing 'Alli Arjuna' because the character in a way had a negative shade to it though on the whole it is a comical role. I knew I was doing something different in this film. We started 'Alli Arjuna' after 'Tajmahal' so technically my second movie is 'Alli Arjuna'. While we were half way through 'Alli Arjuna' the shooting for the films 'Kadal Pookal' and 'Samuthiram' started. Eventually these two movies got finished and released even before 'Alli Arjuna', first it was 'Samuthiram' and then 'Kadal Pookal' followed and then finally it was 'Alli Arjuna'. But it was a different experience since I liked the script that I had opted for. 'Varusham Ellam Vasantham' was totally different from 'Alli Arjuna'. The character that I did in 'Alli Arjuna' was a negative kind of a role. It was the exact opposite of what I did in 'Varusham Ellam Vasantham'. My role in 'Varusham Ellam Vasantham' was a positive character, a sacrificing- soul kind who wasn't educated and basically very innocent. It was a very different character and challenging for me. I really fell in love with that character so I enjoyed doing it.

Q: You had played the role of an innocent guy who has a don't-care-what-you-say kind of an attitude in your recent film 'Varusham Ellam Vasantham' with a very lively touch. It was so convincing that at the end of the film most of the audience's heart would go out for you. But then it was yet another version of a rebellious youth like the one you did in 'Alli Arjuna'. The only difference being one of them was an innocent rustic dude and the other was a Smart Alec city bred guy. Didn't you feel a little redundant while you were doing the film?
Manoj: No, I never felt that way because as far as I am concerned after I finish doing a film I forget my character immediately. So once the movie comes out on the screen I forget about the character I played in the movie, I detach myself from it. I adapt myself to do a film and for the character I am going to work. So when I heard about the script of 'Varusham Ellam Vasantham' I adapted myself to the script. When I listen to the script, I don't listen to the script as Manoj, I listen to the script as a director and go visual. I see Manoj onscreen as the character and I also see the other characters onscreen along with it. So it will help me work out better on my character.

Q: The film 'Varusham Ellam Vasantham' had a pretty offbeat ending. Were you okay with it?
Manoj: I was really moved towards the end because in the second schedule for the movie when I read the dialogues for the climax scene I was pretty much moved to tears. To be frank I did not use glycerine for any of those sentimental scenes in the movie. I was able to cry without glycerine because I was so much involved and attached to the character. I almost fell in love with that particular character so I was really comfortable with the climax too.

Q: As an artiste which genre do you think you take more with ease romance, heavy sentimental emotions or comedy?
Manoj: I can take everything, I am capable of romance, sentimental roles and raw comedy because I am here to do whatever the director wants me to do. So if a part comes along where I have to do everything I will have to do it.

Q: Among the roles you have played so far with which do you cherish the most? Which film would it be?
Manoj: It would be "Varusham Ellam Vasantham". The movie has given me a good recognition in the industry. It has reached the B & C sectors much more than the A sector. Even when I go to a village today, they recognize me through that film. I have received alot of fan mails and letters from my fans and others too appreciating my performance in this movie. Almost everybody who has seen the movie and enjoyed it has told me "hey, you've done a good job". That is really satisfying and encouraging.

Q: Your Dad Mr.Bharathiraja is a legend who marked a totally different trend of film making and films. Did you ever feel the pressure on you or fear that you wouldn't be able to get out of your Dad's shadow?
Manoj: No, it is not really that, his conception is different, his track is different, and his journey different and I am totally on a different path. I am an actor and whereas he is a director. But when it comes to direction may be I might have some difficulties because he has already done so much for the industry and still continues to do so. But basically his shadow does not block me in any way and right now I feel I am out of his shadow. To be very frank I have come out of his shadow and done two films without his support. Still whatever it is, I would love to be under his shadow. For my own moral support, out of love and affection for my family, as a director and a son of Bharathiraja I would always love to be under him and not over him at any point.

Q: Is direction on the cards somewhere along the line? If 'yes' do you feel you will be subjected to constant comparison with your Dad's work and be a victim of over-expectations?
Manoj: Yes, I will definitely direct one day. I will never try to direct like 'Bharathiraja', my Dad. I have got my own track and way of expressing my feelings through films. Naturally my first film would be a city subject. It wouldn't be a village-based subject. But at one point might be you can see my direction style overlapping in my future film with that of my Dad during those romantic love scenes because he has already done so many films about love and stuff like that. Yes, there might be a clash of scenes here and there, but then still I have my own style and track

Q: Do you find it easier to work in your Dad's film or other directors' films?
Manoj: I find it easier to work with my Dad and as well as other directors because almost everything is the same, what varies is the directing pattern. You do the movie and the character you are given so there is nothing uneasy or bad to feel about. I am very comfortable working with Bharathiraja, K.S.Ravikumar, Charan and Ravi Shankar. I am very comfortable working with the new director of the upcoming film 'Pallavan'. It is a beautiful teamwork. It is a new company. So it doesn't matter who the director is, what matters to me the most is my role and the script of the movie. I know I am very flexible. I will be comfortable with anybody and I can confidently say that the directors would be even more comfortable working with me, I can tell you that.

Q: For how long do you intend to keep the lucky girl destined for you in waiting? Is there any special person that you would like to tell us?
Manoj: Yes, there is someone very special in my life, but I think its not yet just the time for me to mention who the person is, I will definitely tell the whole world when time comes. I cannot assure you a specific a time, date and place as to when I will get married, it's kind of a suspense right now, you will definitely know it when it hits the limelight.

Q: What are the other films in the pipeline?
Manoj: Right down along the line I am doing 'Pallavan', 'M.A. Gold Medal' and two more new projects that have come up, but I have not signed them up yet. The script is really good. There are a lot of offers coming my way but I just waiting for my Dad to come back from his shoot. He is the deciding authority right now. I leave the choice of my films to my Dad because he knows what is best for his son. He has been in this industry for almost 26 years so he knows the industry in and out. Two or three years from now may be I can confidently select my own films and then the decision will be mine. So that's just it!