Article about VIJAY.-The Hindu

This is star power. Why else would hordes of fans brave the blazing sun for hours on end, just to get a glimpse of the star? Needless to say, the crowd goes delirious as he greets them; their mobiles click non-stop as he comes over to pose for photographs. Such is the star power of Tamil actor Vijay, who was shooting for director Siddique's �Kaavalan' at Varikkassery Mana in Ottappalam, Palakkad.

Overwhelmed by the adulation, Vijay says: �I should thank God for this. I am really touched by the affection of my Malayali fans.� His �Kaavalan' is the remake of Siddique's Malayalam film �Bodyguard.'

Action comedy

�The storyline hasn't been changed and I believe the inherent innocence of the hero is one of the key aspects in the film as well. Some changes have been done, though, keeping in mind the Tamil audience. The story moves ahead as an action comedy rather than a dialogue-oriented comedy. I have watched the original and Dileep has done a wonderful job in it. Here, I am just following what the director tells me to do,� he says.

Siddique and Vijay had worked together in �Friends.' In �Kaavalan' Asin plays his heroine. �I have worked with her in films such as �Sivakasi' and �Pokkiri'; she is a dedicated actor,� says Vijay. Mithra Kurian, Krishna Kumar and �Guinness' Pakru from the Malayalam film industry are also part of �Kaavalan,' along with Tamil actors Raj Kiran, Vadivelu and Roja.

The actor, who seems to reserve all the livewire actions and dialogues for the screen, admits that that he is an introvert. �In my mind, though, I am an extrovert � the kind that you see in my films. I do observe people and that helps me a lot as an actor,� says the actor.

He says he believes that the purpose of films is to entertain and as such he prefers formula films. �I look for roles that suit me. My concept of a film is that it should be able to connect with the audience perfectly,� says the self-confessed movie buff.

What kind of films does he prefer to watch, then? �I am in awe of films such as �Moondram Pirai' and �Mahanadi.' However, I would opt to see a masala movie like �Annamalai,' if it happened to release with the other films. That perhaps explains my choice of films,� he says with a laugh.

Vijay adds that he also has great regard for Malayalam films and if there was one where he would have liked to play the lead, it would be �Kireedam.'

Vijay's son Sanjay was seen in a song sequence in �Vettaikkaran' and was set to be part of �Kaavalan' as well. Explains Vijay: �He is concentrating on his studies now. Other than that, his focus is on cricket. If he wants to pursue a career in films, he is free to do it after he grows up.�

The interview concludes and as he begins to walk back to the set, he doesn't forget to wave to his fans. That's a star.