‘I’m not passionate about whatever I am doing’: Vijay Antony

...but he is still determined to do his best. Pichaikkaran 2 actor shares what drives him to achieve his goals during a recent visit to the Khaleej Times office

Some stars are born by chance. Some are made by circumstances. And a fewer still set out and blaze a trail they have traced on their own. With no props or support, except their will to win, they soldier on and reach milestones. It is a unique story of self-evolution and success that actor, musician, lyricist, producer, director Vijay Antony reveals in an interview with CT ahead of the release of blockbuster movie, Pichaikkaran 2. For someone who stumbled into the film world only because he didn’t have other career choices, it has been an incredible journey from being a sound engineer to a man who has his creative fingerprint all over his latest release, which is also his first outing as a director.

Vijay Antony, during his recent visit to the Khaleej Times office, spoke at length about his instant love for Dubai, the life philosophy that drives him and why Pichaikkaran 2 is an unmissable movie for all Tamil film lovers.

How do you like Dubai? Is this your first visit?

This is my first visit, and I am in love with this place. I understand, as a filmmaker, I may be eligible for the golden visa. I would then like to settle here.

You have an amazing set of credentials — a sound engineer, music director, singer, lyricist, actor, producer and, now, director. How did so many things come together?

To be very honest, I am only average in all these areas. I don’t know much about music, but I created music because I realised some genres didn’t need me to learn the grammar. I became an actor because my music needed a noteworthy face on screen to become popular. I became a director because I couldn’t sign up with the director I wanted to do my film with. Necessity made me do new things and progress in life, and I learnt each of those things from experience and through experimentation.

What keeps you motivated to do so many things simultaneously? Is it passion?

You will be disappointed to hear that I am not passionate about whatever I am doing. I am just committed and determined to do the best I can in whatever I set out to do. I want to make movies that will entertain people and I am doing it now. What keeps me going is my work ethic.

Your movie Pichaikkaran was a huge success and received critical acclaim too. There were several elements to it that the audience loved. What can we expect in Pichaikkaran 2?

Whatever elements the audience loved in Pichaikkaran will be there in Pichaikkaran 2 too. The theme is different, the canvas is much bigger but all the ingredients that made it a mass entertainer will be served in the new movie too.

Is Pichaikkaran 2 a follow-up to the first part?

No, it is not. The first story couldn’t have been taken forward. It concluded there. Pichaikkaran 2 is an entirely new story with a social premise. The motives that fuelled the hero’s actions in the first movie was a personal one — saving his mother’s life. In Pichaikkaran 2, his intentions are driven by the greater good of people. It is socially relevant.

What one reason will you give the audience to watch Pichaikkaran 2?

Not one, many. All the reasons that make one go to the movie hall are there in the film. Entertainment, good music, good story, action, drama. Everything that a blockbuster can possibly offer.

What are your future plans?

I don’t plan anything. When you plan, you strictly go by it. When you don’t, you can choose to do anything that comes your way.