I have decided to learn Tamil first: Ashutosh Rana

Back in Chennai, after a short hiatus, for his third Tamil film, Motta Siva Ketta Siva, actor Ashutosh Rana feels the city keeps changing each time when he pays a visit. ���I happened to see many flyovers this time ��� I was a little confused when I saw the places that I have been to the last time,��� he opens up with a hearty laugh, and adds, ���The beach and port at Chennai are both a must-visit. I loved its atmosphere while shooting for the climax of Meaghamann.���

A vegetarian by choice, Ashutosh, though not a foodie, says he loves gorging on idli, dosa and medhu vadai when he comes down to Chennai. He quips, ���I���m not a foodie, but I eat with passion.

I don���t miss out on eating idli and dosa, even in Mumbai if I get a chance to. It is good to see these dishes available even in Kashmir, and likewise rajma and rasagulla in Chennai. We are also unified by taste buds.��� Diverting the conversation to what he loves the most ��� films ��� indicating, thereby, that he���s done speaking about the tryst with the city, Ashutosh expresses his happiness on being part of the project Motta Siva Ketta Siva, which has Lawrence playing the lead. Interestingly, he is reprising the role he essayed in its Telugu version, which was released a year ago. Though he ensures maintaining a clear variation between his roles, he says he couldn���t say no to the makers, as their approach towards the character was quite different from its original one. He details, ���we are re���making��� it, and not re���presenting���. The overall making style, too, is different, which is another reason why I gave my nod. In fact, this isn���t the first time I���m repeating my own role. I reprised my character from Lingusamy���s Vettai in its Telugu version. Nevertheless, from my initial days, I have been always conscious not to repeat myself ��� be it in Dushman, Sangarsh, Raaz, or other movies.���

Having played characters with negative shades in Tamil and Telugu, has he ever thought of a makeover or switching over to something which he hasn���t attempted down south? His reply is quick, ���Yes, of course ��� language is the barrier, though. You can pull off a character role or a baddie without having a grip on a particular language. However, it is not the case when it comes to performing comic roles. I have been on the lookout for someone who could manage Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. Unfortunately, I couldn���t get anyone. Anyway, I have decided to learn Tamil first. It was interesting to find Tamil words like samadhanam, karanam, padavi, etc, which are close to Sanskrit and Hindi. I think if I���m here for, say, at least three months, I will be able to understand a good number of Tamil words. The most gratifying part is when the team of my on-going film said that I pick up things up very fast.���

While his contemporaries, who started their career around the same time as he did, boast of a very ���happening filmography���, Ashutosh has been going a tad slow. Quiz him about it, and he says his temperament is the reason for that. ���I���m aware that a few actors who started along with me in the industry have completed more than 50 films in one language alone. But I never bother about numbers; I go by my intuition. The script, my role, director, production house, hero and payment are my criteria while signing a film,��� he smiles, adding, ���The payment, of course, is negotiable.���

Ashutosh says he has always been in awe of south films, and often watches the dubbed versions of Tamil and Telugu movies at home. Films down south, he notes, are very rooted and blessed with brilliant technicians. Baahubali, Eega, Enthiran, Sivaji, Kanchivaram, Dasavatharam������ he recalls his favourite south films in the recent years. Indian cinema, as a whole, according to him, is going through its best phase ever. ���The market has expanded tremendously, and the barriers for actors no longer exist. There is no more north, south, east or west distinction in Indian cinema. Everybody is being accepted these days. Long ago, it was only the heroines who were accepted in different industries, and rarely heroes. Today, those who perform comedy or character roles, or even technicians for that matter, are given a warm welcome,��� he observes.

A proud prot��g�� of National School of Drama, he believes he has to give back his due to theatre. The actor has plans to present Gita on stage. He divulges, ���The conversation between Krishna and Arjun is something which has always fascinated me ��� I���m planning a two-character play of one hour duration, the writing of which is currently underway. Gita, for me, is behavioural science, which offers solution for the myriad problems we encounter on a daily basis. I���m hopeful of presenting it by the end of this year.���

A self-confessed ambitious man, Ashutosh says characters like Chanakya, Ravan, Kamsa and Hitler always excite him, and feels it would be a dream come true for him to portray any of these on screen. He says excitedly, ���These are all intense people with lots of emotions and power in them. It would be a challenge as well as fun to be in their shoes. I enjoy my profession. I'm fortunate to be in the business of emotion.���

A huge fan of Amitabh Bachchan, Dileep Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth���s acting style during his younger days, he admits not knowing much about Rajini then. ���I had enjoyed Andha Kanoon and Geraftaar, and had no idea that he was a Tamil actor. Among the current lot, I admire Salman, Aamir, Ranbir and Hrithik. Shahid did a spectacular job in Haider. Similarly, Vikram was awesome in Anniyan.���

Ashutosh says he maintains a good rapport with the heroes he worked down the south including Arya, Pawan Kalyan and Ravi Teja. The latest to join his friends list is Lawrence. ���He is a good actor, dancer and a sensible person ��� above all, a fantastic human being. I will never forget the kind of warmth I received from him,��� he says. But he was in the news some time ago for criticising those who termed Aamir Khan as anti-national for the latter���s stand on intolerance, wasn't he? Ashutosh, however, is quick to say that he is not politically inclined to any party, and terms himself a ���Pro-Indian���. ���I���m politically aware, but do not support any party as such. I also stood for those who endorsed ���award wapsi���, as I felt it was a humble way of protest. They did not destroy any property, nor did they create any ruckus. I felt their issues have been dealt with in a patient manner. Ours is a country which has always been tolerant. At the end of the day, everybody has their own truth. I feel mutual respect is the need of the hour,��� he signs off.