Jeyam Ravi:The same old Ravi

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Finally the verdict is out. M Kumaran s/o Mahalakshmi is termed a winner. Ravi�s first film ` Jeyam� was a super hit and this led to formation of Jeyam films and Ravi became Jeyam Ravi. With his second film also a hit , Ravi is on to his third film which is again a remake of the Telugu film `Varsham�. Flush with success of the second film , Ravi speaks about his career.

M Kumaran is termed a hit. What do you think were the reasons for the public acceptance?

After Jeyam I think my brother Raja and my father Editor Mohan heard about sixty stories. None were good enough. We then saw this Telugu film which all of us liked. Many films about mother-son , father-son bonding has come but rarely has anybody come out with a story that has action- sentiment in the right mix. The first half is action-love while the second half is sentiment. This has clicked with all kinds of audience.

Why should you go for remakes?

When you say remake it is not a frame to frame remake. We take the knot of the subject and then rework on it for Tamil nativity. Then it becomes a different film altogether. When the film has already clicked in one language then all you have to do is treat it differently for Tamil audience. My father has bought rights of flop films in Tamil and Malayalam and reworked on it and made it a hit in Andhra.

Is working with the same director and producer a plus for you?

Forget the aspect that the producer is my father and the director is my brother. Take them as individuals. A producer who is very clear about his goal and a director who is very clever. Today every hero is looking for such a producer and director. So are they not my plus points?

What is difference between Jeyam Ravi and M Kumaran Ravi?

Laughs) Jeyam Ravi was 70 kilos and M Kunaran Ravi is 74 kilos. Three hours of practice every day with kickboxing coach and a nutrition diet gave me four kilos. Apart from this I am the same old Ravi. No change in me.

Your future film?

Varsham the Telugu film is being remade. My brother is to direct it. I have offers from big banners but I am going slowly. My father decides on the subject.

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