Rolling along on a low key

Aadhi, whose latest project was Maragadha Naanayam in Tamil, doesn’t like to compare himself with actors. He started his career with Mirugam in 2007, and he’s happy with his choice of films regardless of how they fared at the box office. “I’m content about the work I’ve done. I’m proud of the films I’ve done, including Eeram (2009),” he says. “When I did Mirugam, I didn’t even realise acting was my calling. I’m not here to be a star, I simply want to do good roles.”

He’s delighted at the success of his last film, Maragadha Naanayam. “When I read the script, I felt I was reading a comic book,” he laughs. “It’s excellently written and well-structured. Many actors rejected the script, but I’m glad I did it.”

Aadhi believes he’s evolved as an actor. “With every film, I grow. I’m better informed about the nuances of acting than when I started out. Audiences come to theatres only to be entertained. That’s the secret to being relevant for a long time.” About actor Kamal Haasan, Aadhi says he’s stayed relevant by constantly projecting himself in new light.

Though Aadhi is busy with Telugu projects—including Rangasthalam and a film by screenwriter Trivikram Srinivas that stars Pawan Kalyan)—his focus remains on Tamil cinema. “I was born and brought up in Chennai after all,” he smiles.

“I don’t take success or failure seriously. I don’t even consider myself to be a good actor. I watch world cinema, and I see the performances of the real actors in such films. I am nowhere close to them.”
He’s open to playing negative roles, such as the one he played in the Telugu film Sarrainodu. “I shouldn’t be your average villain.

I play a villain in Trivikram’s next, but he’s a nuanced character. He believes in the power of mind, not the heart. He’s an ideology-driven person,” says Aadhi, who’s had his share of failures too. “You have to be prepared that you’ll be part of films that will fail. You can’t always expect success. My failures helped me understand what I am capable of doing.” His upcoming films include Sukumar’s Rangasthalam 1985.