Actor Ravichandran who rose to fame among television audience through his stint in widely watched “Pandiyan Stores” serial of Vijay Television, in his recent interview with Vikatan Magazine, has shared about the humiliation he faced at the sets of “Varisu”, upcoming fil of Thalapathy Vijay. The actor, while sharing about the incident, had said that he wanted to tell actor Vijay about it but was stopped by the crew members of the film.

After acting as a junior artist in many films, Ravichandran who was a reputed businessman once, became familiar after joining Vijay Television. Known for the father role he plays in “Pandiyan Stores” serial, Ravichandran acted in other serials of Vijay TV including “Saravanan Meenatchi”. He was running a “Masala” company at Kumbakonam district once and faced a huge loss at his business which resulted in himself landing in acting career.

Initially, Ravichandran was acting in advertisements and got links to do serials and films. “Once my Masala company acted as a title sponsor for some of the programs of Vijay TV and now I am acting in their serials. I lost everything and came to Chennai only through the money I bought from my friend as debt. I roamed without job for few months here. My friend gave me money monthly for my food expense” Ravichandran said.

Ravichandran said that he started “Masala” company only after working as an employee and wanted to learn acting before becoming an actor. “After seeing my face for the first time in screen through an advertisement I acted, I realized that I can act. I learned acting from “Indian school of drama” and “Theatre Lab”. The links and experience helped me a lot” said Ravichandran and shared about his experience in Television and cinema industry.

The actor said that directors such as Bhakyaraj Kannan of “Remo” fame and Mutthaiah of “Kuttipuli” fame gave him word during their initial days about giving opportunities in their films but forgot it later. “Once I helped Mutthaiah financially with the money I had for my child’s school fees. He said that I will be in his every movie but I couldn’t act in his movie even after I visited his office” Ravichandran said and added that he got the fame through Vijay TV which he failed to get through cinema.

Further, Ravichandran opened about the humiliation he faced at “Varisu” shooting spot. “Few Days ago, I got a phone call. They said that it is a big star’s movie and there’s an opportunity to do a character role in it. They asked me to go see the director. I went and saw the director. He talked to me and they said five days of my date is needed. We discussed about the salary and they asked me to arrive at the spot the next day” Ravichandran said to Vikatan.

“I had shooting for “Pandiyan Stores”. When I said about it to them, they encouraged me to complete the shooting of “Varisu” and adjusted my schedule. My daughter, son and even my wife are huge Vijay fans. I called my daughter and said that I will tell her a happy news 5 days later” the actor further.

“I reached the spot next day in front of the same director. He saw me up and down for a moment and murmured something in the ears of the assistant director before leaving immediately. Assistant Director asked me to sit in the caravan. While I was waiting in the caravan, the assistant director came and said that the director asked me to leave as I am looking too rich for the role”

“I told him that my look could be changed through make up but he didn’t listen to me. I sat down calmly for 10 minutes. I didn’t get such pain while losing lakhs and lakhs of money in my business. I would have been felt good if they sent me back saying that I am not acting well after making me act at least one scene. It’s shattering to think of it even now” he further added.

“I went to the manager who called me and said I am going to inform about it to Vijay sir. He pleaded me not to do that and said that I will be getting one day salary. I returned with dejection and got one day salary without acting. I was determined about informing Vijay sir about the incident but later decided to “let them go”. The reason behind me sharing about the incident is, why the director didn’t know that I will be looking rich in that costume ?? why should I face such humiliation ?” questioned the actor.

Source : Vikatan