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Famous director ‘Jayam’ Raja, brother of the equally famous ‘Jayam’ Ravi, both sons of Editor Mohan, interacted with a group of college students from SDNB Vaishnav, Ethiraj as well as Quaid-e-Milleth for Doordarshan and the programme was telecast on January 15, for Pongal Dhamaka.
Raja shared his personal and professional experience in that warm and informal rendezvous.
He was flooded with questions and his answers were simple and thought-provoking. Here are excerpts from his interview:
What brought you to movie-making?
I’ve tasted movies in my mother’s womb. Cinema was there in the family’s atmosphere, as my father is producer Mohan. He was a big help in starting my career and with the blessings of the Almighty, I am in the world of celluloid.
Who is the favourite heroine in your films and who fulfils your expectations?
Ah… I like all of them because each and everyone has her own value and is talented. That’s why they are here.
(When students insisted he name a heroine, he laughed and said Genelia fulfilled all of his crew’s expectations, and that she is a very talented and bubbly actress.)
What are the positive and negative characteristics of your brother ‘Jayam’ Ravi?
Hmm… well, Ravi is the one I admire because he is serious, hard working and is the perfect actor. Ravi learnt classical dance from his childhood and when he danced for five hours non-stop, I was awestruck. He also learnt fighting, swimming, horse riding, etc., before he stepped into the film industry: this aspect is admirable in him.
(Again, when the students insisted that he describe his brother’s negative aspects, he smiled, “Ahh… there is nothing like that.”
How far does music play a role in your films?
Yes… obviously, music plays a big role in my films. From my first film till ‘Velayudham’, music travels along with me because there is no life in a commercial movie without music. As I know the basics of keyboard and as I am also a music-lover, at least one song in my film is a hit. Moreover, I love toe-tapping numbers rather then melodies.
When will we get to see Director Raja as Actor Raja?
(With a laugh) first, I need to achieve my goal of being a good director. I don’t want to my work to overlap. It might happen in future, perhaps, but I have not planned for it.
What about remakes coming your way and what are your future projects?
About my future project, it’s still in discussion and in a couple of months, I’ll reveal it. I assure you that there will not be remakes in the near future – may be after sometime.
Wrapping up the interview, Raja wished the students a happy Pongal and took leave.
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