Veteran actor Nagarjuna opens up about stepping into uncharted territory with Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie, where he plays a full-fledged villain for the first time in his career. Calling it a refreshing change, the superstar reveals why portraying a negative character turned out to be a “positive experience.”
Nag, so you are playing the villain in Lokesh Kanagraj’s Coolie?
Ha ha, yes I am. Is that too shocking to hear?
You haven’t played a villain before?
I haven’t. That was the fun of it. The guy I play is really evil. So much so when Lokesh came to me I asked him, ‘Can anyone really be so evil?’ He assured me there are people who are even more evil than this.
Was it tough for the director to convince you?
It was very tough. When Lokesh came to me I was very hesitant. I didn’t know if I should do this, whether my audience will accept me in a negative role. Lokesh had to narrate the role several times before he could convince me. But now I am glad I did this. It’s a change from the conventional roles. This guy in Coolie is a law unto himself. He does what he wants to. There is no one to stop him. Or so he thinks. So playing a negative role was a positive experience for me, doing things I’d never do in real life. And oh, there is something else which I haven’t done before.
What is that?
I’ve dubbed in all three languages—Telugu, Tamil and Hindi—in my own voice for Coolie. I don’t know if other actors have done this. But for me speaking in three languages for one film was a first. I am sure Kamal Haasan has done it.
Another first was working with Rajinikanth?
Yes! Of course I had known Rajini Sir for many years. But we had never worked together. As a professional, everything you and I have heard about him is true. He is kind, humble, gentle, supportive and very down-to-earth. It was a pleasure working with him. And by the way, this is his fiftieth year in films.
It is also your 39th year in cinema?
Ha ha, actually much longer. Vikram in 1986 was my first as a leading man. But I started as a baby actor much earlier.
Your debut in Hindi was Ram Gopal Varma’s Shiva which is being re-released?
That film is one of my favourites. It still has grit, and relevance.
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