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By V. Muthukumaran
Every morning this artiste observes minutely the body language of the vegetable
traders and wholesalers going to and from Koyambedu market. As part of the character
study, he takes note of their chat, mannerisms and mood as reflected by their faces, to
decipher whether they are happy with the prevailing trends in the commodities market.
For actor Vinu Chakravarthe life is a constant study of self-evaluation to progress. 'I
learn many new things from vegetable sellers as much as I have been inspired by the
books of Karl Marx, Tamil writers like kalaignar M Karunanidhi and Jayakanthan. No less
than 10 pages of script I write for future use and also read at least 20 pages from
books,' says Chakravarthe in his typical sonorous diction. 'For me writing and reading
are as essential as breathing, eating and bathing everyday.'
Having essayed diverse roles in close to 1,000 films, Chakravarthe has been a
passionate actor since his entry into therukoothu at his village Melaputhur in
Usilamapatti district as a six-year-old.
Encouraged by the leader of the koothu troupe Oachaayi Thevar, he donned many
characters with aplomb before he joined Wesley High School in Chennai and completed
B Com in A M Jain College.
'During my brief career in police for two years and a five-year stint in Railways at
Mysore, I was acting and writing scripts to stage plays,' he recalls.
Making the debut in Tamil cinema through Rosappu Ravikaikaari (1978), hero
Sivakumar's 100th film, both as writer of story-screenplay and an actor gave him much
satisfaction and media acclaim. 'My role as pannaiyar, a godfather to the hero, was
appreciated by the media and the public.' Soon followed Vandi Chakaram (1979-80)
where besides acting, he wrote the story and screenplay, and after that, took up the
dialogue part of Emaigal (1981) with Sivaji Ganesan as the protagonist.
But the real change-of-guard came in his meaty assignment as a father in-law of the
heroine in Manivannan-directed Gopurangal Saivathillai (1982). 'The film was a great
success, especially my portrayal received accolades from women. It was then director
Bharathiraja advised me to take up acting as full time as viewers were receptive to my
character and looks,' he says.
With Bharathiraja he has done memorable films like Manvaasanai and Oru Kaithiyin
Diary and along with his acting career developed a social consciousness that he is
waiting to express through his directorial ventures.
Perturbed by the inequities and fissures in society based on caste, creed and religion,
Chakravarthe says nature has its own way of meting out justice to those priding
themselves as superior race and exhibiting crass arrogance when a helping hand is
needed to uplift the poor and marginalised people. 'Whether it's earthquake (land),
tsunami (water), cyclone (air), or fire tragedies, the panchabutaas are just reacting to
the injustices of society,' he avers. Nature can throw off how-so-ever high one is to
ground zero in a jiffy, if vainglory and arrogance towards the poor cross a limit, he
reasons.
'We have no right to find excuses, fault with the deprived people or to blame their plight
on destiny or divine curse. We have the right only to help the suffering poor, or
otherwise keep quiet,' he states as a counterpoint to those who justify the condition of
the suffering class.
He has with him 32 ready-made scripts on issues of social importance to be shot into
films, subjects, that he says, are tailormade for the likes of both seasoned Rajnikant and
newcomer Dhanush. 'At least 10 films should come from me as a director for I want to
project my social consciousness and public thought in the medium of cinema,' he
gushes.
A staunch devotee of Goddess 'Maangaadu' Kaamakshi, he says, 'my senses revolted
at the gory animal sacrifice done at Moonu (three) Swami kovil at Karmathur village in
Madurai. Then on, I began to worship Kaamakshi, have been a pure vegetarian for the
last 30 years with no vices like smoking and drinking.'
Game to the hardwork needed for a successful director, the veteran actor livens up: 'In
60-year old Vinu Chakravarthe, there is a 20-year old persona waiting to become a
creative director. One day, he will blossom in the field with full glow.' Cine-buffs will be
only too pleased if he does.
