Exclusive! Cobra is a complete package and it will be worth the wait: Chiyaan Vikram

The actor spoke in length about his upcoming spy thriller, directed by Ajay Gnanamuthu, during the film's promotion in Coimbatore

Vikram in a still from Cobra

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Cobra is one of the most-awaited releases of Chiyaan Vikram. After all, this is the actor's first theatrical release in three years. The team recently wrapped up the Cobra tour, where they aggressively promoted the spy thriller across south India. "We have never done this before at the ground level and it's nice to see the love and affection pouring in from everyone," says Vikram, on the sidelines of a press conference during the film's promotion in Coimbatore. Excerpts from the chat...

Cobra is finally set to release...

Yes...Cobra is a science fiction doubling up as a psychological thriller laced with action and emotions, all rolled into one. The film's director Ajay Gnanamuthu, who made Imaikka Nodigal and Demonte Colony, is someone who has always thought out of the box. Just like his previous outings, this will be a different and engaging film as well. Acting with a bunch of artistes was fun and I must say that each and every character in the film has brought something interesting to the table. There are a lot of expectations riding on the film. I know there has been an immense delay in bringing the film to the theatres and I want to apologise to the audience for that. But yes, we are coming with a renewed vigour and energy.

You have a number of looks in the film...

Well, it's not like I want to change my getup and look different in all my films. When a director briefs me about a character, I tend to visualise the same and a multitude of thoughts keep running in my head, "It would be nice to have a beard, Maybe I should put on some more weight or lose weight". Even for I, Shankar sir had asked me to shed a few kilos, but I went that extra mile because I wanted my character to look that way. As for prosthetics, they have evolved in a big way over the years. When Kamal sir worked in Indian and Dasavatharam, I believe he had brought down experts from Los Angeles. The prosthetics then used to be thick. When it's thick, it doesn't really stick to the skin and moving your face effortlessly becomes an uphill battle. By the time I worked on I, the prosthetics became slightly thinner and became a tad easier to move your face. We had an expert flown in from New Zealand. For Cobra, the prosthetics was developed in Mumbai. It looks so natural that many on the set didn't even recognise me.

Was it challenging switching from one avatar to another?

I was excited that I got something really meaty to work on. I was very particular about my body language - the way I talked and walked for each look. I had called in my son Dhruv to the studio during the post production. I have an American accent in the film and since Dhruv had studied abroad, I thought he could be of help. When he looked at the clips on screen, he said he couldn't recognise me. Dhruv is someone who speaks his mind. If he doesn't like it, he says it. I thought that was the first good feedback and I was happy.

How was it working with Ajay Gnanamuthu?

Ajay is a perfectionist of sorts and a talented filmmaker. We had a healthy competition on the set to outdo each other. We have a good chemistry. Ajay is very committed. Once he gets involved in a project, he doesn't think of anything else. He would always be on the phone and his communication would be pertaining to Cobra. His previous films got good reception, and Cobra, I think, will make people sit up and take notice.

Your thoughts on Irfan Pathan turning into an actor...

My co-stars Mirnalini (Ravi) is a Tiktok sensation, so taking the plunge into acting would have been a cakewalk for her. Srinidhi (Shetty), too, has faced the arc lights right from her modelling days. But, Irfan was someone who played cricket all his life! At first, I wondered how he would cope up with all the goings-on in the set, because he had no prior experience in acting and had never faced the camera. Plus, he didn't speak Tamil. So, we had to start from the basics, like how to look at the camera, and how to focus on one particular aspect. But Irfan was a fast learner. I saw the rushes and whatever his character requires, he has done it well. I would credit Ajay as one of the reasons for that...

Cricketers Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh have also taken the plunge into cinema..

I think it's time for us actors to go and play cricket (laughs). But on one condition, Dhoni has to be the team captain!

You are having a theatrical release after three long years...

Yes...See when Mahaan was released on OTT, it received a good reception, but I couldn't really gauge the excitement of the fans. For us actors, when a film releases in theatres, its a different experience altogether. It's the audience's reaction that motivates us. I am glad that Cobra is my first theatrical release after three years. The film is like a proper full meal with all ingredients on the menu. I think it will be worth the wait.

You seem to be enjoying the promotions and meeting fans everywhere...

Absolutely! When the lockdown happened, we were taken aback by the huge change in our lives. I think I didn't even step out of my house for 8 months. We were all confined indoors. Wearing masks, using sanitisers and staying indoors, became the new normal. When we were done with all that and finally stepped out into the world, didn't we feel emotional? That's what I felt during the promotions. I have never come on a tour like this and I am thoroughly enjoying it. 

Was the social media debut, too, part of the promotions?

In the past, I had a different working style altogether. After I completed a film, I would tick it off my list. I would then listen to a new script, mull over it and then take a decision. The director would take 6 months to write the script and I would spend another 6 months to prepare for my character. By then, one or two years would have gone. I then decided to change the way I worked.

By the time I finished Cobra, I had okayed Pa Ranjith's film. Now while prepping for that project, I have already given a go-ahead to Ajay (Gnanamuthu)'s project. It's nice to have back-to-back films in your kitty. I thought since so many films of mine are releasing, let me get on Twitter and see what's out there. I am already on Instagram. I take a lot of pictures and indulge in wordplay for the captions. Having an advertising background helped me with that. But Twitter is a new ballgame altogether. Let's see how that goes.

Today, almost all films are breaking the language barriers

That's a great thing, isn't it? Earlier, my films Dhill, Dhool, Saamy and Sethu, were all remade into other languages. It didn't matter how the remakes performed, but I was a tad upset that all the films were remade and there was nothing for me to do. But when I did Pithamagan, no one wanted to play the character I did. So, we waited for 8 months, and since there were no takers for it, we went ahead and dubbed the film. It became a hit. It was only after that that my market opened and Anniyan happened. Now I have a market in Telugu. As an actor, you always want your boundaries to grow.

I think today, any film that has good content is accepted by everyone. A huge credit goes to films like Bahubali, KGF and RRR. They have opened the floodgates for us. If Srinidhi (Shetty) is getting a good reception during the promotions, it's because of the reach of KGF. The film has broken the language barrier.

Of course, we think that we still haven't made a pan-India Tamil film. I guess everyone is working in that direction. But at the same time, we can't leave this market, too and just go after making pan-Indian films. We have to make films that will be accepted by everyone. Audiences' tastes have evolved. If you make a good film, everyone will watch. And that's quite encouraging.

You had jocularly said during the single release of Ponniyin Selvan that now that you have worked with directors Mani Ratnam and Shankar, you could happily retire...

See, I look up to some actors as my role models - Kamal Haasan, Marlon Brando, Merly Streep and Robert de Niro. Take for instance, Amitabh Bachchan sir. He is evolving every day. He was a superstar when he did Kaun Banega Crorepati. After the game show, he became a bigger star. Now, the characters that he plays are quite unique where he completely transforms himself for every role, thus leaving an indelible impression on the audience. So, I know that there is always scope for me as an actor. I don't think I am retiring anytime soon. I will be acting until my last breath. 

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