PremiumParachute actor Kishore Interview: On Kantara, Vetrimaaran's Viduthalai, and being a 'lazy actor' | EXCLUSIVE
Parachute actor Kishore Interview: He reflects on his two-decade long career, stating he likes to do diverse roles that challenge him
Last Updated: 07.20 PM, Nov 29, 2024
At a time when movie promotions have become a customary ritual and journalists take quick turns to strike up a conversation with celebrities, this interview with actor Kishore too was set up like that. However, when the actor enquires if I had water, and exchange pleasantries more than just the formalities, it feels heartwarming and so was this conversation veering towards.
Kishore, who is seen as a strict yet caring parent in the Disney+ Hotstar series Parachute, says, “This is my story, in a sense, anyone can relate to it from my generation. Most of us had fathers and mothers like this (laughs). It is a story to be told, and probably if not now, I would have at some point in my life made a film like this. There is no right way to do parenting as it changes every generation. My younger son does not behave like my elder one. It is quite challenging and stressful, that is why I have some patches (laughs). But it is also interesting and learning every day.”
Kishore interview for Parachute
Kishore who is working in multiple languages, and is not bound by one type of role, says that his two-decade-long career began with him just wanting to get some work. “The work I thought I could do, and capable of. I slowly drifted towards arts and did college theatre, took part in competitions. Even though I tried marketing, I could not sustain there. But this is the work I liked, and I started doing small roles. My major break came through a Kannada film Kanti. It was just a work for me, and I took up roles that I liked seeing myself in.”
Kishore says that 20 years now, he continues to do any kind of roles, which does not box him under one category. He adds, “I have been used effectively, and as I get, I feel whatever I am doing is working. I thank the writers and directors for it.”
The actor says that he does not process, and instead terms himself as a “lazy actor”. “I am just a reactor, to situations and people around me. I am asked what is my process when I do not really have one. Just like how we farm, where we just go there and observe the fields, my process too is to observe. I have seen a good actor contribute to the characters and their directors. But me being a lazy actor, you can say I am more of my director’s actor. But again, my life experiences too come into play organically,” Kishore says.
Has industry changed at all?
Having a career of over 20 years, Kishore feels that the industry has not changed much. He continues, “Being real humans is difficult in this era I believe, because to tell real stories one has to be sensitive and sensible. Now, it is too market-driven and mechanical. The younger generation also tends to be that. Being what we were 20-30 years before is the biggest challenge we have as artists. Every art form has lost its value.”
Kishore says that is why he feels directors like Vetrimaaran have been able to create an audience who is open-minded. “He took Polladhavan 17 years ago, and created an audience through a generation, who trusts your vision and never feels cheated. He does not indulge in giving adrenaline rush, and get away. He has some honest things to tell,” Kishore says.
The actor goes on to say how there are films like Vetrimaaran’s which give some food for thought for audience. “Most films give what the audience wants. If they need an item song, it is placed. But such films when we just adhere to what the audience wants only, do not carry a seed of thought. There is no conversation around it, which doesn’t let society or healthy cinema grow.”
“We need more political voices”
Given Kishore is part of Vetrimaaran’s upcoming film Viduthalai - Part 2, the actor says that someone has to take up the responsibility to take some political voices in cinema, question the issues and educate audience.
“As an artiste, we do have responsibilities to keep breaking barriers. When we did Modern Love Chennai, our story was considered not acceptable. Anybody in their senses, would side with one character. The end is not acceptable by any. But it is the job of creative artistes to nudge the boundaries of truth. When you keep the boundaries fixed, we will never know what the other generation thinks.”
Kishore who was part of Kantara says, “Kantara was more of an entertainer. I still believe more of the adivaasis lives could have been explored. It was still romanticised. Rishab Shetty is a wonderful filmmaker and understands his audience very well. He puts his idea across in a way that people like it. But Vetrimaaran puts his ideas in the way he wants it.”