I have stopped being emotionally attached to films: Bobby Simha

The actor, whose Thiruttu Pahale 2 has released to positive reviews, opens up about the 'gethu' of playing a cop
I have stopped being emotionally attached to films: Bobby Simha

Bobby Simha was barely 15 when he decided he wanted to act in films. "Nothing mattered to me except that. I knew I'd become an actor, and pursued my dreams relentlessly. I didn't even take my school education seriously," he smiles. The actor, whose Thiruttu Payale 2 got released recently, says life drastically changed after he won the National award for Jigarthanda

"I wanted to keep myself busy; so I accepted a lot of films. That was a big mistake. I should have said no to some of them. For instance, I was shooting for Urumeen, Bangalore Naatkal and Paambhu Sattai simultaneously. I barely got any sleep," he says.

But he's all the wiser now. "I used to sign films because of goodwill. But that has resulted in some bitter experiences. Solradhu onnu, edukkardhu onnu. I don't want to pick names, but I've learned that to be at the top, you have to be constantly successful. Nobody will respect you otherwise," he rues. 

The actor is wary of being stereotyped. "That's why I did films like Metro, Kavalai Vendam and Karuppan," he says. "I did Karuppan for Vijay Sethupathi. He's my good friend. I told him I didn't have dates, but he said he would adjust his. It's quite hard to find people like him in the industry."

Over the years, he has also learned to not get emotionally attached to his films. "But I always put my heart and soul into them. For that reason, I don't think I'll ever regret doing a film in my career," he says. "Even a film like Masala Padam, which didn't do too well. I did it because my role was different." 

On his latest release, Thiruttu Payale 2, Bobby Simha says the motivation to do it was its director, Susi Ganeshan. "The amount of research Susi sir did amazed me. He's an excellent actor himself. All I had to do was listen to his instructions. He had all the details about my character clearly etched," he says.

Being part of this film has made him more aware of cyber attacks. "It's scary, how much social media intrudes into our private space. Also, we think cybersecurity is only about things like password and confidential emails and messages. But it's so much more," he says.

It's also only the second time -- after Aadama Jaichomada -- that Bobby Simha is playing a cop. "He's not a commercial film cop who beats up hundred men at a time. He is one of those real police officers you spot on the road. I hardly had to do any preparatory work. Uniform potaale, thaane gethu vandhurum," he smiles.

Does he play a cop in Saamy Square as well? "I can only tell you that Hari sir's story is fantastic. What you guys expect won't be there in the film. Vera level-a irukum," he says.

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