Vijayakanth was director's actor: RV Udayakumar

With condolences pouring in following the demise of actor-politician Vijayakanth, the verses from a song from his film Chinna Gounder, “andha vaanatha pola manam padacha manavane”, have been repeatedly played to bid the final goodbye. Director RV Udayakumar, who directed the film and also wrote all the lyrics of the song, paid an emotional farewell to his actor.

Speaking to CE, Udayakumar said, “Vijayakanth was that one person who encouraged filmmaking students during the mid 80s. I remember him saying that one need not worry about his dates and remuneration, and he will be ready to do the film. One such turned out to be the blockbuster and it was Oomai Vizhigal, directed by Arvindraj and written and produced by Abavanam. I also worked as assistant director in Uzhavan Magan.”

The director also recalled the time when he started out and made Chinna Gounder. “I was getting married, when my professional life was yet to take off properly. But despite his stardom, Vijayakanth helped me a lot. He had lent his five cars and drivers without any hesitation. He was the first person to attend my reception. After MGR, he was one kindred soul who helped people a lot. He did not differentiate between the small and big people.”

Udhayakumar continues to hail how Vijayakanth prized his friendships and people around them and never for once discriminated people based on their status. “Wherever we go, he never showed off his stardom. He ate the same food, and sat with us. At the time of making Chinna Gounder, he was popular for making action oriented films. But I was going to present him in a different image. He wore only one costume, a white shirt and dhoti for the entire film. His friend, Ibrahim Rowther, convinced him to do the film. But once got committed to it, he was completely a director’s actor. At that time, we were shooting for another film. So he used to shoot that film and come down to Pollachi in the early hours and wake me up. He used to be sleep deprived with red eyes. I made him to sleep sometime and he would then act. I cannot forget all the cooperation he gave me. That is why he was able to give so many successful films. He acted with many directors and he never compared to one another.”

Sharing an anecdote, he continued, “Before the release of Chinna Gounder, Jayalalitha mam had wanted to watch the film and she said how rooted it was. After that, Kalaignar ayya wanted to watch it. Only after they appreciated, Vijayakanth believed the film will be successful. He was an innocent soul and true to himself.”