Dileep: I am happy working in the Satyan Anthikkad film

Dileep, who is one of the most popular heroes in Malayalam, has not been having any hits of late. The year 2006 was not that good for him, judging by the box-office response that his films elicited. But that doesn't in any way deter him from trying his hand at all kinds of films and going ahead without stopping to take account of gains and losses.

His rise to stardom is the result of sheer hard work. And this hard work is what gave him successes like Punjabi House, Joker, Meesha Madhavan, CID Moosa etc. After a not-so-favourable 2006, Dileep starts 2007 with his just released Inspector Garud and is on to a very interesting project, the Satyan Anthikad-directed yet-untitled film in which he is playing the lead role. Dileep is elated about the film and spoke in detail in a recent telephonic interview given to Unni Nair of nowrunning.com. Excerpts:

So, how is Inspector Garud doing at the box office?

The response seems to be good at all the centres. The film is intended to be a pure entertainer and hence it is drawing crowds all over. I hope people will like the film, seeing it only as an entertainer and nothing else.

You are playing the lead in a Satyan Anthikad film for the first time. How is the experience?

I have always liked him as a director. Earlier when I was struggling to make my entry into filmdom in the directorial department, I always wanted to become his assistant. Anyhow that didn't materialize. I had acted earlier in his film Thoovalkottaram as the hero's brother. And it is now for the first time that I am doing the hero in his film. I need not say much about him. Everyone knows about him as a director. It's my luck that I am doing this film. I am happy about it.

Tell us something about your character in the film?

I am playing an educated but unemployed young man named Vinod in the yet-untitled film. Vinod had many opportunities in life, but he is adamant that he would do only a white collar job. And that keeps him unemployed. It's a very well worked-out character and I am sure the film would do me good.

Mukesh too is acting along with you in the film. And it is a long time since you two were seen together on the screen.

The last time we came together on screen was in Kalyanapittennu, twelve years back. In this film he plays the role of Shaji Raghavan, an engineer in the irrigation department. Shaji is the brother-in-law of Vinod, the character played by me.

Let's travel back in time a bit. You acted in Kathavasheshan, the off-beat film directed by T.V. Chandran. And you produced it too. But it didn't do any good for you. The film proved a flop. How do you feel about it?

I won't agree when you say that it didn't do any good to me. The film was for me a challenge. The role was unlike any that I had done in my other films and the subject too was good. The script was also well-written. I saw it as a challenge and hence I took it up. I did the role for the sake of the challenge and I produced the film too not for money, but just for the sake of producing such a good movie. I am totally satisfied with it.

You have been a popular actor, someone who has earned for himself a place in the hearts of the viewers. What, in your view, is the secret of your success and your popularity?

Success is something that happens. We just go on doing our work and when everything fits in well - I mean the subject, the packaging, the teamwork etc, success happens. For an actor, every film or every role is a responsibility or a commitment. As for me, I am satisfied only when I feel that I have done justice to my work and have satisfied my viewers. I concentrate on putting in my heart and soul into the portrayal of each and every character that I do on screen and in return the viewers make me popular by accepting me. That is the only reason for my success or popularity.

What about your other forthcoming films?

Speed Track will soon get released. I am also doing a film directed by Joshi and produced by AMMA, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists. Some other interesting projects too are in the offing.

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