No Bollywood projects for now: Vikram

Mention Vikram and the first thoughts that come to one���������s mind are the actor���������s suave looks and charismatic persona. He���������s one of the few actors in K-town who has tread the commercial potboiler and offbeat film route with elan.
The National Award-winning actor, who was in the city recently, talks to BT about his passion for cinema and more.Excerpts from an interview:
Your last two films ��������� Raavanan and Deiva Thiirumagal ��������� were not commercial potboilers. Is that why you chose to take the commercial route in your upcoming film, Rajapattai?
My last release Deiva Thiirumagal has already crossed 100 days at the BO and is still doing well. You cannot call that an offbeat film as it has every potential to be declared commercial fare. As for Raavanan, it was a very unique subject, which earned a lot of critical acclaim, fetched recognition overseas and was even selected for many film festivals abroad. I want to do something different in every film of mine. That���������s why I keep changing my looks and style in every film.
You made your debut in Bollywood last year with Raavan. But after that, you have not signed anything in Hindi.
It���������s not that I don���������t want to do Hindi projects. I did get a couple of offers, but I was unable to take them up because of date issues. One was from Bejoy Nambiar (director of Shaitan) and the other was Sunny Deol���������s sequel to Ghayal.
Weren���������t you going to do a Malayalam film for free with Roshan Andrews?
Yes, that���������s still on the cards. I am currently held up with my Tamil projects. Earlier, I used to do one film a year, but now I have decided to do two. I have three Tamil films in the pipeline ��������� Rajapattai, Karikalan and a film with director Vijay, with whom I worked in Deiva Thiirumagal.
Why is every detail of Karikalan being kept under wraps?
That���������s because it���������s not fair on Rajapattai since it���������s going to release first, most likely in December. I don���������t want to steal the thunder from the film. But yes, I have started shooting for Karikalan.
Is there a possibility of audiences seeing you in Sandalwood?
I have already worked in three south Indian languages, Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil. I do want to work in Sandalwood, but I can���������t speak the language. The only word I know in Kannada is ���������hogu���������. The good news is that I am in touch with producer K Manju, and if all goes well, I might do a Kannada project soon.
We are seeing your philanthropic side a lot these days...
It���������s great fun to be in movies. But after a point of time, we have to return something to society. When a cricketer, actor or a politician takes up a noble cause, it grabs eyeballs, which in turn, spreads awareness. Fans emulate stars and it���������s our responsibility to do something honourable. After my film Kaasi, in which I played a blind man, I decided to donate my eyes. And before I knew it, many of my fans also volunteered to do the same. A star has to reach out to humanity.
How is Bangalore treating you?
This city has always had a special place in my heart. I still remember when I was in the 10th grade, I used to visit Bangalore and Mysore to just laze around and enjoy the weather. I used to pick up T-shirts from Brigade Road. But I could never check out a pub then as that was a strict no-no in the family. I still cherish those memories.
sangeetha.p@timesgroup.com