The script is the hero of 6ne Maili; I just play a character who drives the narrative along: Sanchari Vijay

Even though the team of this week’s release,

6ne Maili

, released images of actor Sanchari Vijay’s look in the film, they have been tightlipped about his characterisation, leading to much speculation whether the National Award-winning actor is in a role with grey shades. His body language in the trailer, along with the fact that he seen smoking cigars and sporting coloured contact lenses has only added to the intrigue. “After the first show, people will know what my character is about and since we waited so long, we may as well hang on for one more day,” Vijay says with a grin.
But what was it about the film, which has an ensemble cast, that excited the actor? “The music director of 6ne Maili, Sai Kiran, is a good friend who had worked on one of my earliest plays. He is good friends with director See Ni. I actually wanted to work with

See Ni

when he was making Pallavi Talkies. I had gone with a friend, and he got a role in the film, while I didn’t. Later on, after I had won the National Award, See Ni met me and suggested that we collaborate on a project. He gave me a script narration, which really thrilled me. He explained that it wouldn’t be the run-of-the-mill filmmaking with a non-linear narrative. I found that also intriguing. The fact that the crew was also a bunch of people close to me made it feel like I was working with my extended family,” says Vijay.
Among the few things that See Ni was particular about was that Vijay’s characterisation and look in the film had to be drastically different from his earlier works. “In the larger scheme of things, 6ne Maili is a film in which only the story can claim to be the hero. There are multiple characters who take the narrative along, and I am one among them,” adds Vijay.
His greatest learning from the filming, however, was about how careful one must be while taking off on a trekking expedition, especially when in a mixed group. “Earlier, I have gone on trips, but with a bunch of guys and we never, thankfully, encountered any danger. 6ne Maili is based on real incidents and while shooting I realised the perils that lurk in destinations like that and what people should do to stay safe,” Vijay signs off.