All geared up for action: Jayam Ravi

For Jayam Ravi, this year���s Deepavali will be special. Apart from being his ���Thala Deepavali���, the festival will also see his much-awaited action flick Peraanmai hitting the screens.
Talking about the effort that the project required, he says, ���It was a tough project, but at the same time, a very enjoyable one. ���
And yes, for this film, Jayam Ravi has developed a six-pack.���I was put on a strict diet and my taste buds weren���t treated for almost one-and-a-half years. I shed almost 13 kg. Even while shooting in the jungles, I could not escape my fitness routine,��� he rues.
But it seems he has reaped the fruits of his labour as the film���s teaser has come in for a lot of praise.
Ravi, who chose to do the stunts himself without opting for body doubles, shares a great bond with the villain of the film, Roland Kickinger. Talking about the bond he shares with the anti-hero of Terminator 4, Ravi says, ���Kickinger is a very sweet person. He took time to come to my home and fell in love with our idlis and chutney.���
The actor is full of praise for the director too. ���Jana sir, (S PJananthan, the director of Peraanmai) is a tough task master. But he really moulded me and I learnt a lot. We did the shooting in the virgin jungles braving the rain, sun and leeches,��� he discloses.
Although he raves about the five heroines in the film, Ravi doesn���t want to reveal who his favourite is. Prod him for details and all he���ll say is that the glamour quotient in the movie is just apt for the script.
The actor, who has delivered several hits by working together with his brother Raja, is again working with him in Thillalangadi, in which he has been paired opposite Tamannaah. Ravi has no hesitation revealing that he is a naughty, sweet boy in real life.
Ask him whether he will be missing the fun of Deepavali this time as he will be shooting for Thillalangadi and pat comes the reply, ���I will be shooting for Thillalangadi.
But being away from my hometown is not going to deter my spirits. My entire family will be with me and it���s going to be a rocking Deepavali.��� And he also has a surprise for his wife Aarthi.
The chat slowly weans away from films and to the changes post-marriage. Says Ravi, ���After marriage, I have become a more responsible person.���
He doesn���t forget to add that he is a good husband too. About Aarthi, he proudly says, ���She is a great pillar of support. It is nice to have somebody who always looks at the positive side and encourages you.���
sindhu.vijayakumar@timesgroup.com