I owe it to Vasantabalan sir: Magesh

One classy performance and life hasn’t been the same for actor Magesh, who plays the lead role in Angadi Theru, a movie that seems to have won the hearts and admiration of both the audiences and critics in Tamil Nadu.
“Before Angadi Theru, my ambition was to get a government job. I was hoping to get into the police force or the army. But now, all that has changed,” says the 20-year-old soft-spoken volleyball player, whose dad is a puffed rice vendor and mom, a housewife.
It is not without reason that Magesh’s performance has come in for such lavish praise. The youngster has handled a difficult role with the proficiency of a professional. In fact, at no given point of time in the movie, does a viewer realise that this is his debut film. Point this out to him and all that he does is flash a grateful smile.
Dwell on this topic a little longer and you realise Angadi Theru’s success might have changed his life but not his down-to-earth attitude. In all humility, the actor says, “The credit goes to director Vasantabalan sir.” Narrating how he landed the offer to act in the film, he says, “I had gone to Tirunelveli to play volleyball where a few of Vasanta Balan sir’s assistants spotted me. They enquired if I would be interested in acting and took a picture of me. I kept getting calls from them and I received one such call when I was in Madhya Pradesh to play a tournament. When my coach saw me getting repeated calls, he inquired as to what was happening and I told him about the offer. He asked me to consider the option. It was then that I came to Chennai and met Vasanthabalan sir, who asked me to enact a few scenes. He liked my performance and said ‘You are the film’s hero.’ However, I had problems convincing my family.
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The film attempts to throw light on the difficult lives that salesmen and women lead in Chennai. What is heartening to know is that the film has succeeded despite having no big stars in it. Acknowledges Magesh, “Anjali (the heroine) had already done a couple of projects and would help me by giving suggestions. Pandi, who plays my friend in the movie, was very helpful.”
Finally, has he signed his next film? Says the actor, “I don’t know much about movies. To make sure I don’t select the wrong projects, I’ve requested Vasanthabalan sir to guide me. I will do what he says,” he concludes with a smile.
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