I’m going to switch to positive roles from now: Arjun

Arjun, who will next star in Blast , describes the film as a “nice actionoriented family drama”. As a girl dad himself, the actor says could instantly identify with his character. “The film touches upon how our daughters should be mentally and physically strong for them to survive in society. Personally, I, too, believe that, and that’s also how I’ve raised my daughters.”

He is all praise for his co-stars Abhirami and Preity Mukhundhan, who play his wife and daughter, respectively. “I appreciate their hard work and dedication. They learnt martial arts and worked really hard day and night,” he informs.

Given that he’s the Action King, Arjun says he also shared tips from his experience to help pull off action well on-screen.

‘I DIDN’T PLAN ON DOING NEGATIVE ROLES’While he has of late been seen in negative roles, Arjun says he is ready to move away from such roles. “People have been approaching me for positive roles as well, but I didn’t pick those. In fact, I didn’t plan on doing negative roles. Mani Ratnam sir approached me for Kadal and I did it. I initially didn’t want to do Irumbu Thirai , but when I heard the script, it explored a different dimension; I also got a lot of recognition for it. Then, I did Leo and Vidaamuyarchi . But now, that’s it. I’m going to switch to positive roles from now,” he says.

Despite having completed 45 years in cinema, Arjun says celebrating milestones has never interested him. “I don’t celebrate anything. I have never felt the need to do that. I don’t know why,” he says.

‘AS A DIRECTOR, YOU CREATE EVERYTHING’Meanwhile, direction gives him the greatest creative satisfaction, even more than acting. “You create everything as a director, including situations and characters. And it’s you who decides which actor will justify that character. When it’s appreciated by the public, it means you are in sync with lakhs of people,” he explains.

‘It’s a very big achievement’The actor also weighed in on actor-turned-politician Vijay becoming Chief Minister. “A person from my fraternity has contested in the election and won, that too in their very first attempt! It’s a very big achievement. I’m happy that a person whom I know very well and have worked together with is now a CM,” he says.