Did you expect the film to be such a huge hit?
I would be immodest if I told you that I knew the film would click. I feel filmmakers in general underestimate the viewers. People do love good cinema. All of us were confident that nobody would walk out of the theatre disappointed. When I saw the double positive of Mozhi, I didn't see any of us, I only saw Mozhi, a beautiful film.
Unlike other male actors who came from Malayalam, you had no difficulty in getting accepted here. Is it because you can handle the language well?
I am accepted probably because I can handle Tamil better than other Malayalam actors. It could also be the people in Tamil Nadu do not know me as a Malayalam actor like they know Mohanlal or Mammootty.
Another reason could be my physical appearance. I don't think I look like a Malayali, Tamilian or an Andhrite. I think I can fit into any region.
Apart from all that, it is the natural evolution of cinema where boundaries diminish. Ten years from now, I see actors from any region acting in any of the Indian languages. Take the case of Russel Crowe; nobody calls him an Australian actor. A similar journey is already on in India too.
Though you won the Best Actor award, there was a lot of controversy surrounding it. Many people wrote that you didn't deserve it.
I didn't ask for the award. I didn't do Vaasthavam for an award. I didn't know I was in the running for the award. It is a free country, and if somebody feels I don't deserve the award, they are free to say so.
Do you feel bad?
No. Come on, every year there is some controversy or the other regarding the state awards. Even when Mohanlal and Mammootty won also, there was controversy.
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