Exclusive! Ashok Selvan: I find it weird that people still raise a hue and cry over kissing scenes in films

Ashok Selvan, who is on a high with back-to-back projects with notable roles, is awaiting the release of Venkat Prabhu's Manmatha Leelai which is hitting the screens on April 1. A self-confessed workaholic, he says that it is the desire to land different and interesting roles which keeps him going.

In an interview with OTTplay, the actor talks in detail about his decade-old career, working with Venkat, headlining an adult comedy, change in the mindset of audience in terms of receiving films which belong to the genre, chemistry with three female leads in Manmatha Leelai and appetite to play challenging characters.

Manmatha Leelai is riding high on expectations, thanks to its promo videos and the less explored adult comedy genre. What can the audience look forward to?

It is a 100 percent fun-filled entertainer which is devoid of a deep emotional curve or preachy messages. It's a hilarious take on the life of a flamboyant youngster who falls into multiple romantic affairs. Though its genre is adult comedy, it has a certain dignity to it; the screenplay is quite fresh. There are no eyebrow-raising moments in the film.

What was your first reaction when you were approached with the story?

This is the first time Venkat Prabhu sir has worked on a screenplay for a story written by another person. It was his assistant Manivannan Balasubramaniam who came up with the story idea. I was told that it is an experimental movie and was impressed with the story narrated to me. He is known for experimenting in mainstream movies and I had complete trust in him.  

Did you have any apprehensions while okaying the project as the genre is still not considered as a 'completely acceptable' one?

No, not at all. I look at myself as an actor who wants to experiment with different genres and diverse characters. I don't have any specific plans when I choose a script. My character and the script as a whole should appeal to me. I find it weird that people still make an uproar over kissing in films. 

As far as this movie is concerned, its script demands kissing scenes. We recently had a movie in which Ayushmann Khurrana falls in love with a transwoman. But there are many who still make a big issue out of kissing scenes between characters.

In recent times, Tamil cinema has had a few examples of adding extra elements in script to please family audiences. At a time like this, how much do you think a film like Manmatha Leelai will attract people?

First of all, this movie is strictly for adults only. I believe it can be enjoyed only by a mature audience. I love my job and I found it as a fresh genre because of which I signed this film. Moreover, I have always trusted the audience and they have loved me back by welcoming films like Soodhu Kavvum, Thegidi, Oh My Kadavule and Sila Nerangalil Sila Manidhargal. I'm sure they will appreciate this film, too. 

How was it to work with a seasoned filmmaker like Venkat Prabhu?

We finished the movie in 25 days and it was an amazing experience. I have mostly worked with first timers in my career, so associating with someone like Venkat sir was a completely different experience. He makes his actors very comfortable and is a very nice person as well. 

The genre of the film is such that the story has chances to end up in a vulgar manner. But the reputation and experience he has has immensely helped in making the movie a thorough entertainer. As a director, he doesn't act and ask actors to imitate his body language, he just guides us. The method was quite encouraging. Working with him helped me work on my comic timing.

Unlike the regular romantic dramas, you need to have flawless chemistry with heroines to get the act together. How was it to share screen space with Samyuktha, Riya and Smruthi?

They are all very dedicated, hard working and thorough professionals. We all had healthy conversations on how each scene could be executed in a better manner.  

Looking back at your career that spans a decade, were you able to achieve what you had planned?  

I have had an experimental career from the beginning. I never had a particular destination where I was desperate to reach. All I wanted from the first film was to play as many different characters as possible and learn more about the acting process. I'm still learning and am glad that I have a few exciting projects in the pipeline.

You have been a self-confessed fan of Kamal Haasan from the beginning. Is he your inspiration for aiming at different characters?

Kamal Haasan, Al Pacino and Ryan Gosling are my favourite actors; the common factor about the three is that they are different in each film. I don't want any trace of the character I played in Manmatha Leelai in my next film. While I was working in Manmathe Leelai, I ensured that there was no trace of the role I had played in my previous outing Sila Nerangalil Sila Manidhargal.