<p>Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, S P Jananathan, Rajesh M: these are just some of the filmmakers in Tamil cinema who are working, or will soon work, with Jiiva.</p>.<p>“I am indebted to the confidence shown by directors, producers as well as the audience. I have to work harder to match their expectations,” says Jiiva. Jiiva first appeared as a child artiste, acting in minuscule roles in a couple of films produced by his father, R B Choudry of Super Good Films. He then made his debut as a lead actor in 2003 with Aasai Aasaiyai, which was followed by Thithikudhe the same year. His subsequent release, Ameer’s mystery thriller Raam (2005) eventually gained some recognition in the film industry. Jiiva played an autistic teenager who is highly attached to his mother, but is suspected of having murdered her.<br /><br />Raam was followed by a string of films that spanned various genres such as Dishyum, E, Aran, Pori, Kattradhu Thamizh and Thenavattu. Among them, Katradhu Thamizh announced to the world that Jiiva wasn’t just any other run-of-the-mill actor, but one with substance and difference. The film, directed by newcomer Ram, featured Jiiva as a lower middle class postgraduate degree holder in Tamil literature, who gradually turns into a <br />psychopath, frustrated by the inequality in the social structure. <br /><br />In 2011, Jiiva’s Ko was one of the few blockbusters of the year. Directed by K V Anand, the film featured him in the role of a photojournalist who changes the fate of a state by bringing out a huge political change. Jiiva had a ball with the camera in Ko, and made sure his trademark effervescence is present at all times.<br /><br />In 2012, after having essayed the role of the sole hero in films for close to a decade, the actor has most recently chosen to play the role of one of the three protagonists in the Shankar-directed Nanban. “Who will refuse an opportunity to work with Shankar? Also, 3 Idiots is one of the greatest films of Bollywood. Hence, acting in Nanban turned out to be doubly delightful,” Jiiva says. <br /><br />Perhaps for the first time in his career, Jiiva approached a director — Gautham Vasudev Menon — seeking a chance to work with him. Gautham Menon is currently working on Neethane En Ponvasantham with the actor. “I am a huge fan of Gautham and it was my desire to do at least one film with him. But somehow it did not materialise for a long time. So, I approached him instead and expressed my desire to work with him. That’s how Neethane En Ponvasantham happened.”<br /><br />Jiiva is also playing an action-hero in Mugamoodi, a movie being helmed by Mysskin. Touted as the first superhero-film of Tamil cinema, Mugamoodi is being made at a whopping budget.<br /><br />“Yes, Mugamoodi will be grand in all aspects. It will be an action-entertainer with the Mysskin’s unique stamp,” admits Jiiva, who will be seen in a specially designed attire in this film.<br /><br />The actor gains his biggest strength from wife Supriya, whom he married in late 2007. The couple have a son, Sparsha.<br /><br />“My world revolves around them. Whenever I find some time, I head straight back home,” says this caring husband and doting father.</p>
<p>Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, S P Jananathan, Rajesh M: these are just some of the filmmakers in Tamil cinema who are working, or will soon work, with Jiiva.</p>.<p>“I am indebted to the confidence shown by directors, producers as well as the audience. I have to work harder to match their expectations,” says Jiiva. Jiiva first appeared as a child artiste, acting in minuscule roles in a couple of films produced by his father, R B Choudry of Super Good Films. He then made his debut as a lead actor in 2003 with Aasai Aasaiyai, which was followed by Thithikudhe the same year. His subsequent release, Ameer’s mystery thriller Raam (2005) eventually gained some recognition in the film industry. Jiiva played an autistic teenager who is highly attached to his mother, but is suspected of having murdered her.<br /><br />Raam was followed by a string of films that spanned various genres such as Dishyum, E, Aran, Pori, Kattradhu Thamizh and Thenavattu. Among them, Katradhu Thamizh announced to the world that Jiiva wasn’t just any other run-of-the-mill actor, but one with substance and difference. The film, directed by newcomer Ram, featured Jiiva as a lower middle class postgraduate degree holder in Tamil literature, who gradually turns into a <br />psychopath, frustrated by the inequality in the social structure. <br /><br />In 2011, Jiiva’s Ko was one of the few blockbusters of the year. Directed by K V Anand, the film featured him in the role of a photojournalist who changes the fate of a state by bringing out a huge political change. Jiiva had a ball with the camera in Ko, and made sure his trademark effervescence is present at all times.<br /><br />In 2012, after having essayed the role of the sole hero in films for close to a decade, the actor has most recently chosen to play the role of one of the three protagonists in the Shankar-directed Nanban. “Who will refuse an opportunity to work with Shankar? Also, 3 Idiots is one of the greatest films of Bollywood. Hence, acting in Nanban turned out to be doubly delightful,” Jiiva says. <br /><br />Perhaps for the first time in his career, Jiiva approached a director — Gautham Vasudev Menon — seeking a chance to work with him. Gautham Menon is currently working on Neethane En Ponvasantham with the actor. “I am a huge fan of Gautham and it was my desire to do at least one film with him. But somehow it did not materialise for a long time. So, I approached him instead and expressed my desire to work with him. That’s how Neethane En Ponvasantham happened.”<br /><br />Jiiva is also playing an action-hero in Mugamoodi, a movie being helmed by Mysskin. Touted as the first superhero-film of Tamil cinema, Mugamoodi is being made at a whopping budget.<br /><br />“Yes, Mugamoodi will be grand in all aspects. It will be an action-entertainer with the Mysskin’s unique stamp,” admits Jiiva, who will be seen in a specially designed attire in this film.<br /><br />The actor gains his biggest strength from wife Supriya, whom he married in late 2007. The couple have a son, Sparsha.<br /><br />“My world revolves around them. Whenever I find some time, I head straight back home,” says this caring husband and doting father.</p>
