Bagavathi Perumal On working In Thug Life With Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam: 'It's A Masterclass' | Exclusive

Advertisement

Last Updated:May 29, 2025, 18:04 IST

Bhagavathi Perumal, besides known arsenic Bucks, opens up astir moving with Mani Ratnam, Kamal Haasan, Thiyagarajan Kumaraja, and Rajkumar Rao.

Bagavathi Perumal, besides known arsenic Bucks, became a well-known look with the occurrence of Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanam (2012).

Bagavathi Perumal, besides known arsenic Bucks, became a well-known look with the stupendous occurrence of Vijay Sethupathi’s Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanam (2012). But it was his relation arsenic Berlin successful Super Deluxe, an abomination of a character. The relation enactment Bucks, who was till past perceived arsenic a comedian, successful a antithetic limelight. Over the years, the histrion has managed to beryllium successful immoderate absorbing projects including the Bollywood movie Monica, O My Darling. However, successful this interview, helium opens up astir moving connected the existent sensation, Thug Life, with Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, wherefore helium loves playing cops, his missed villain arc, and his long-standing imagination of directing.

Bucks, aft watching you successful Super Deluxe, I was benignant of scared. You were arsenic terrifying arsenic Berlin! How did you pat into that intensity?

You should beryllium scared! [laughs] A batch of radical archer maine that. I happened to ticker this movie again with my friends. A mates of weeks back. And… I was like… I hatred this man.

You’re a portion of Thug Life. How did that happen?

When the teaser dropped successful December 2023, I thought they’d finished the film. I watched it and thought, How astonishing would it beryllium to beryllium portion of this? A fewer weeks later, astir Pongal, I got a telephone from the accumulation team. I spoke to manager Dhana, an subordinate of Mani Ratnam, and helium asked maine astir the remuneration. I joked, “If you’re not asking maine for money, I’m in!" [laughs] And that’s however it started.

How was it moving with Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan?

Bliss. Pure bliss. Mani sir introduced maine to Kamal sir connected time one, on with Joju George and different actor. He said, “This is Bhagavathi Perumal, an upcoming artist." And Kamal sir said, “I cognize him." That infinitesimal — unforgettable. Mani Sir had watched Super Deluxe, 96, and Monica Metallics. So, 1 day, helium told maine during the shoot, “I americium torturing you. Don’t worry. I americium getting a caller show retired of you. You are precise apt for that peculiar movie. I americium trying to get thing peculiar from this movie, this character.

Mani Ratnam has a estimation for being reserved. How is helium connected set?

While directing, helium is an extrovert. On set, he’s wholly focused. Being an MBA graduate, helium doesn’t discarded a azygous second. He’s alert of the economics of filmmaking. No unnecessary retakes. He ne'er compliments the actors. He volition decorativeness the changeable and erstwhile it’s good helium volition determination to the adjacent spot. Offset, he’s relaxed. But erstwhile directing — laser-sharp.

After Super Deluxe, I expected to spot you successful much villain roles. Why didn’t that happen?

Nobody called me! [laughs] And I didn’t scope retired either. I thought if radical liked the performance, they’d scope out. I was naïve.

But you ended up doing Monica, O My Darling successful Hindi. How did that travel about?

That happened due to the fact that of Vasan Bala. We had worked connected an advertisement together. He told maine helium wanted to formed maine successful his adjacent film. A twelvemonth later, I got a telephone from a casting bureau successful Mumbai. When they said Vasan Bala, I instantly said yes… didn’t adjacent request to perceive the script.

You precocious acted successful Tourist Family with a 24-year-old director. How bash you displacement betwixt moving with debutants and veterans similar Mani Ratnam?

To me, it’s the same. Every director, whether it’s Mani sir oregon a newcomer similar Abhi, deserves respect. Their styles whitethorn differ, but my occupation is to service the manager and the text. Abhi crafted a superb film. I salute that.

You’ve ever wanted to beryllium a director. Where does that imagination basal now?

Still pending. I’ve written a fewer scripts. The latest is an English-language animation philharmonic — could beryllium a web bid too. I mightiness not nonstop it since animation needs a antithetic accomplishment set. But I’m pitching it. And yes, I anticipation to nonstop astatine slightest a abbreviated movie soon.

What benignant of movie would you make? Any genre. But I privation it to beryllium remembered, a movie radical cherish for a lifetime.

How bash you grip the agelong gaps betwixt projects?

After Super Deluxe, I didn’t get immoderate offers for a agelong time. Now, I’m getting offers, but I’m turning galore down. People accidental I’ve done a batch of bull roles. I say: number however galore I’ve rejected!

You’ve had aggregate releases this year: Good Night, Tourist Family, School, and more. What drives you?

I’m precise choosy. I lone bash roles that situation me. I’ve said nary to scripts adjacent if they’re commercially promising due to the fact that they didn’t animate me.

You are portion of Jailer 2. How was it to enactment with Rajinikanth? 

Bliss. On the acceptable of Jailer 2, helium said, “Didn’t you play that inspector character? What are you doing now?" I was stunned. Rajini sir remembered my role. That’s a blessing.

What’s your eventual goal? When volition you accidental ‘I’ve arrived’?

Never. I’ll ne'er accidental I’ve arrived. Every movie is simply a caller beginning. I privation audiences to emotion my performances, whether I’m acting oregon directing. That’s each that matters.

Location :

First Published:

News movies » regional-cinema » Bagavathi Perumal On moving In Thug Life With Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam: 'It's A Masterclass' | Exclusive