‘Different’ is a word that actor-composer GV Prakash employs quite often during our conversation; he uses it to describe almost everything – his perspective on life, his music, and also his upcoming release, Naachiyar, helmed by director Bala
GV Prakash has always preferred charting his own path. He was not even 20 when he signed up as composer for the searing Veyil. And, about eight years into his life as composer, he decided to try his hand at acting. After a spate of youth-friendly movies such as Darling, Trisha Illana Nayanthara, Pencil and Bruce Lee, the composer-actor has now hit the big league with Naachiyaar, which releases tomorrow, Rajeev Menon’s Sarvam Thaala Mayam, and director Sasi’s next co-starring actor Siddharth, among other projects with newcomers.
For an audience used to seeing Prakash as a carefree youth on screen, Naachiyaar’s trailer was a revelation of sorts. He looked a typical Bala hero, cast against the grain and in a role that yanks him out of his comfort zone. “This is the next step forward. I’m a jovial person and quite entertaining once the ice is broken. I wanted to prove myself as an actor with a role such as this. I felt I had to do justice to my career choice. I wanted to try something new after comedy and horror. And, Bala Sir is a good person to go to when you want to do anything differently.”
He explains: “He got me to react in a manner I never have before this, changed my body language, my look… when you see the film, you will see how different this truly is.” But Prakash concedes that he needed to go through the motions with younger directors, because they helped break his inhibitions in front of the camera.
In the 2000s, Prakash made a splash as an intuitive composer, and the maturity of his background score belied his age. Of late, he’s been composing for movies he’s part of. Has he ever felt the need to choose between his two loves? “Not really. I am comfortable doing both. I don’t have to choose. The day I don’t feel good about one, I’ll quit and do something else. And yes, I’ve agreed to work on a big-budget film; the announcement should be made shortly.”
That said, Prakash says acting has given him a new perspective about life and art, and changed him as a person too. “I see the holistic picture now. And, this experience allows you to see life from a distance; you see a different view.”
Now that he’s hit the big league, does the pressure of expectation get to him? “I don’t think that will happen. I’ve always managed to choose only what excited me — I okay scripts going by instinct — and I like variety. I did not follow up Darling with another horror script, or Trisha Illana… with a similar storyline. Naachiyaar has opened new doors, and I have to explore and see where they lead me.”
And no, there never has been fear of stepping into an unknown zone, insists the young actor. “It was never there even when I did Aayirathil Oruvan or Madrasapattinam, films that called for a very different kind of music. Even now, the only worry is that I have to match Bala Sir’s standard. I should not waste his time, and have my shot okayed in the first or second take. And, I’ve managed that. It helps that I’ve worked with him before {Paradesi}.”
What Prakash likes most about this phase is the new experiences he’s part of. “For instance, for Sarvam Thaala Mayam, I met so many new musicians, jammed with them, travelled a lot…”
He is also open about his strengths and weaknesses. “I know I can’t shout. I have to prepare to be loud on screen. I work it all out in my mind before the scene,” smiles the actor, who often takes to social media to express an opinion, loudly, on issues that matter. As for his strengths, he votes for his emotional side. “But, I’m working on bettering myself. With Naachiyaar, the process has started. I know that I’m getting better with every passing day.”
It’s been about 12 years since he entered the industry. How does he deal with the admiration? “I’ve crossed that stage, I guess. For me, it’s about what I do with a film as an actor or composer. The Friday jitters are very real, but I don’t allow success or failure to affect me much. But, what gives me greatest joy is knowing I’ve worked hard and that those who have invested in the film have made their money too.”
Not many know that Prakash and Hindi director Anurag Kashyap share a very warm relationship — the young composer worked on the BGM of the director’s ambitious two-part Gangs of Wasseypur and lent his voice for Ugly.
@gvprakash hello .. what have you been doing little genius.. you look so different and so good.. having done a “Bala” film .. how many new surprises in store man
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) November 15, 2017
@gvprakash this is freaking surprising.. I don’t even recognize you.. we have to meet
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) November 15, 2017
“Seeing me in Naachiyaar, he told me he could not recognise me, and that he would like to work with me, the actor,” smiles Prakash. That would be in keeping with Prakash’s dream of working on films of the kind that Sanjay Leela Bhansalli, Raju Hirani or SS Rajamouli make. Creations with a lot of heart.
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The GV Prakash interview is a Silverscreen exclusive.
