Vikram : A close look at the award winner
- IndiaGlitz, [Tuesday,August 17 2004]
In Swamy he mixes beer with idlis and breaks into a song while in Pithamaghan he has no dialogues at all. The sheer range of performances has been described as half Rajnikant and half Kamalhassan. The Superstar himself hinted that the throne that he has left behind is for Vikram. Vikram the winner of the national award is one of the few actors who has struck a perfect balance between arty films and pure masala ones
Born in Parmakudi village of Tamilnadu, Vikram known to his friends as Kenny studied in Loyola College for PGDM at the Liba Institute. His father Vinod was an actor who appeared in many films including Malayoor Mammutiyan.VikramÂs schooling was in Mount Fort school in Yercaud. VikramÂs Tamil film career in the beginning shows that the big names in direction has worked with him. Sridhar the legendary director cast him as hero in Thandhu Vitten Ennai, SPM directed him in Kaval Geetham, Vikraman directed him in Puthiya Mannargal and cinematographer PC SriramÂs Meera, ParthipanÂs Housefull are his early films. The first ABCL corp film in Tamil was Ullasam with Vikram and Ajith. To keep the kitchen fire burning he lent his voice for films and did yes boss roles in Malayalam films.
It was with Sethu that Vikram shot to prominence. Contrary to popular belief Vikram did not soon after deliver hit after hit. His next was Vinnkum Mannukum which was a flop. Dhil was the first to give him a breather. Produced at a medium budget the film was a hit and trade started looking at the actor in seriousness. Next was Kaasi critically acclaimed but not a big hit but GeminiÂs resounding success put him in the Superstar bracket. Next two films King and Samurai were duds. Again an action film Dhool took him back to reckoning while Kadhal Sadugudu pulled him down. The release of Swamy saw him reach new frontiers in box office collections. Everybody was sure that Pithamaghan the offbeat film in which Vikram played an undertaker would not click in a State where fan worship was at the highest. Surprisingly the film did commercially well . Vikram stole the show with his excellent performance. Box office wise the actor is at a low ebb because his previous release Arul struggled to reach the 100th day mark.
Once again the actor is experimenting with a different role in Anniyan directed by Shankar. Black is his favorite color and if you give him pazhya sadham (porridge) and Karuvattu kozhambu (dry fish curry) then you can reach his heart. His favorite dress is not designer wear but a dirty jeans, T shirt and Hawaii chappals. Robert de Niro and Rajnikant are his idols and any girl who wants to hook him should be like Julia Roberts. Sandra Bullock or Mery Streep. He plays Micheal Bolton songs in his car stereo and hums Can I touch you there sung by Keeny Loggins. Why can't we come up with composers like Yanni asks Vikram. Wishing Vikram more glories in the coming years.