South-Indian star Mohan Lal trailer upsets fans

The release of the ‘Tezz’ trailer had an unexpected fallout: fans of southern superstar, four-time National Award winner Mohanlal took to micro blogging sites to express their displeasure over their perceived unequal treatment of the star in the film’s trailer.

We caught up with the star himself to get his views on the matter. Mohanlal explains: “For us as actors working in a film whether it be Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, or Hindi is the same. The script needs to be captivating enough for me to agree to do a film. But we have to present films differently to different regional audiences. For instance, with Rajnikant his audiences look forward to certain stuff and his films have to deliver that. Similarly, films catering to audiences in a particular state need to satisfy certain expectations.”

Such expectations, he believes, are what led to his fans’ ire. “Audiences belonging to different states like their heroes in a certain way and they look forward to that presentation. I am sure once ‘Tezz’ releases my fans will be content with my performance and the character I have played.”

He refuses to divulge details of his role though. “I will be seen in a cameo,” is all he will say.

We indulge our cheeky selves and ask if he had to audition for his role in ‘Tezz’. “I have been in the industry for so many years that by now people have enough confidence in me so I don’t have to audition. Also, I have been working with Priyadarshan for a long time now,” an unflappable Mohanlal says.

He adds, “I have worked with Ram Gopal Verma and Priyan, maybe because belonging to the South they know me. It would not be farfetched to say my southern connections did help me. When I was called by Ramu for ‘Company’ I did ask him, ‘why me?’ He then told me that he had liked my performances in a Malayalam film.”

What about doing films with other Bollywood directors? He says, “I am an actor and if I get to work with directors from Bollywood why would I refuse. I am busy with a few films down South but if I am approached I would definitely like to be a part of any film here.”

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