Abhi-Ash laud Ratnam,say he knew their potential

Abhishek said that the filmmaker was the only one in the industry who knew his true potential as an actor. “I think Mani is the only one who knows my true talent. He knows it better than I know myself. He shows me what I am capable of. After I did Yuva,I could not believe it was me on the screen doing a character like Lallan. Same goes with Guru.”

Meanwhile,Aishwariya called Ratnam her reason for being in the industry. The 36 year old actor had started her film career with Iruva,a film by the director. “After my Miss World win I wasn’t sure which career path should I choose. I was planning to complete my studies in architecture. But then one fine day I was told that Mani Ratnam would like to discuss a role with me and that was it. It was some God send message.”

“I could not believe that Mani Ratnam wanted to work with me. He is an institution in himself and his cinema speaks volumes”,she added.

Abhishek,who had joined the press interview through a press conference in Mumbai,claimed that he had chosen to do Raavan only because of the director.”If any other filmmaker would have come to me with ascript like ‘Raavan’ I would have said no because I know that I am not capable to do a character like Beera but it is Mani who always shows such confidence in my talent which is unbelievable.”

Meanwhile,Ratnam paid back in compliment,saying the role of Beera in his upcoming film,was meant for Abhishek only. “Half of my work is done after I decide my star cast. Everytime I come with Abhishek it is about doing something different which he has not done before. It is challenging for both me and him and we always start from the scratch when we start something new.”

Giving an instance of this,Ratnam added,”.For Beera I was so worried because Abhishek is so proper. Beera is this badly behaved character and I had to ask Abhishek to learn bad words and be abusive all the time… just let go to get right.”

Aishwariya also clarified that her character in Raavan was not a modern day Sita. “I think all the stories can be drawn parallel to our epics because at the end it is all about inter-personal relationship. My character Ragini is Mani’s perception of this strong willed woman abducted by Beera. And the story is about the dynamics between the three characters,” she said.

Her husband added,”Raavan is about who is right and who is wrong and above all who decides about it. I think audience will take back is this question. Raavan is a story about this villain from his perspective but then who are we to judge that he is actually a villain.”

The film,co-produced by Reliance BIG Pictures and Madras Talkies,is slated to hit the screens June 18.