Exclusive Interview of Jagapathi Babu to Telugu360 By T S Sudhir

Ask anyone in the south Indian film industry to name the most sought-after actor today and without a doubt, it will be Jagapathi Babu. Making what many would think was a rather smooth transition from hero roles to those of a villain or a supporting actor in a meaty role, Jagapathi Babu has refined `bad man’ in movies south of the Vindhyas. With the classic salt and pepper hair and beard look, Jagapathi Babu has starred in movies in all four languages – Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam – acting with Rajinikanth, Balakrishna, Mohanlal, Vijay and Mahesh Babu, among others in the last three years.

In this exclusive interview to T S Sudhir interspersed with a lot of laughter, Jagapathi Babu is at his articulate and candid best as he talks about the decision to stop playing the hero, the reaction of his female fans and why he feels he is in a very good space.

You are shooting in Chennai with Vijay for his yet to be titled film. Are you playing the bad man?

Jagapathi Babu : Yes, but I am not a bad man. (laughs)

It is quite amazing how you have pushed the boundaries, doing movies in all south Indian languages now in this new avatar.

Jagapathi Babu : It is a very good space to be in. I feel I am at the peak. I never thought I will be here. I am literally getting away with murder. (laughs)

So you feel you have not lost any of your huge female fan following by playing the villain?

Jagapathi Babu : I must admit I was scared of that. The thought did cross my mind before I took the plunge. But now I find the reverse is happening. People seem to like bad people (laughs) In fact, I would say the fan following has increased. The younger crowd likes this look.

(Laughs) So the mothers liked the hero Jagapathi Babu and their daughters are now liking the villain Jagapathi Babu?

Jagapathi Babu : It is a bigger bank.

So when and how did the thought of making the switch from a hero to a supporting actor and villain come?

Jagapathi Babu : From the beginning of my career, I have liked to experiment. I bend rules, not break them. There is nothing like an image. I also look at myself as an actor, not a star. Even during the period when I was doing conventional hero roles and those films of mine were doing well, I have done cameo roles. I was warned then that my fans will commit suicide if I do such roles. But I still did.

So when was the decision taken?

Jagapathi Babu : I would say about three years before `Legend’. I knew my market as a leading man was down. As a hero, I had no market. I did not see a point in doing stupid films. Things were so bad that I went bankrupt and had to sell my home and shift into an apartment. It was traumatic being jobless. Then I thought about it practically. As I said, playing a bad man does not make me a bad man. In fact, I would say I am much more sought after now.

You also changed the way you look. Your beard adds a lot of character. The greying salt and pepper look is quite in. What kind of response have you got for this look?

Jagapathi Babu : Yes. The salt and pepper look worked. It was a bold decision. Frankly, I was unsure. When I was jobless, I did a photoshoot. And director Boyapati Srinu saw it and that is how `Legend’ happened.

How do you rate yourself as a villain? Will you describe yourself as menacing?

Jagapathi Babu : Good. (Laughs) And I can be menacing. I can go all the way. In `Legend’, I killed the hero. I have not done any rapes yet though rapes are outdated.

And politically incorrect too.

Jagapathi Babu : Yes. I am the kind who will mould myself into any character. I am the character. I am a director’s actor. For instance, when I was approached for Steven Spielberg’s Disney film `The Big Friendly Giant (BFG)’, where I have dubbed for the character in the Telugu version, I just got into the character.

Earlier people had a particular impression about the villain. That he has to fat and ugly with a potbelly. But look at Hollywood, they have handsome bad guys. I wanted to break that typecast image of a villain.

You started off with Balakrishna in `Legend’, then played the villain in Rajinikanth’s `Lingaa’ and now this movie with Vijay. You are quite easily now south India’s favorite villain. In addition to that, you are also playing strong roles as a supporting actor like `Srimanthudu’ with Mahesh Babu and `Nannaku Prematho’ with NTR.

Jagapathi Babu : I think it is my face. It can be a brother or a father. For instance, for Mohanlal’s `Puli Murugan’ that I am doing now in Malayalam, they spotted me as an artist. They did not know me. May be I am talking over confidently. But yes, I am confident.

You are speaking candidly and it is refreshing to hear. Is there a difference in how you prepare for a role now, different from how you used to approach a leading man’s role earlier.

Jagapathi Babu : No, I don’t. I, in fact, do not even listen to the entire story. I just listen to one line about the story and my role. I trust the director, he is the captain. Only when I reach the shooting spot, I hear the story. If the director has chosen me for a particular role, it is his problem to take it to the next level.

Was that also the case when you signed on the dotted line for a `Lingaa’ or a `Srimanthudu’?

Jagapathi Babu : No, `Lingaa’ was different. How can I say no to a film starring Rajini Sir. It was a different decision. `Srimanthudu’ had Mahesh Babu in the lead role. Playing his father was a challenge which I wanted to take.

Is Chiranjeevi’s 150th film starring Jagapathi Babu?

Jagapathi Babu : Nothing as of now.

I believe you have some 17 films lined up now so it is quite a busy time.

Jagapathi Babu : About 4 to 5 movies I have not taken an advance so they are not technically signed. Yes, if I sign them too, that would make it 17 films. The interesting part is that all of them are in different languages.

One hundred fifteen films plus in all South Indian languages put together. Would it be right to say that Jagapathi Babu is right now at the top of his game?

Jagapathi Babu : I am. I feel great about the space I am in.

You have also started a talent portal. What is the idea?

Jagapathi Babu : Clickcinecart is a talent portal to give back to the industry. I struggled despite having a veteran producer at home as my father. I have only tried to open gates, get more talent into the movie making industry. Let there be more supply than demand. The producer will be happier. I know how it feels.

Jagapathi Babu, it was a pleasure speaking to you. It is rare to find someone so brutally honest about his life and career. My compliments.

Jagapathi Babu : Thankyou. And incidentally, `Legend’ is running for the last 1000 days at a theatre.