He’s fun, full of energy and quite a powerhouse of talent. Meet Adith Eswaran – an actor who isn’t scared to try different stuff out. Been around for a decade now, Adith has done it all – theatre, short films, web series and films. Currently gearing up for his next two releases, in a tete-a-tete with him, we got to know about him, his views and acting, business, and more…
Text: Anahita Ahuja
What attracted you to choose acting as a career?
You could actually ask – “What did not attract me to become an actor?” The name, fame, glamour – everything! But it was mostly the high I got when the whole auditorium applauded when I used to do theatre.
What has been your greatest accomplishment as an actor?
For a typical Indian, middle class boy like me, becoming actor and sustaining it as a career itself is the greatest accomplishment of my life. But otherwise as an actor I don’t thing I haven’t even scaled the first step of the distance I want to soar.
Can you tell us what you’re working on now?
I have two releases coming up one is ‘Chikato Gadhilo Chithakottudu’ which is a first of it’s kind adult horror comedy – probably the most offensive film of 2019. I also have a release in Tamil, the last film I did ‘Podhu Nalan Karudhi’ which means ‘issued in public interest’. The film is about the merciless loan sharks of a metropolitan and shot very intensely.
Who is your favourite actor, and why?
This is probably the toughest question. I enjoy a lot of artists’ work. In particular I’m a huge fan of Sai Pallavi, I like what she brings to the role especially in a time when there is not much for a female actor to do in a film. The scope she creates in immense. I feel that most girls don’t have to put in so many hours or struggle as an actor, as much as being a star.
Out of all the roles you have played in the past, which was your favourite?
Every role I do is really close to my heart but the public favourite is also mine. I would say that Niranjan from PSV Garudavega is the most versatile role I’ve done so far and it got me the most recognition ever. I had to play a geek and do all the stunts clumsily and had to run and jump with glasses on also the role had a lot of comedy which was good variation from the action sequences in the film.
Do you think honesty is always the best policy, in the industry and outside?
Yes! Any day. It is tough initially but eventually it is what defines who you are as a person.
How do you like to encourage ideas in others?
I’m always the devil’s advocate, I want to challenge their ideas and make sure there are no loopholes or loose ends. It might sound pessimistic but I’m a realist.
When have you worked with a diverse group of people in the past?
Generally, my films have had extremely diverse people from different parts of the country and at times the world – it is how diverse their ideas and ideologies are, that usually matters. My last film ’24 Kisses’ was the most diverse team I had worked with. Most of the technicians were from different styles of filmmaking, the producers we’re social media marketing corporates, the director was an American, the music director was an Assamese rock band, the editor was from SRFTc Kolkata just to list a few.
Do you think you have progressed in your acting career as you have expected?
Well, I don’t have the Ferrari on my front porch yet! That’s a question I ask myself everyday, I don’t really behave like an actor because expectations are always sky rocketing. Aim for the sky they said. But I’m satisfied that I steer my career on my own terms and scripts which are really different from one another. That way I’m more than satisfied about the versatility of my roles.
Do you let your personal problem affect your professional life?
It is very difficult but I don’t, it’s actually the other way round. My professional life takes a big toll on my personal life. All the traveling and getting into the role etc is very tough to keep up with.
In which area would you like to improve as an actor?
I would really like to work on my PR. I think I don’t promote myself as much as my counterparts do.
What sort of acting roles do you wish to seek in the future?
Historical or scripts from the future. It’s interesting to imagine how people thought or will think and the effect the geographical or historical references that alter the way a character reacts. I really want to do roles that can’t be pulled of by a lot of others, I have this super fascination for post apocalyptic movies.
Can you tell us something that most of the audience doesn’t know?
We shot my biggest film for more than 147 days and then had to can the film as our conversation star passed away. I spent two years on it and did not take up so many other projects, which released and became big successes too. It was a huge speed breaker in my career. I had to start all over again and now I’m where I was before I started filming that project.
Tell me about a time where you had difficulty with a character. What was the role and why was it challenging?
24kisses was a very difficult role. The character was going through a mental melt down and it was really tough getting out the character. People in my real life would notice me behaving or losing my temper which was very unlike me. A lot like the guy in the film.
How do you take care of your health? How often do you work out and what’s your diet like?
I have really spoilt my health last year, I was traveling and working and putting on and losing weight like crazy. I was down for almost a month with Dengue because I was shooting in some really unhygienic conditions. I took the last month of the year off and went on a fitness camp, ate healthy, worked out like mad and slept on time. I have very erratic workout and diet schedules. When I get the chance to workout I go easy on my diet. When I’m traveling and don’t have access to a workout I just cut my food.
Let’s talk about you as a businessman… F45? How did all that happen?
One of the best things in my life was F45. One of my friends asked me to try this new place and that was the moment I believed in love at first sight. It was just an amazing concept unlike most gyms, which just help you pump weights. It was very functional and challenging. At the same time I was looking to move from the ad and camera rental industry to something non filmy and the rest is history.
Do you find it difficult to balance two different professions?
Yes absolutely. Acting takes me all over the place and the business really requires me to be put up as it is a service-oriented industry. If not for my partner I would be quitting either one. It’s a lot of pressure and I’m really bad with operations. I think the trick was to work with the right team and we are blessed with the best team in the world.
Rapid Fire:
If you could be any animal what would it be and why?
The Tiger, it usually hunts alone and trust only itself.
What is your dream job?
Not to have a job and just read and travel.
If you won a million dollars what would you buy?
A movie camera equipment enough to make my own movie.
If you could get yourself anything, what would you get?
Peace!
What is your biggest addiction?
Cinema
If you where a wicked tyrant what country would you rule?
You mean if I was Donald Trump?
What is your least favourite type of music?
None. Music is music, I can enjoy anything.
What was your favourite cartoon show growing up?
SWAT Cats
