In a candid reflection on his extensive career spanning over two decades, acclaimed actor Kishore opened up about the evolution of his roles, industry trends, and the creative challenges posed by modern streaming platforms. The conversation covered his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a recognized face in Tamil cinema and beyond, highlighting a career built on timing and opportunity rather than just raw talent.
Two Decades of Luck and Timing
Kishore, with more than 20 years in the film industry, attributes his longevity to fortunate timing and the right opportunities. He humbly contrasts himself with the pool of talented performers today, stating he doesn't consider himself exceptionally gifted. "I came at the right time and got the right opportunities," he admits, noting that surviving this long is due to the specific characters he has portrayed.
His perspective is deeply influenced by witnessing immensely skilled actors struggle to secure substantial roles. This observation has made him grateful for his own path. "I feel I've been lucky, and that's why I don't long for more," Kishore reflects, adding that even after two decades, he continues to receive compelling work offers.
Directorial Debut on Hold and Role Fatigue
The actor also revealed that his directorial debut, an experimental political satire, has been in the works for three years and is approximately 75% complete. He cites a lack of consistent motivation and tempting acting offers as reasons for the delay. "Whenever I decided to resume shooting, I got a good role to act in," he explains.
Currently, Kishore is exploring a different avatar in the film Mellisai, directed by Dhirav, where he plays a physical education teacher—a stark departure from the intense police officers he is famous for in movies like Viduthalai and Vada Chennai. He describes his new character as an ordinary man constrained by unfulfilled dreams and societal responsibilities.
However, cop roles aren't entirely in his rearview mirror. He will appear as a police officer again in an untitled thriller and in Inspector Rishi Season 2. Yet, he openly confesses, "After doing so many cop roles, I'm tired." He is also part of the film Saraswathi, directed by Varalaxmi Sarathkumar.
On Script-Driven Variation and Pan-India Trends
Kishore firmly believes that differentiation in roles must originate from the writing desk, not from an actor's bag of tricks. "I don't try to make my roles different. The difference has to come from the script," he asserts. For him, a fundamentally distinct character on paper is what prompts a varied performance.
Commenting on the increasing crossover of South Indian actors into Bollywood projects, Kishore views it as a natural financial and cultural shift. He explains that Hindi filmmakers are tapping into Southern talent to expand their viewer base. "Now, there's a need to cater to a national audience," he states, highlighting the move towards pan-Indian cinema.
The Business Realities of OTT Platforms
While acknowledging the vast reach provided by Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming services, Kishore points out their corporate and business-oriented nature, which can stifle creativity. "OTT is very much a business. Original OTT productions are very corporate in structure," he observes.
He specifically criticizes the lengthy approval processes, which can kill creative momentum. "Getting a project greenlit takes a very long time," he says, revealing that he knows of major directors who have invested one to two years developing scripts only to have the projects shelved. "That's dangerous," he warns, underscoring the potential harm such delays cause to artistic inspiration and output.
