The experience of working with legends Kamal and Rajini: Actor ‘Asuran’ JK!
Actor ‘Asuran’ JK, who has once again garnered attention through the web series Lingam.
“I consider the experience of working with two legends—Kamal and Rajini—a great privilege.”
— Actor ‘Asuran’ JK.
Some faces in films leave a lasting impression on the mind even without the audience knowing the actor’s name; their performances are so compelling that fans go looking for the person behind the face. ‘Asuran’ JK is one such distinctive face. His real name is Jayakrishna. From Vetri Maaran’s Asuran to films like Saani Kaayidham, Captain Miller, Lal Salaam, Vaa Vaathiyar, Kara, Karuppu, and Blast, right up to the recently released web series Lingam, he has captivated audiences with his natural acting style. He entered the film industry with dreams of becoming a director—having directed the film Vanmam starring Vijay Sethupathi—before eventually becoming an actor himself.
When speaking about his journey into acting, he began by recounting his background story. My hometown is Thingal Nagar village near Kanyakumari. I came to Chennai in the 1980s with the dream of becoming a film director. I first joined as an assistant director on the film Indru Nee Naalai Naan, directed by Major Sundararajan. Later, he directed Andha Oru Nimidam; I worked on that film, which starred Kamal Sir, and through it, I developed a good rapport with him. Since that film did not perform well, Major stopped directing movies. Given my acquaintance with Kamal Sir, I asked him for an opportunity. Work on the film Vikram had just begun at the time, and I aspired to join as an assistant director. Kamal Sir told me, “Director Rajasekar already has plenty of assistant directors; why don’t you come and join my company, Raaj Kamal Films?” So, I joined Raaj Kamal Films and worked there as a company assistant director.
I knew a little English. Since Mumbai stars like Dimple Kapadia and Amjad Khan were acting in the film, it was easy for me to communicate with them while working.
During the shoot, I handled administrative responsibilities and production-related tasks, much like a production manager. At the same time, I also performed the duties of an assistant director. The opportunity Kamal Sir gave me helped me understand the various layers of filmmaking; it served as a comprehensive lesson in film production. During that time, I met and befriended Kalaimani, who participated in story discussions with Kamal Sir, so I began working with him. I wanted to work with the directors to whom Kalaimani provided stories, as well as with certain directors who had risen to fame after working with Bharathiraja. That is how I came to work under Manobala on the film En Purushan Thaan Enakku Mattumthaan, for which Kalaimani wrote the story.
I joined Kalaimani and worked on the film Manitha Jaathi, which he directed… I understand.
That didn’t work out well. He didn’t direct any further films after that.
Subsequently, through Kalaimani, I worked with director R.K. Selvamani on the films Sembaruthi and Makkal Aatchi. While I continued working as an assistant director, I was simultaneously on a quest to become a director myself.
I persisted in my efforts. Opportunities would often arise but then slip away; even when people liked the story I pitched, last-minute hurdles would cause things to fall through. This pattern of last-minute setbacks continued for a while. Amidst this, during the final stages of the film Manmadhan, I narrated a story to Simbu. He liked it very much but suggested we revisit it later, asking me to join the Manmadhan team instead. I subsequently worked on the film Vallavan. We met frequently, yet for some reason, my own directorial venture didn’t materialize.
Later, I worked on the film 1977, starring Sarathkumar, Farjana, and Namitha Kapoor. Its director was G.N. Dinesh Kumar—a very talented individual.
Finally, in 2014, I began directing the film Vanmam, with Vijay Sethupathi as the lead. Until then, he had mostly played character roles or unique, offbeat parts; Vanmam was the first time I presented him as a full-fledged action hero. Unfortunately, it was released at the wrong time—ten days after Diwali, when people were short on cash. Consequently, the film didn’t perform well commercially, though those who watched it appreciated it.
Even though many praised the film, success is paramount in cinema, so I faced another hiatus. Years after my film’s release, during the event for the movie Rekka, its director Rathina Shiva mentioned that it was only after watching Vanmam that he realized how to [present] Vijay Sethupathi as an action hero… He spoke about gaining the confidence and courage to approach things. Although the film Vanmam did not have a significant theatrical run, it was a success on Amazon Prime and continues to be watched to this day.
In this situation, what to do…
I didn’t know what to do. Having once directed a film, I couldn’t go back to working as an assistant director for anyone; there is a limit to how much one can humble oneself. I was in a difficult predicament. I was over fifty, and the physical strain and mental stress were taking a toll. My hair had turned grey. When I dyed my hair, I dyed my moustache as well, but it caused an allergic reaction. Applying medication would heal it temporarily, but the sores would keep returning, so I decided to shave off my moustache. At first, seeing my own face felt strange—even a bit frightening—at times. However, others remarked that my face looked distinctive. Some even suggested I try acting in movies. With so many people saying this, I began to consider it. But, of course, I needed a proper introduction to get started.
But whom could I ask? I hesitated, wondering how to approach someone for an acting opportunity after having been a director myself. Eventually, I confided in my friend and well-wisher, the renowned film editor V.T. Vijayan, about my desire to act and asked if he could introduce me to director Vetrimaaran. He dismissed it as a simple matter and spoke to Vetrimaaran. I had spoken to Vijayan one morning, and true to his recommendation, I visited Vetrimaaran’s office the very next day. It was surprising that a meeting could be arranged so quickly after our initial conversation. Upon seeing me, they decided to conduct an audition.
They didn’t give me specific instructions like “do this” or “do that” during the audition. Instead, the director asked me to simply be myself. They told me to use whatever facial expressions I felt were appropriate and to act naturally; so, that is exactly what I did. Vetri Maaran Sir obtained my phone number from his assistant director and shared his own number with me. Usually, filmmakers only collect the numbers of aspiring actors without sharing their own; so, I took this as a positive sign.
Sometime later, while I was back in my hometown of Nagercoil, I was worshipping at the temple of my family deity, Madasamy.
That was when I received a call from the Asuran film unit. They asked if I was in Chennai and suggested booking a ticket for me to travel to Kovilpatti immediately. I told them I was in Kanyakumari—which is close to Kovilpatti—and that I would make my way there on my own.
That is how I joined the shoot and acted in the film. I played the role of Madasamy—the father of the character Kariyan (played by Director Tamil).
Much like my own life, the first scene was shot in a dark, desolate forest. It mirrored my feeling that life is often like being blindfolded and left in the wilderness. My performance in that scene earned me acclaim. I felt it marked a new dawn in my life. I was anxious about how my acting would be perceived, so I asked the assistant director for feedback. When he told me that Vetri Maaran Sir had said my performance was perfectly balanced—advising them not to over-direct me and risk spoiling it—I felt as though I had won an award.
After that, film offers began to trickle in. To date, I have completed 25 films, ranging from small to big productions. My work extends to the recently released web series Lingam, where my character is garnering widespread attention.
People often look at me and ask if I am a Malayalam actor; they say I have the look of one. They note that Malayalam actors are known for their natural acting style, and they tell me that I, too, possess that same natural quality. That alone gives me great happiness. I am currently journeying along this new path. I am acting in two new films right now—movies that feature major stars.
I am not a lead actor. Given my age and appearance, I am suited for character roles. My observations and influences are aligned with that direction. In this regard, I have long admired a range of character actors from the past—starting with S.V. Ranga Rao and including M.R. Radha and V.K. Ramasamy. Their influence might be present in my acting; I would say it is not a direct imitation, but rather an underlying impact. My journey continues on this new path.
I consider the experience of working with two legends—Kamal Sir and Rajini Sir—to be a great privilege in my life.
When I returned to ask Kamal Sir for an opportunity after having previously left his fold, I apologized for having walked away against his advice. He understood, forgave me, and welcomed me back; he is a man of such magnanimity. That is how I came to join the film Marudhanayagam. Work on it progressed for a while, but the project did not move forward after that.
I appeared alongside Rajini Sir throughout the film Lal Salaam. Even when meeting him after a long time, the way he affectionately inquires about my well-being “It amazes me. I believe it is that very quality that has propelled him to such great heights.
Working with two such stalwarts gave me many unforgettable experiences—ones I will cherish forever. Not everyone gets such an opportunity.
Life conceals not only the mysteries of the moments that follow but also the answers to them. Life keeps tying knots, yet it also holds the means to untie them. That is how I view my life. How can I not reflect on the fact that the character I played in the film Asuran—a role that came my way by chance—was named ‘Madasamy,’ just like the deity I had worshipped at the Madasamy temple? How can I not marvel at the strange and wonderful nature of life?
Now, my journey continues on a new path as an actor.”
So said actor ‘Asuran’ JK.
