Those who work for an image are not actors: Kay Kay Menon

By Devapriyo Bhattacharjee, Mumbai, Sep 30 : Versatile Kay Kay Menon, who will be seen as a villain in forthcoming fantasy film 'Drona', doesn't believe in image and says those who stick to certain kinds of screen image are not good actors.

"I'm playing a negative character in the film because it interested me. I never did that type of role before. But that doesn't mean that I will be doing only negative roles in future," Kay Kay told IANS.

"Indian cinema has evolved recently and today's audience is exposed to international cinema as well. So I think we can't typecast an actor. I think if any actor thinks of creating an image and sticking to it, then he is not an actor. He should only do his job and leave the rest to the audience.

"Image is created by the work one does. For me, it is a job and I keep doing that. So, whatever image comes thereof is not my calling. And I don't think anybody can really change one's image."

Directed by Goldie Behl, "Drona" is a supernatural adventure fantasy. Inspired by comic books, graphic novels and Indian mythology, the film features Kay Kay as an evil magician who wants to achieve immortality but is confronted by the protagonist Drona played by Abhishek Bachchan.

Of late reality films have done well at the box office, but Kay Kay feels that audiences will accept "Drona".

"I think the audience is mature enough. All kinds of films peacefully co-exist. In today's world, there is an audience for all kinds of movies."

Kay Kay has worked with many well-known directors like Sudhir Mishra and Madhur Bhandarkar, but he doesn't have any favourites.

"I absolutely don't analyse my career nor do I foresee it. I normally do films and forget about it. I don't look back or look forward. I just keep on doing things that interest me."

Kay Kay, who does not have any background in films, said being a star-son can get a person instant recognition, but the actual success lies in talent.

"A good launch has a gala opening, which is good for an actor. But, I think, if you are talented and reasonably good enough at your work you can make your way through," Kay Kay said.

Kay Kay debuted with Saeed Mirza's "Naseem" in 1996, but it took him nine years to get recognition. He shot to fame with Sudhir Mishra's 2005 movie "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi". But the actor is not complaining about getting his due so late.

"Recognition has its own destiny and I did not want to fight that. I was just trying to do as good work as possible and I guess one should be recognised for his work," said the actor, who is an MBA.

Kay Kay, who excelled in his academic career, started acting at the age of nine.

"I started acting on stage when I was nine years old. I studied and got the degrees for worldly satisfaction, but acting was my first love. It was a gradual progression into acting from my childhood to the present."