“Now I’m not at an age where I can shout with full energy and go ‘Yahoo!’ I am happy, and I have complete faith in God. My God knows what to give me and what not to give me. Yes, I will have to keep working hard. Some time ago, I found out that I was going to receive a National Award. So I thought, ‘Okay, this is true.’ Then I said, ‘Alright.’ Some journalists even asked me how I was reacting so calmly. But just think, so many people love me. I am being awarded for the movie ‘Parking’,” says MS Bhaskar, a well-known artist in the Tamil film industry.
MS Bhaskar received the Best Supporting Actor award at the 71st National Film Awards for his work in the movie Parking, which has been widely appreciated. During the ceremony at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, Webdunia attended the full event.
We also got a chance to interact with him. MS Bhaskar has won several awards in the Tamil film industry, including the State Award for Best Supporting Actor. He expressed immense happiness that he received this award from the hands of the then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, also called Kalaignar, whom he deeply admires.
Continuing the conversation with Webdunia, and speaking to journalist Runa Ashish, who was a jury member for the 71st National Awards, he said, “Yes, when you receive a National Award, it gives you a deep sense of satisfaction. But here, I want to say that more than me, it is my wife’s wish. She prayed to God every day that I should get a National Award for this film. And I used to laugh and tell her, ‘Don’t think so much. Don’t set your hopes too high. If this award is meant to come to me, it will reach me.’”
MS Bhaskar further told Webdunia, “I really enjoy driving. Like a passion, I love just driving. Many times my friends suggest traveling 700–800 kilometers, then ending the drive with a small drink in the evening. But I’m not an alcoholic, I’m a workaholic. When I drive, I forget all my troubles — it works like healing for me. Even while working on Parking, I didn’t feel that Eshwar or I was the hero of the film; the hero is the story itself. It’s the story that drives the film forward. Now think, parking is such a significant problem. Whenever we go shopping, somewhere we get help for parking. You can’t take your car inside the shop, so parking is an issue everyone can relate to.”
About Acting
“I don’t think I’m a very great actor. I keep observing people, try to understand their mannerisms. As soon as the camera turns on, I am an actor. Otherwise, when the camera is off, I’m just an ordinary person. Whether you, a director, or I, we are all working to earn a living. While making this film, I felt that it would be a good movie, but I never imagined it would become such a big movie that it reaches even the President and wins an award. Receiving the award is wonderful. If I don’t get it, I understand that I need to work harder to become a better actor.”
I was shooting for one of my films when Kamal Anna (Kamal Haasan) called me and asked, “What’s going on?” I replied, “Shooting, Anna.”
He then asked, “And what else?”
I said, “Yes, I received the award.”
Kamal Anna asked again, “Why did you get it?”
I replied, “I don’t know, Anna, I couldn’t understand.”
Then he said, “Isn’t it a bit late?”
I replied, “No, Anna, earlier I didn’t get it — now I have. Even if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have thought much about it. I would have continued living my life peacefully, just as I always do.”
Who are the two people you would like to thank at this moment?
“First, I would tell my father about this news. Second, I would tell my Shivaji Appa, whom I call Appa. I am a huge devotee of his. I start my day listening to his songs or watching scenes from his films. Immediately after receiving the award, when I return home, I will go to his home and place my award in front of his photo. I love him deeply, respect him immensely. His son, Prabhu Anna, would ask me, ‘Tell me, who is Shivaji Ganesan’s son?’ I would say, ‘Not you, it’s me.’ He loves me a lot, but along with him, I want to thank my son Ram Kumar, who made this film. Ram Kumar directed this film. I also want to thank the producers who made this movie. I thank the committee that selected it for the National Award. I also thank you for taking my interview. And the biggest thanks goes to our President, Draupadi Murmu, who personally handed me this award.”
