Mumbai:
National Award winning actor Dhanush, who has become a houshold name post the super success of Kolaveri has been asked to put on weight for his first Bollywood film Raanjhanaa.
Tamil actor, who is in Varanasi, says he is happy to pile on the pounds as asked by director Aanand Rai. The director wants Dhanush to put on at least eight kilos before shooting begins.
"I don't want him to look fat. I want him to look fit for a Brahmin boy from Varanasi, who eats puris made of ghee for breakfast everyday. He should have a slight hint of a paunch," said Rai.
Rai has rented a modest apartment in Varanasi, where Dhanush will spend three months to acclamatise himself to the traditions and customs of the place. He will also be left to the mercy of a Maharaj.
"The local maharaj (cook) will make the food that will help Dhanush get into character," Rai added.
Dhanush, who is known to go to great lengths to prepare for his Tamil film roles, will mingle with pilgrims and pedestrians in the holy pilgrimage city for Hindus.
"I want Dhanush to blend into the multi-cultural fabric of Varanasi," said Rai.
Secret cameras would film the actor as he mingles with people in Varanasi, and these scenes will be incorporated in the film.
Meanwhile, Dhanush is busy learning Hindi since he only knows a few Hindi words.
"I intend to follow my director's instructions blindly. Beyond that, I don't really need to bother about the language. I just need to be natural on screen," said Dhanush. However, the actor has asked friend Abhishek Bachchan to tutor him on basic grammatical rules. The two converse in Hindi whenever they interact.
"I could easily turn the hero's character in Raanjhanaa into a Tamil Brahmin in Varanasi. But why should I? I am going the whole hog with Dhanush. He has lengthy complicated lines of dialogue and I'm confident he will manage," said Rai.
Tamil actor, who is in Varanasi, says he is happy to pile on the pounds as asked by director Aanand Rai. The director wants Dhanush to put on at least eight kilos before shooting begins.
"I don't want him to look fat. I want him to look fit for a Brahmin boy from Varanasi, who eats puris made of ghee for breakfast everyday. He should have a slight hint of a paunch," said Rai.
Rai has rented a modest apartment in Varanasi, where Dhanush will spend three months to acclamatise himself to the traditions and customs of the place. He will also be left to the mercy of a Maharaj.
"The local maharaj (cook) will make the food that will help Dhanush get into character," Rai added.
Dhanush, who is known to go to great lengths to prepare for his Tamil film roles, will mingle with pilgrims and pedestrians in the holy pilgrimage city for Hindus.
"I want Dhanush to blend into the multi-cultural fabric of Varanasi," said Rai.
Secret cameras would film the actor as he mingles with people in Varanasi, and these scenes will be incorporated in the film.
Meanwhile, Dhanush is busy learning Hindi since he only knows a few Hindi words.
"I intend to follow my director's instructions blindly. Beyond that, I don't really need to bother about the language. I just need to be natural on screen," said Dhanush. However, the actor has asked friend Abhishek Bachchan to tutor him on basic grammatical rules. The two converse in Hindi whenever they interact.
"I could easily turn the hero's character in Raanjhanaa into a Tamil Brahmin in Varanasi. But why should I? I am going the whole hog with Dhanush. He has lengthy complicated lines of dialogue and I'm confident he will manage," said Rai.
