Vivek
is a trail-blazer in the sense that he brought
the curiosity factor back into film comedy. This
does not mean that his immediate predecessors
were not good.
They indeed were. But, there
was a certain element of predictability setting
in. Vivek
removed this and brought freshness in every
portrayal.
He
picked up his ropes under the disciplined training
of K. Balachander.
Manathil urudhi vendum and Pudhupudhu arthangal
marked his early appearances. KB’s
style of realistic comedy with simple, everyday
happenings was imbibed by Vivek.
He also got his social commitment and civic
consciousness working under the veteran. It
also became the cornerstone of his attempts.
He poked fun at the common hypocrisies and negative
traits in personality in ordinary folks. He
has claimed that N.S. Krishnan who sought to
bring social reform through his performances
was his role model.
Hence,
in most of his characters one can feel this impatience
with socially degrading values. Although a section
of political organizations has accused him of
being opportunistic, he has stood his ground and
is a hit with the audience. Another great highlight
of his comedy is the use of language, yet another
lesson from KB. He is prolific and uses the common
lingo.
Although
many of his films are hits, most notable ones
are Run, Rojakkoottam, Thenkasippattanam, Sami,
Choclet and Tirumala. He targets the youth audience
and hence mostly works with the younger stars.
He has said in an interview that he wants to attract
the youth of the country because only they can
bring the desired social changes so that our society
is free from evils like religious bigotry, social
discrimination and superstitions. Although branded
an atheist, he has always said that he believed
in human values being the manifestation of God.
