Bollywood for newcomers, says Mohanlal

Mumbai: A lot of southern Indian actors may be making their way to Bollywood but veteran actor Mohanlal is happy doing Hindi films only once in a while and says he agrees to only "irresistible" roles.

The actor, who has dedicated over three decades to the Malayalam film industry, made his Bollywood debut with Ram Gopal Varma`s `Company` in 2002. He was later seen in Varma`s `Aag` and will now be seen in a cameo in Priyadarshan`s `Tezz`. Despite many offers, Mohanlal wanted to be selective and to choose good roles. " `Company` was an irresistible role for me. A couple of (Bollywood) scripts came to me after that, but I didn`t find anything interesting. For an actor to get a good role is a blessing," Mohanlal told reporters in an interaction. While many young southern actors like Rana Daggubati, Ram Charan Teja, Dhanush and Siddharth are making a mark in Bollywood, Mohanlal is content where he is. "I am not a newcomer! I have been in this industry for so long. What should I prove? I am happy with my own language. Now if I get a very irresistible role I will try it. I don`t want to prove anything. "Others from the south who are settling in Bollywood are newcomers. They want to do Hindi films for various factors," the 51-year-old said. He says he agreed to `Tezz` only for his filmmaker friend Priyadarshan, with whom he has done 42 films in the past. " `Company` was enough for me. With this particular film `Tezz`, Priyadarshan is my key factor... not my role or anything," he clarified. Mohanlal says he will be seen as a cop in his cameo in "Tezz". "I am playing a police officer. It`s a small role, but the placement of the role is very critical in the film. This is one of Priyadarshan`s best films. Action, choreography ... everything is brilliant," said the actor. He says Priyadarshan, a Padma Shri awardee, knows how to use or handle every artist. "He has made more than 84 films. He has grown a lot. He is thorough with his job. His way of making a film, his way of taking a song and choreographing it is entirely different," Mohanlal said. "Most of the actors are comfortable doing Priyadarshan`s film. He knows how to use or handle an artist. He is one of the greatest directors I know and of course he is my friend," he added. `Tezz` will release April 27. Produced by Ratan Jain, the action drama features Ajay Devgn, Kangna Ranaut, Anil Kapoor and Sameera Reddy in key roles. IANS