Negative roles have given me good recognition: Gautham Kurup

Actor Gautham Kurup, popular for playing a dreaded terrorist in "Thuppakki", doesn't mind playing negative roles because he feels they have won him recognition and have kept him busy with film offers.

"After my debut film 'Kandahar' in 2010, I was mostly offered negative roles. But I didn't mind because I wanted to show audiences what I can do as an actor. I also didn't mind playing negative roles because they kept the film offers flowing," Gautham told IANS.

"I wanted to be an actor way back in my teens. But it didn't happen for many years and I worked as a line producer. I've crossed my 40s now. I'm finally facing the camera in roles that suit my age. I don't see why I should have a problem with that," he said.

Gautham currently has a film each in Tamil and Malayalam ready for release.

"In Malayalam, I have 'Picket 43'. I play a negative character in that and it's my second film with director Major Ravi, who gave me my first acting break. I play a character with grey shades in Tamil film 'Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe'. These are two exciting projects I'm looking forward to," Gautham said.

"Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe" is directed by Lakshmy Ramakrishnan. It's Gautham's second film with a female director after Tamil thriller "Puthiya Thiruppangal", which was helmed by Sharada Ramanathan.

Gautham said he didn't find any difference in being directed by women.

"I didn't find any startling difference because whether it's a male or female director, I knew I had to try and fulfil their expectations from me. With Lakshmy, she knew what she wanted from me and I delivered exactly that," he said.

Gautham has kept himself open to all kinds of roles.

"I'm in talks to sign a new Tamil film and I'm hoping to do a positive role in that. I'm also waiting for my Bollywood debut in which I'll again be doing a negative part. I have kept myself open to all types of roles keeping in mind my age," he said.

"If someone offers me the role of a hero's brother, I'm open to play that as well. But I think I'm more interested in playing negative roles because audiences have accepted me in that," he said.

In Hindi, Gautham is set to start working on "No Entry 2" and Shah Rukh Khan's "Raees" with Rahul Dholakia.