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        Diminutive Marthandan is an old hand in the movie and television industry. His brush with fame was in Chinna Thambi where he donned the role of a mentally retarded person with ridiculous ease. He did not waste any time to get the character's name - does that matter he smiles with all innocence.

        Considered a bits and pieces man in the world of films, Marthandan said that one movie was to change his fortune. Sensing a talent material at near quarters, illustrious director

        K Balachander outlined a role keeping Marthandan in mind.

        Not many were aware of the dapper man's penchant for art, visualising a happening and penciling it to the delight of the person concerned. A paying profession he was to realise when profitable words did rounds of his proficient ways.

        'That kept me going in an era when doing two films back-to-back made one sit back and take stock of the talent. Though comedy is my forte, more often than not ended landing in roles totally out of sync. Right from director Vasu to Rajasekhar, they kept reminding me to make good use of the advantage of my small build. There were occasions to play the villain's sidekick but inadvertently

        I added a comical note to it. But there were no complaints from the directors, in their abilities to see the humour coating and the relief factor.'

        Coming under K Balachander's fold a second time - that was for the television serial Premi - Marthandan's cameo act getting the all-important nod of the maestro was a big moment.

        Still in the act of playing his part in movies - Thottal Poo Malarum is nearing completion while in Pasupathy he is in the familiar area of donning an artist character.

        A regular in many star award nites, Marthandan is a good substitute on the days when mimicry artistes play truant. He attributes that to his experience in stage dating back to his school days and in some amateur plays.

        'Those were the days when you donned different get-up just for the sheer joy of it. Unlike the present era, an artiste has to be versatile to chip into varied characters. There was no pressure factor attached to that. On the contrary, one relished the openings and made best use of the godsend opportunity.'

        Not inclined to call it as an idiot box, Marthandan saw the small screen as an added advantage for artistes of his ilk. 'You get to play characters not only belying your age but with good footage to hold audience attention. I particularly enjoyed the experience in serials like Chithi and Marmadesam.

        Life goes on for the likes of Marthandan. Offers keep coming, good enough to keep him going. No pretensions there when he deemed the 25-plus years experience in the field as a well slogged one.