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“VAAIPUGAL AMAYAADHU… NAAMDHAAN AMAITHU KOLLA VENDUM” – SIVA KARTHIKEYAN

Interview Team : Sudharshan

From an aspiring police officer to a prospective superstar, Siva Karthikeyan has come a very long way. As an actor, he is just above two years old, but Maan Karate’s pre-release business has apparently bettered the budget by a huge margin. As his most awaited movie releases today, the ‘century star’ takes time to chat with Sudharshan Giridhar about the project and a bit more.


 

The seed…

 

We don’t fix our preferences when we are in school. Our parents do it for us. Studies and securing more than 80% were my only targets then and I didn’t do pretty much anything other than this. I had never participated in any cultural activities.
 

It all started when I joined engineering. The course was as dry as the Sahara and I desperately wanted to be a part of something fun. That’s when I realized I could mimic people. One day my seniors pushed me onto the stage to perform something and I was intoxicated to the appreciation that followed.

I was intoxicated to the appreciation that followed

 

The reality show that changed my life…

 

I participated in the third season of Kalakkapovadhu Yaaru. My friends in fact forced me to take part during the first season. But I wasn’t really sure of my skills. By the time the third season started, I had finished my B.E and was idle at home, wondering what I was going to do further. I contested in that season because I didn’t have much to do.
 

Everyone knows what followed…

 

Vaaipugal amayaadhu… Naamdhaan amaithu kolla vendum…

 

I never really expected to become an anchor. My life led me there and I grabbed the opportunity. When I got a chance to perform on stage in my college, I made use of it. That led me to participate in a reality show. I used that too. Kalakkapovadhu Yaaru got me an opportunity to be an anchor and I clutched on to it.
 

I saw everything as an opportunity and plunged into it just for the sake of exploring. Just like Thalaivar would say, “Yei anbu Manna! Vaaipugal amayaadhu… Naamdhaan amaithu kolla vendum.”

I saw everything as an opportunity

 

If not films…

I would’ve been in some organization getting bashed by my highly annoyed superiors.
 

When I was in school, I wanted to be a Police Officer just like my dad. I lost that interest when my dad passed away. I took up engineering because most people from my family were engineers. It took me four hard years of engineering to realize that I chose the wrong stream. So I decided to pursue an MBA course, hoping to get a life through business. So that’s my story in a nut shell.
 

I never had a strong ambition. As I told you I got the opportunities at the right time and here I’m.

I wanted to be a Police Officer just like my dad

 

Me, a hero? No… Maybe a hero’s friend…

 

I would be lying if I say I neither had the idea nor the desire to take up cinema. The big screens never failed to amaze me. But I really wasn’t aspiring to be a hero. I wanted to be a hero’s friend or maybe a good comedian.
 

That’s when Pandiraj gave me Marina. At the same time Dhanush offered me a role in 3 after seeing me hosting an award show. But, Pandiraj had asked me not to take up any other project, until I finish Marina. So I told Dhanush about my situation. He spoke with Pandiraj personally and got the go ahead signal with a condition that Marina must release first.
 

While doing 3, Dhanush told that he had underused me big time and asked if I would do a film under his banner. I told him I’m already doing 3, but he asked me if I do a movie as a hero. I was stunned. That’s the story behind Ethir Neechal.

I would be lying if I say I neither had the idea nor the desire to take up cinema.

 

First day as a hero…

Pandiraj sir asked me to come to the shoot the next day I signed as a hero. I didn’t know if I was a good actor or not. In the first week, I just imitated Pandiraj sir. The priority for me was not to make Pandiraj sir regret for making me a hero.
 

It took me some time to realize that I could actually act. 

The priority for me was not to make Pandiraj sir regret for making me a hero.

 

That moment…

 

We should never allow ourselves to believe that we are incapable of something. That has been my Mantra and never have I regretted my decision to take up acting.
 

I almost burst with goosebumps when I saw myself on the big screen. Mind you, these are the screen in which I enjoyed seeing and sometimes worshipped my heroes. 

I almost burst with goosebumps when I saw myself on the big screen. 

 

Maan Karate…

During summer holidays everyone would want to take their family out to a film and just chill out. Maan Karate is one such film that has been made only to entertain everyone. Anirudh’s music, Sukumar’s colorful cinematography and the mere presence of Hansika make this a perfect family entertainer. There’s also Satish and Soori. While Satish has a full length role, Soori appears in a quick cameo.

                                                

Maan Karate isn’t a full on comedy. It is a bit away from my comfort zone or in other words, Maan Karate is an attempt from my end to expand my comfort zone.
 

You cannot categorize Maan Karate in one genre. Starting from fantasy, we have covered romance, comedy, action and sports. But it is romance that drives the movie forward.
 

The biggest curiosity of the film is AR Murugadoss’s story. It’ll be a fun ride!

The biggest curiosity of the film is AR Murugadoss’s story.

 

AR Murugadoss’s story…

AR Murugadoss has a knack to tell impactful stories in a very simple manner. From sleeper cells in Thuppakki to Nooku Varmam of 7aam Arivu, everything has become hits. Similarly, Maan Karate has a strong content narrated in a very simple manner.

Maan Karate has a strong content narrated in a very simple manner.

 

Cinematographer Sukumar…

 

He is a master in his own field and at the same time, he is a very silent man. But how can anyone be so silent being in the company of Satish and me? We spoilt him too. Soon he began every conversation and would make 10 minute long monologues.

 

Wow! Hansika with Siva! Lucky guy…

 

When I signed this film neither Ethir Neechal nor Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam had released. I realized Hansika was a bigger star back then.
 

I don’t think that kind of talk persists anymore. As long as we both look good on screens, everything is fine.
 

But to be honest, I’m as much human as anyone else and I used to ponder, “What’s wrong with me doing a film with Hansika? Are there any special qualifications required for me to act with top heroines?”
 

But it didn’t anger me. In fact, I don’t get angry. Probably because even as a teenager life has tested me with bigger challenges and gave me the maturity to analyze why people react in a certain way for different situations. 

Are there any special qualifications required for me to act with top heroines?

 

Anirudh, the magician…

I think Ethir Neechal and Maan Karate had a lot of scope for him. He had the opportunity to explore a variety of genres in these films. Take Ethir Neechal for example, there’s Nijamellam Marandhu Pochu on one side and a Sathiyama Nee Enakku on the other. Whereas, he had to majorly concentrate on romance in films like Vanakkam Chennai and 3. Maybe the variety makes our films look better. But he has given his best in all the albums. Like wine, he is getting better and better with each film.

Like wine, Anirudh is getting better and better with each film.

 

Does every commercial film require a Tasmac song or a number that ridicules girls?

 

Not every film demands such songs. No one intends to hurt anyone through these songs. And don’t tell me these numbers drive the youngsters to the wrong path. These are mere fun elements.
 

Most importantly, I really don’t take the creative decisions nor do I have the intentions or the power to influence my directors.
 

But I believe, over the period of time this will change. My next film, Taana doesn’t have any such songs. The film deals with positive attitude and there’s no place for such numbers.

I really don’t take the creative decisions nor do I have the intentions or the power to influence my directors.

 

The last ten minutes…

When we say boxing climax, you might get reminded of Badri, M Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi and many other movies. Every movie has its own story and similarly Maan Karate has a story that supports the involvement of Boxing in it.
 

I was told that the team was going to erect a boxing arena but I had no clue that it was going to be so massive. The last ten minutes of the movie will happen at this set.
 

It’s a well choreographed boxing sequence between me and Vamsi Krishna. For a shot Sukumar used a heli-cam and we were asked to fight extempore. Vamsi and I were aware of few moves and we kept fighting for, like 6 minutes without a cut. I surrendered myself to Vamsi and we innovated the action sequence, on the spot. He’d say, “duck,” and I do accordingly then I’d say “Vamsi fall”, and he’d be ready to get one good punch from me. We both enjoyed that sequence.

I was told that the team was going to erect a boxing arena but I had no clue that it was going to be so massive.

 

Maan Karate boxing training…

I trained for fifteen days with National Champion Madhan. I just learnt the basics, to get the body language right. When I’m doing a boxers role, I should look casual and be able to make the audiences believe me. The stands, punches and reflexes must be right at least.

I trained for fifteen days with National Champion Madhan.

 

Action hero in the making?

I might not make a good action hero. But Taana has some good realistic action sequences.
 

You cannot expect me to do what mass heroes do. We want to witness massive stunts from Rajinikanth, Vijay, Suriya and Ajith and every time they do we horripilate. That’s their forte.

We want to witness massive stunts from Rajinikanth, Vijay, Suriya and Ajith

 

The thought behind associating with new directors…

 

Apparently, the big guns haven’t required my services yet. Jokes apart… I have dreams of working with the top directors. But I believe I have the time. I’m a new comer too and I enjoy being in the company of new comers. And most importantly I sincerely hope these newcomers take me to the top directors.

Apparently, the big guns haven’t required my services yet

 

Maan Karate has set a bigger benchmark… How do you wish to sustain it?

Maan Karate has indeed set a higher benchmark in every aspect. Durai Senthil Kumar (Ethir Neechal) in fact asked me recently why I’m setting a higher benchmark with every new film. He now has a bigger responsibility to do in Taana. But that’s what keeps us moving forward. 
 

As far as how I’m going to sustain it, the difference in the script will be the major factor on which I’ll sign a film. For example, apart from the romance and comedy, Taana will have me playing a cop. How will I fit into a cop’s part will drive the story forward.
 

There are a few strategies I have in mind for now.
 

  • Firstly, I don’t want to do too many films simultaneously and struggle to release each one at the right time.
     
  • Secondly, I want to do only family entertainers. From children to senior citizens, everyone must have a good time at my movies.
     
  • I want to play my age for now.
     
  • I’m open to experimentation. But my films will also have a lot of humor, which people expect out of me.
     
  • I should be able to personally connect to the character I play. I cannot play a psycho killer, for instance. May be in the future I’ll be open to do such creepy characters.
     
  • I want my transitions to be slow and gradual.

 I cannot play a psycho killer

 

The kinds of roles you want to explore…

Maybe it was due to my childhood ambition, but I wanted to play a policeman and in Taana I’m doing it. Other than that, nothing else on top of my head. But I surely hope to do a variety of character and those that would remain alive in the memories of people.

I surely hope to do a variety of character and those that would remain alive in the memories of people.

 

Stay tuned….

In the second part of this interview, Siva Karthikeyan gets more personal. The hard ships, gossips, family’s reaction and the dreams he has for his little angel, Aaradhana are few of the exciting topics we have covered. Stay tuned…

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