On
the title Quarter Cutting?
Please don’t misjudge the film by the
title. This is a family entertainer and has
many messages. I would like to say lots of such
things but the story line does not warrant such
interpretation. |
Please don’t misjudge the film by
the title
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Pushkar and Gayatri were
working like ghosts
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How
was it working with Pushkar-Gayatri?
It
was truly a good experience to have worked with
Pushkar and Gayatri as they are passionate film
makers. During the shoot, they never gave proper
breaks. I would be dreaming to have my food
at 9 PM and they would come and say, ‘machi,
today no break, please eat your food fast’.
I have worked in many films and break times
are something to look forward to. But here,
they would never announce breaks and to top
it
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all, the shooting was from 6 PM to 6 AM. The entire
biorhythm was changed but Pushkar and Gayatri were working
like ghosts because they were so involved in the film.
I think they are technically talented and know all the
shots. Even the selection of technicians for Va-QC is
perfect, for instance cinematographer Nirav Shah, who
is the best in the industry. Nirav may appear serious
but is extremely a jolly fellow. In Tamizh Padam, when
I danced, the camera also danced mildly because Nirav
was laughing. He has helped me a lot especially in dialogues.
In Va-QC also he has given valuable inputs.
Besides Nirav, Editor Anthony, music director GV Prakashkumar
and Art Director Santhanam have all worked hard and
we have tried something different, thanks to Pushkar-Gayatri
and Sashikant.
On your chemistry with Lekha Washington
Between me and Lekha, there is no Chemistry or Math.
Lekha is such a dumb student who has failed five times
(in the film) and would run away at the mention of
Chemistry. She has only worn school dress in the entire
film and the saddest part is her parents are teachers.
Chemistry between
you and Charan?
I have worked with Charan from Chennai-28. He is
my close buddy and whether the shooting is there or
not, whether the camera is on or off, we will be the
same. This is our chemistry.
Your screen name
in Va-Qc is Sura. Are you spoofing Vijay?
This is not a spoof film. My name is Sundarrajan,
shortened to Sura. That’s about it. I am a Vijay
fan in the film. “This is a complete family
entertainer which has many messages in the film and
this is a philosophical movie”. I would like
to say all these things! When you see the film, you
will understand.
You
have penned a song in Va-QC. Are you gearing to
compete with Vaali or Vairamuthu?
One day, as usual, I was sleeping and there
were continuous calls from Pushkar. He told
me he has to shoot a song in Saudi Arabia and
since the lyricist wants four days time, wanted
me to write the lyrics. Writing poetry is a
trivial matter for me as I have written more
than hundred songs but all in radio. If they
don’t like my songs and are angry with
me, the maximum they would do is to switch off
the radio and go on. But here, if they know
I have written the lyrics, the effects would
be devastating.
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Writing poetry is a trivial matter
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Anyway, I went to Pushkar’s house. We discussed
as though it was a huge challenge but completed the
work in 2 hours which was converted into a song the
same night by GV Prakash, who raved about it saying
it was very fresh! Thanks to GV for this! The situation
was Sura is dreaming that Saudi Baasha is giving him
the responsibility to take care of Saudi. So I just
put in all that I knew- Saithan ke bachcha, Sultan ki
beti, podu nee metti. Everyone seems to like this which
is very important. What I want to say from all this
is that for all those who like this song, I will do
a special pujai in the kovil.
I am also thankful to editor
Anthony for making me dance
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On
your dancing skills which are much spoken about?
In
one song, there were many Russian belly dancers
and I enquired if I too should dance. And I
understood there is no escaping from it. I normally
develop fever when I have to dance. I don’t
know if I have danced very hard but I was a
bit anxious. Unnai Kan Thedude song (in Va-QC)
is choreographed by Kalyan master. We have a
special understanding; he is there with me from
Saroja saaman nikalo in Chennai-28 to pachai
manja sevappu thamizhan in Tamizh Padam. He
has created a dance with whatever I can do and
more than this. I am also thankful to editor
Anthony for making me dance.
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Did you expect
such a huge fan base?
Fan base? I am so happy to hear that. I never expected
this and I never calculated all this. I enjoy what
I am doing and if the audience also enjoys what I’m
doing, then I am happy. I make sure they enjoy the
maximum.
Do you think
people would accept if you acted seriously?
I don’t know. People laugh even if I am doing
something serious, not now but even earlier than this.
In Saroja, the shot where I will run and cry that
Charan is going to get killed received applause at
the sets. It was shot at Binny Mills at 5 in the morning.
But to my shock, the audiences were laughing for this
scene in theatres. I don’t understand, here
I am crying and acting but everyone is laughing. It
was much opposed to the situation. But what can I
do?
What I cannot forget is the scene in Chennai-28 where
I will fall at Nithin Sathya’s feet and cry.
Everyone appreciated it. On the 100th day celebrations
of the film, Kamal sir was giving the award to actors
and Rajni sir to technicians. Kamal sir had congratulated
me after he saw the film in Four Frames. He may have
forgotten it but I cannot. And hence I think I can
do serious stuff too.
Amudan team
or Venkat Prabu team. Which is the best?
Of course team work is important but more than the
team, the script is important. When Chennai 28 was
released, it was fresh and new at that time; next
Saroja which also did well. Tamizh Padam was a different
genre and received good feedback. Now, Pushkar-Gayatri’s
Quarter Cutting. Fresh attempt is the common factor
in all these films. That’s why these films are
appealing. I always say that whenever we try something
new, it will be appreciated by Tamil people. We have
that pride. I did not say this but many accomplished
people have said this. And in Va-Qc also, we have
tried something new. Hopefully it will be appreciated.
And if it does well, it will pave way for such efforts.
The title Akila
Ulaga Super Star
“Titles come on its own; I don’t go in
search of it”, I would like to say. Anyway,
this was the title I got in Tamizh Padam. It is just
for fun and should not be taken seriously.
When
you spoof your favorite actor, how do you feel?
I think you are asking about Tamizh Padam. When
I began the film, I was very serious I am not
going to hurt anyone through this film and decided
I will make fun of myself. It is not an easy
task to dance bharathnatyam in front of a big
crowd especially when you don’t know to
dance. But I did a hideous job without an iota
of shame to the shock of everyone. So I make
sure that people laugh at me which is an easy
humor. Charlie Chaplin has said that a good
comedian is one who can make fun of himself.
In the Hindi Robot audio launch, super star
has spoken with such humility which is very
difficult to do. Super star is totally devoid
of ego.
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Super star is totally devoid of
ego
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Any project
that you have signed now?
I am listening to a lot of scripts and don’t
want to rush. For the last couple of months, folks
at home are giving me some kind of respect and food.
It is fun to stay at home, sleep and watch TV and
I am enjoying my time. I will decide soon.
Director is always the hero
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You
have once said you will direct films. Do you still
feel the same way?
Yes.
I like direction. You will realize what you
are capable of only when you direct. When you
are acting, there could be a few things that
you would want to change. If the director is
in sync with your thoughts, it is fine, otherwise,
it is difficult. You can execute your ideas
only when you are a director. Director is always
the hero. As an actor, you go in the morning
for your shot but will have to wait till the
afternoon. You need to be idle till such time.
But director is not like that. He will have
work throughout the day. At least for this,
I would like to be a director. |
What happened
to the film 16?
16 was a film to be directed by S T Sabha with Yuvan
Shankar’s music under the banner of Bashyam
Movie Makers. This project came after Chennai-28.
It is not a comedy or a spoof but based on love. Of
course, we have conveyed all aspects of love in our
films. I liked this story when Sabha sir narrated
to me. In our life, most of us may have met that someone
special early in our life and would have decided that
they would be our life partners. But only 0.5% of
people settle down with such mates. For the rest,
it would be someone else. This is what the main theme
of 16 is. The film is completed and it will hit the
screens soon.
Your association
with Vidya Sagar?
It is a shock to hear this question as this is something
very personal to me. But I have learnt so much about
life only in Vidya Sagar, a school for holistic development
of children and adults with special needs. In life,
till a point you achieve something, we need to be
patient and listen to the advice of many people. After
my 10th, I used to go to many companies, give my portfolio
and go to Vidya Sagar to teach. People wondered, what
someone who has not even completed 10th standard can
teach. As Vidya Sagar is a special school, I was basically
singing, telling stories and entertaining the inmates.
I thought I was going to teach them but on the contrary,
it was I who learnt from these children. In reality,
our life is a big bore but their life is cheerful.
They are very happy and I realized this. I joined
as RJ in 2003 and from RJ to Chennai-28 to Va-QC,
I have got everything from the contacts I developed
there.
Radio
or cinema?
It is not a choice between Andhra meals or biriyani.
At the end of the day, it is food. That’s
what is important and we have to enjoy our food.
I always say I am a joker in a circus. If radio
is Gemini circus then cinema is Bombay circus.
Cinema is a large medium but radio is magic.
It takes more than 6 months to can a film, release
it and make the audience laugh. Radio is not
like that; when you want to make someone enjoy
life or make them laugh, all that I do is go
to the radio station, take the mike, switch
it on and do a live show. I learnt all this,
only after 2003 when I started doing radio shows
and receiving feedback from varied audiences.
I realized that radio is a powerful medium.
Radio is my favorite and movie is also part
of the family. Now it is movie, then it will
be radio and so on but whatever it is I am always
the joker in the circus.
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It is not a choice between
Andhra meals or biriyani
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Va-QC message
Through Va-QC, we just want to say this. Patience
is very important in life and if you are patient,
you can get many things.
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