ACTOR K.KARUNAKARAN INTERVIEW

Nalan Kumarasamy and I are friends and hail from Trichy. I was working in Accenture when he asked me to feature in his short film which he was submitting for a competition. Nalan has seen me partake in school culturals and win prizes and hence approached me. Although I was nervous to begin with, I somehow managed.

My first condition was that I can work only during weekends as I had to attend office on other days. So we used to be very busy during weekends and after going through numerous processes, we completed the short film within the timeframe and submitted it. I was glad that I had finished the task given to me. It got selected and I was called for the next short film and like this, I had done a couple of shortfilms.
 

I got acquainted with Karthik Subbaraj during Naalaya Iyakkunar times and he approached me with a role in Pizza. That’s how I did the film.

Right from the beginning I know that Arumai Prakasam is very important in Soodhu Kavvum and the role attracted me. There was a last minute shuffle but Nalan told the producer that it would be nice if I did the role. I did complete justice to my character. But we never expected the film to reap in such a huge success. We were also happy that my role and my performance were much talked about.

Actually I was injured during Pizza days during a sequence with Vijay Sethupathi. Once the pain subsided, I did not bother to go for a treatment. During the shoot of Soodhu Kavvum, there was a sequence when I had to jump with the money bag from a 12 feet distance on to a concrete floor.  
 

When I landed on the ground, I heard the ‘click’ sound and I fainted. Surgery was required but if I were to undergo the surgery, I would have been in bed rest for three months. That was the time when we had to complete a song.
 

Therefore Nalan and Santosh Narayanan planned the song with me in sitting position with just hand movements. Sheriff master was very supportive and asked me to give whatever dance moves I felt like.  Somehow I completed it. It was the last day and we all had good fun. I never thought that the song would have such a great reach.
 

Till now, I have completed around 15 films and since Soodhu Kavvum I have been shooting continuously. Now I am working in Ravi K Chandran’s Yaan which is almost complete. I am doing Thillumullu Badri’s Aadama Jaichomada, Kanidhan with Atharvaa and I have an important role in Nanbenda with Udhayanidhi sir and Santhanam. I am working in Kappal with Vaibhav, Mahabalipuram, Aindham Thalaimurai Siddha Vaithiya Sigamani with Bharath and Karthik Subbaraj’s Jigarthanda.

In Kanidhan, I am Atharvaa’s friend who is a lawyer. And there is Bhagyaraj sir too. In Mahabalipuram, I play a guide and it is a negative role. In Kappal, I am Vaibhav’s friend from village.

In Aadama Jaichomada, I play the lead with Vijayalakshmi as my co-star. I play a poor taxi driver in it.

In Jigarthanda, it is an interesting role for me where I play Siddharth’s friend who is based out of Madurai and who helps him.

I play a stupid hotel manager in the film with abnormal behavior at times. He is basically an idiot and confuses people with his behavior.

I have always been a fan of Kamal and wanted to meet him. Three days after the release of Soodhu Kavvum, Nalan called and said that Kamal sir had invited us home. He had seen the movie and wanted to appreciate the crew. We met and took pictures with him. I would cherish that day forever.

In a way I am happy that I have been busy with continuous work. During the Naalaya Iyakkunar times, cartoonist Madhan sir told me, “You will have a bright future”. I was very happy to hear it.

I do have. In Thillumullu, there is a dialogue- “Are you in Facebook? No, I am in Mylapore”. I wrote this when the director gave the script to me. Like this, there are thoughts.  Right now, it is too early. May be later! I will write and keep but it will only be humor based if at all when I try this.

My wife Thendral is a big support for me. She is open to the idea of me working in films.

Nalan has almost completed his next script. He is most likely to start in July.

I am excited to see the release of Jigarthanda, Aadama Jaichomada and Yamirukka Bayamae.