ACTOR SOORI INTERVIEW

Like in all my films, I play the role of hero’s friend in Oru Oorla Rendu Raja (OORR).  I am Vemal’s close friend in the film. There is much scope to score in all the scenes as director Kannan has given me such an opportunity. There will be more of our pranks in OORR. In Desingu Raja, Vemal and I played it in opposite camps. Here we are on the same side. As per the title there are two Rajas and I am one Raja in the film. 

Everything is written by Kannan. The content has to be there in the script for comedians to improvise. I can’t take credit for the scenes in the film. He has created the playground for me to play around. In that space, there will be some work for me too.

I don’t know to mouth dialogues as per the script. I give counters according to my co-artist’s reaction. I speak in the scenes like how I speak in my real life with my friend. Most unexpected dialogues strike me when I am in front of the camera. Some directors like this quality of mine a lot. I myself don’t know when I would speak such counters. 

My attempt was to become a comedian. I have struggled hard to come to this place. There are many who have gone back unsuccessfully. I did not want to be one among them. My perseverance and hard work have brought me to this level. Audiences are the ones who would decide where I have to stand now.

Of course I was hopeful that I would become a comedian one day. More than me, my friends gave me that confidence and directors have trusted me. Today, when people applaud my performance, the credit should go to the directors who have directed me. They are the ones who have handheld me, spotting my talents. I am nothing without my directors and am indebted to my directors and producers.

It was a massive challenge because Santhanam sir has established a huge combination with Simbu. Audience should not feel the absence of Santhanam there and should say Soori has filled the lacuna. Or they should say that I have done better than him because Santhanam has set the bar too high. Till now people have appreciated my work in the film. Cinematographer Balasubramaniem has shown me very stylishly with my costume, hairstyle and color. You will see a slick Soori and would be shocked to see my looks in Idhu Namma Aalu.

I keep getting offers as hero. Around 10-15 directors have approached me to play a hero in their film. I don’t want that. I want to establish myself as a comedian. Let me first scale this stage now. Audiences respect my work and have kept me in good position now. There are so many ways to make them laugh and let me continue to do this.

In a 50 over cricket match, Dhoni or Sachin may not have performed but the man who strikes 65 runs in the last few overs will be the talking point. For that match, HE is the hero. In a same way, in a film, when I score the maximum, I will stay in the mind of audience and I will be the hero. When someone says, “You can go to the film for Soori’s comedy”, I become the hero there. That is enough for me.