"I WAS DOUBTFUL TO TAKE UP THE LEAD ROLE", KARTHI

Karthi’s Kaatru Veliyidai directed by Mani Ratnam is an intense love story that has the actor almost essay a negative, domineering role called VC or Varun Chakrapani. In an exclusive chat with behindwoods, Karthi admits that he did have apprehensions accepting the film.

He said, “When Mani sir gave me the script, I could not understand the character or its behavior at all. My biggest question was how would I suit or fit into this character?

Sir just told me to transform into Varun. I am so thankful to him for giving me the role. He broke my mould and gave me an opportunity to do this. The usual norm is to give easy roles; people will know that Karthi can do such and such a type of roles. However, it is rare to get a role like Varun/VC.

When I began Paruthi Veeran, people mocked saying why did Ameer give such a role to him. In this film, Mani sir made me believe myself. When I took off my mustache, wore the overall and looked at the mirror, I felt ok. In some angles I felt, I resembled anna (Suriya). I got a little confidence that I can pull off the role but could not fathom how I was going to do it.

We had many script discussions and I was totally clueless. I would very easily say that this was the most challenging role in my career. I met a few fighter pilots and interacted with them and after the meeting, I got confidence.

On the second day, sir approved one scene. And that also added up my confidence levels. I was like – I got Varun!"