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 What according to you is the essential quality in
an action film?
Action does not mean fights alone. All
fights are not action sequences. There are several
films where fights have been minimal, yet the impact
huge. This is due to the power in the action.
Nayakan, for example. In Tiruppachi, there are not
many fights except in the climax.
What is the emotional relationship with the
viewers in the case
of action films?
See, an action sequence becomes successful
only if the audience can be convinced. It has to
create a huge outcry against the villain and goad
the hero to strike. Without creating this emotional
upheaval, action reduces to mere violence.
Tiruppachi showed the brother-sister sentiment.
What about Sivakasi?
It is also a family entertainer, but the
canvas is vast.
What special characteristics have you added to
Vijay's role?
The greatest factor has been the hitherto
unseen aspect of Vijay's talent for comedy.
Who are the collaborators with Vijay in the
comedy track?
No big names, Benjamin and Chittibabu to
mention some.
Vijay has performed better than in Tiruppachi.
Will Tirupathi form a new chapter in your career?
Why do you choose only names of places as titles?
I knew within two months of starting work
on Tiruppachi that it would be a hit. Similarly,
when I asked Vijay, he agreed for Sivakasi and it is
shaping up well. I am very sure that it would also
be a big hit. As I feel sentimental about this
trend, I am going places.
Tell us how you landed the Tirupathi assignment?
I was in Karaikudi shooting for Sivakasi
when I received the call from AVM. I met Saravanan
sir after a week and did not imagine that I would be
asked to direct a film. Saravanan sir said that AVM
wanted me to be the director of their next film.
Ajith would be the hero. I readily agreed. I told
them a simple story which appealed to all. Ajith was
only too happy and offered full cooperation.
Is the script ready?
Sivakasi developed during Tiruppachi.
Tirupathi is shaping up during Sivakasi. I always
work on my next project with the current one..
What is special about Tirupathi?
Tirupachi was about sisterly affection and
Sivakasi deals with mother's affection. Tirupathi
will be the lexicon for friendship.
When will shooting start for Tiruapthi? Who is
the heroine?
December 1. Sadha is the heroine.
You are such a soft-spoken film. You belie the
image of your films which have so much spice.
My experience of 15 to 16 years in the
industry has taught me to analyze the pulse of the
audience. I give them what they want.
You trained under Rama. Narayanan. But your films
do not show his influence.
When you are an apprentice, you can pick
up the skills.
You cannot acquire creativity. I honed my skills
under Rama. Narayanan.
What was Vijay's response to the announcement of
Tirupathi with Ajith?
Vijay congratulated me and wished me good
luck. On Tiruppachi launch, Ajith was away in
Kumbakonam and wished me over phone. It is only the
outsiders who think that Vijay and Ajith are at
loggerheads. They are the best of friends as far as
I know.
The industry is still not convinced about your
consistency.
I fully agree. Your first film is only a
start and you have a long journey ahead. I am sure
that my journey will take me to the summit and make
my films popular amongst the audience. I thank
behindwoods, for the chance to let me voice my views.
By T.Muthukumar
Behindwoods correspondent
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