A scene from ‘Kudumbasthan’ Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In a scene from Manikandan’s last film, LoverBefore our conversation began the actor and I were served some delicious tea which became the first topic of conversation. ,Tiku Set Potturukanga Pola (I think it’s a set piece for tea), Manikandan starts with his usual banter as we set out to talk about his upcoming family film aptly titled kudumbasthan(Do a favor). Part:
Tamil cinema was full of family films from producers like V Shekhar, Visu and Bhagyaraj a few decades ago. These films talked about the contemporary issues of that time. What has changed now and why is there a shortage of such films?
Rajeshwar Kalisamy (Director) Kudumbasthan) and I’m a fan of Edgar Wright. He asked me to imagine a film he had written Directed by V Shekhar and Edgar Wright and that’s how they presented this film to me. I mean nothing against soap operas, but that format has taken over the genre. but i like the movies of my childhood Varavu Ettana Selavu Pathana, Viralukkettha Veekkam And koodi wazenthal koodi nanmai In which a realistic portrayal of the life of middle class families was given. I remember discussing with friends about an award-winning Iranian film about the difficulties a family faces in order to buy a TV. There is one such Tamil film starring Nassar sir and Radhika madam. I keep saying that if Shekhar sir had made films like Majid Majidi, our films would also have been international films.
Look Manikandan on ‘Kudumbasthan’, playing a related character and returning to direction
Our idea was to try such a film. To see a comedy-family film presented at the pace of an action film excites me. The struggles of a family man have always been there but in today’s digital world, they have evolved. Kudumbasthan Talks about these modern problems and the different mindset that neo-liberalization has given us. The script has given the right platform to discuss these issues in a humorous manner. A friend had written a script about how we all lived together on the streets and television confined us to our respective homes. Now mobile phones are confining each family member to one corner of the house. Therefore, films on joint families are no longer relevant and films only reflect what is currently relevant in our society.
What was it like playing a character who speaks Kongu Tamil dialect?
getting arcot slang for Jai BheemOr the Thirunelveli dialect to represent the Tamil residents of Dharavi in ​​Mumbai. Black It wasn’t difficult because I have friends who speak that dialect. When I went to Coimbatore, I never paid attention to the language. This film gave me a chance to experience it. Each area has its own energy level; The people of Coimbatore are calm while the people of Madurai are more lively in nature. Merely getting the bid will not be enough as I have to get the temperament and approach right as well. It was challenging to put it all together during the performance.
If getting into a character is so challenging, does it affect you in any way to step out of it?
Imagine you had a happy occasion at home and on the sets, it is the complete opposite as you have to work on a depressing sequence. Forgetting all those pleasant feelings and maintaining this mood for almost eight hours is a task and unloading all those belongings after packing is also a task. Lover It was a demanding, emotionally exhausting film. If such a relatively simple film is so difficult, it makes me wonder what the masters of this art have done before.
In your films you have always played boy-next-door, relatable roles. What interests you about them?
I like to choose roles with social relevance. In LoverFor example, the director wanted to ensure that my character did not seem isolated to the audience and hence would have many of the same qualities as many of us. These characters help bring a sense of relevance.
There is no way to get to the next level; It’s all trial and error. If I follow the path of someone who was successful before me, I will fail. For now, I am happy with the success of a film in presenting the truth in the right way.
Actor Manikandan Photo Courtesy: Shiv Raj S
Your characters are also far from perfection due to their flaws. Are these the roles that interest you the most?
too much. We’re all like that, aren’t we? Also, I am not an actor who makes the audience go crazy the moment I come on screen. So how a person overcomes his flaws to become a hero is what excites me the most.
In an interview with ‘The Hindu’ in 2021, you had said, “Be it acting, writing or directing, I always feel insecure about myself and whether I have justified the role I have played in a film ” Do you feel like this even after many hit films?
I still do; The recognition I get for one film does not help me in my next film. For example, if I play the role of a thief in a film and I get awards and praise for it, I may have to play the role of a cop in the next film. My homework and the high praise I received for my work will no longer matter to me because I am back to square one. As soon as I start from scratch I will be insecure once again. Whenever the director says ‘cut’, I go to the monitor to check it. They have to reassure me that everything is okay. I want all my scenes to take place through the perspective of the audience present within me.
In your recent interviews, you shared your experience of working with talents you once respected, like director Shankar and actors like Rajinikanth and Ajith…
This is a dream come true moment for me. I want to shout loudly and express my excitement, but I have to control it and behave professionally (SmileI recently met a director who pitched a story to me, and he’s someone I consider one of my mentors. There was a time when I was eager to meet him, and I would even talk loudly outside his office so that he would pay attention to me. While he was telling the story, I really wanted to tell him how much it meant to me but I stopped myself. My experiences have been similar.
You had also recently said that now actors do not have the freedom to give flop films. How can one experiment with films within these limitations?
it is challenging. This reminds me of Nassar sir’s recent interview in which he recalled the conversation he had with Vadivelu sir and he asked how Vadivelu sir executes his comedy sequences so well. Vadivelu sir candidly replied, ‘More than looking good and being confident for the audience, I consider it more important to look good and confident in my own eyes.’ A film may be tagged as experimental if it differs from the industry standard or films that came before. Reiterating Kamal Haasan sir, my audience and I are not separate entities. If I enjoy a film, the audience will also enjoy it.
Despite all your acting commitments, has writing taken a back seat? Do you have any plans to get back into direction after your 2016 film ‘Naarai Ezhuthum Suyasritham’?
I have been writing. I write for others and I’m not sure whether they will all be successful or not. I am also writing a film which I want to direct and I am not sure when I will start it.
published – January 22, 2025 02:41 PM IST
