Samuthirakani has been a busy man. In the last two years alone, the actor was seen in more than a dozen Tamil films, six Telugu films (one of which he also directed) and one Malayalam film. This week he will be seen in two Tamil films releasing on the same day. Tiru. Manikkam And royal palaceHe will start 2025 with Shankar game changer and Bala’s Forest GardenYou look at his resume and wonder how much of his line-up is planned. He works like little gems thalaikoothal And alebalances them with supporting roles in big stars’ films like Thunivu And VaathiAnd remains a much awaited villain in Telugu. “I don’t deliberately try to grab all these hats. If I start thinking along those lines, I will get all confused and misunderstand them all,” says Samuthirakani, when he sits down to chat. Tiru. Manikkam,
He says that actors only need to care about what role they want to play. “Let’s say there’s a pitch in Malayalam that I really like but they can’t afford to pay; There is a Telugu film in which the role is not much but the remuneration is good. Now, you decide whether you can balance both the tasks or not.” Samuthirakani does not try to gauge the success of supporting roles played in films with big stars. “It is something that belongs to that particular hero and filmmaker. We must do what is expected of us. Only when I act in films like Sattai, Appa, Author, Vimanam and Thiru. Manikkam Will I see how the audience accepts them because these films have something important to tell the society,” he added.
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How was 2024 for you and Tamil cinema?
It was amazing. We have a lot of amazing films this year and I am happy that I got a chance to work in some of them. As the year draws to a close, I am happy to bring two films, Tiru. Manikkam And royal palaceUp to the big screen. It feels great to end the year with such good creations.
Seeing you as a happy family man is a sub-genre in itself. What can you tell us about ‘Thiru’? ‘Manikam’?
I would be happy just for a part of the movie (laughsThis is a film about a simple, honest man who is in touch with his inner truth. Many of us hide the truth that we hold. When we’re pushed to the edge, we may even do things we don’t want to do. But here’s a man who says that even when you test him, he’ll stand up for what’s right, and the film explores who he is, where he comes from, and why he is the way he is.
The film shatters the myth that those who cannot break the rules will lose everything and implores you to see the goodness and reward of living an honest life. We live in a time when youth, disheartened by failure, think of going to the other side. This film will make them rethink this and give them some hope that they can achieve whatever they want.
A scene from ‘Thiru’. ‘Manikam’ Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In the 2000s, families, especially women, would go to theaters to watch family films or watch films on devotional themes. Nowadays, they have to watch big-star vehicles, no matter how violent they are. Do you think we are missing out on making films like your ‘Neranja Manasu’?
It is our responsibility to deliver what consumers want. After all, it is a business. You can’t go to a hotel and ask for a plate of idli because you’re a nice person; You have to pay for it. Likewise, if you have something good to say, you have to bring it within the boundaries of commercial filmmaking. However, you can decide how far you push that professionalism. Tiru. Manikkam A thriller that tries to say something good. You won’t find any item songs in this movie but there might be a movie that claims to say something good but with some item songs. It’s all about the path we take to tell our stories.
You have done many films like ‘Velai Illa Pattadhari’, ‘Appa’, ‘Don’, ‘Thalaikoothal’ and ‘Elle’.Which tells about the relationship between father and son…
That list is endless. I should do a get-together with all the people who have worked in these films as my sons. On one hand, there are actors like Dhanush, Sivakarthikeyan and Manikandan, and on the other, there are the little kids I acted with, who have now grown up to be young adults. the boy who played my son AppaJ Vignesh has grown up to become a hero himself. they all still call me that Appa And I want to meet them all.
Each of these roles as a father is very specific, but have you ever wondered if you would get typecast if you kept acting as a father?
Every father is unique and hence every character will also be unique. If someone asks me to play the role of a father, I will be ready immediately. Because I am someone who yearns to win my father’s affection and I miss my father a lot. actually, i thought about it thalaikoothal I had to repay the loan to my father.
A scene from ‘Thiru’. ‘Manikam’ Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
So, you are assured that the filmmakers will not confine you to a box…
I firmly believe that I cannot be limited within any limits. I shot for three completely different roles simultaneously, and that’s when I realized how I could transform myself into the roles. I just have to wear the costume, sit on the set for 10 minutes, and think about the character. We need to be honest about it. If you are playing the role of a police officer, you have to charge yourself and be ready to embrace that character. I am playing the role of a cop in this Drishyam Director Jeetu Joseph’s next; We are starting shooting in March but I have to start preparing for it now. We need to be honest, respect character and be responsible; Only then will the camera see us for who we are. That’s why an actor can look so different in every role.
You made ‘Vinodya Sitham’ for ZEE5. When OTTs arrived, they seemed like an alternative space for small-budget productions and indie efforts. However, now, OTTs are also going after the big fish, right?
There is room for everyone. when we’re done Tiru. ManikkamEver since I made it, the makers have asked me to talk to ZEE5 vinodaya sitham And Vimanam For them; I refused because I had never approached anyone to buy my film. If there is truth in the film then it will reach the audience.
So when we make a movie, you’ll get a still that encapsulates everything, and that’s the still you choose as the poster of your movie. we still had one like that Tiru. ManikkamIn which my character, with a bag under his arm, stands in the middle of the road and looks towards oblivion. I asked the producers to choose it for the poster. It so happened that a ZEE5 executive saw this poster on the street and asked me about it. He saw the film and bought it. And only because they bought it, we were able to bring this film to theatres. So, if you are confident in making an honest film, and if the audience supports your film, everything will be fine. There are good people everywhere and this world runs because of them.
A scene from ‘Thiru’. ‘Manikam’ Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
This week, we’re remembering your mentor and veteran filmmaker K Balachander on his 10th death anniversary. If he were here…
He is here. He is always with me. Not a day goes by when I don’t think about him. I just wish I got to see movies like them thalaikoothal And Tiru. ManikkamBecause he used to celebrate our films. while watching NadodigalHe was holding my hand the whole time, and his grip tightened every time the audience clapped. Then he said, “I feel like climbing up my seat and screaming because you were my last disciple and I feel sad to see such a talented person lose. But Nadodigal Will always protect you.” And I’m still trying my best Nadodigal,
Suppose he is standing in front of you, what would you say to him?
I will hold her feet… hug her. He is everything to me; He is my father, my friend, my sibling, my beloved, my teacher. We used to talk a lot, whether it was about literature or anything in the world.
Samuthirkani | Photo Courtesy: S Shiv Raj
You are starting 2025 with Shankar’s ‘Game Changer’. Will we get to see director Samuthirakani this year?
Yes, I am making a film called school busIn which I am playing the role of a school bus driver. I drive around 22 kids and we’ll see who these kids are, who their parents and teachers are, and what the responsibilities of a school bus driver are. I am starting in April during the summer holidays, as I have to shoot many scenes inside the school campus and I need many young school children to play these roles.
Tiru. Manikam will release in theaters on December 27, 2024.
published – December 24, 2024 04:05 PM IST
