CHENNAI: Aadhav Kannadhasan, 21-years-old, is busy shooting day and night for his debut flick ‘Pon Maalai Pozhudhu’. Though the first schedule commenced in the second week of February, the youngster has been preparing for this moment for years. Grandson of the late renowned poet, lyricist and writer ‘Kaviarasu’ Kannadhasan and son of late director Kalaivanan Kannadhasan, Aadhav has in a way inherited his passion for cinema.
“Mine is the third generation of our family in Tamil cinema. I have always worked towards becoming an actor,” he says, “Which is why I have been learning stunts from Pandian master and dance moves from Kala master. To understand the atmosphere and working of the film industry better I started off as an assistant director for the Bharath-starrer ‘Yuvan Yuvathi’ last year. It was around the same time that this offer came through and I accepted it,” he informs.
Hailing from a film background must have had its share of influences, one might think. But Aadhav elaborates on the challenges it comes with. “The Kannadhasan connection to my name and lineage might help me get through lengthy queues at meetings with directors and producers for a role. That way, I had an edge over those many fresh faces. But I have also gone to many production houses with my portfolio. And I have earnestly worked for what I am today,” he says.
Throwing light on his role in ‘Pon Maalai Pozhudhu’ directed by A C Durai, who had scripted the Suriya-starrer ‘Sillunu Oru Kadhal’, he says, “It is a very cute teenage love story. I play a character called Arjun. We are currently shooting in Chennai and will soon head to Pondicherry and Bangalore as well. This film promises to be a wholesome family entertainer, one that a dad would recommend to his son and vice versa,” he smiles.
Aadhav assures that ‘Pon Maalai Pozhudhu’ is not a candy-floss love story that would brand him a chocolate boy. He adds, “If you notice, the title of the film is from the very first song penned by Vairamuthu.”
Aadhav does accept that the present-day scenario in the film industry is highly competitive and unpredictable. Being Kannadhasan’s grandson, how is the poetic muse in him?
“As a kid, I used to write a few couplets in Tamil. But nothing more than that,” he says.
His all-time favourite composition by his grandfather is ‘Kanne Kalaimaane’, his last work. “There is a little history behind it, which my mother told me about. My dad wanted my grandfather to write a poem on him and that’s how he wrote ‘Yaen pirandhai maghane’. My dad wasn’t all that happy about it and urged for something better, and that’s when he wrote ‘KannekKalaimaane — the ‘Kalaimaane’ is a pun on my dad’s name Kalaivanan. I also like ‘Engaeyum eppodhum’,” he says excitedly.
Aadhav is certainly not an artist who dwells in the past. He is in awe of present-day lyricists as well. “Take for instance Madhan Karky’s ‘Irumbile oru idhayam ...’ from ‘Endhiran’; what an imagination! I also love Yugabharathi’s lyrics. But above all, it has to be Vaali.”
Any inspirations in acting? “Kamal sir, Rajini sir, Jiiva and Dhanush,” he lists before bidding goodbye.