After donning the ‘hero’ cap in a couple of noteworthy films like ‘Kokki’, ‘Karuppusamy Kuththagaithaarar’, ‘Kathavarayan’ and ‘Kanagavel Kaaka’, actor Karan surely knows what he wants from his films.
A penchant for rustic themes with a commercial appeal, Karan is not just choosy about his scripts but ensures that his roles are unique or something that has not been attempted before.
Presently, the actor is awaiting the release of his forthcoming film, ‘Thambi Vettothi Sundaram’, directed by debutant VC Vadivudaiyan.
Anjali of ‘Angadi Theru’ fame plays the female lead.
Explains Karan, “‘Thambi Vettothi Sundaram’ marks my first release this year. It is based on a true story and it is the first time that I’m doing a character that exists in real life. The story is based on how educated youth who do not get good breaks in their lives, succumb to criminal activities.”
Though the film narrates the life of someone who still lives, the actor explains that it is not a biopic. “The film is a combination of action, song, family sentiment and romance. It’s not a documentary. In fact I’ve not seen the actual person, Sundaram (the character he is playing in this film).”
Apparently, the shooting of the film in the locales of Nagercoil (KanyaKumari district) was a hard task for the crew. He says, “It was a herculean task to shoot, as we didn’t get permission in few areas and the director was even beaten up by the public. We had to shoot certain action sequences, like a blast scene in Chennai and it was not patterned, giving the realistic feel.”
Karan shot for more than 180 days continuously for the film. “Normally, I would shoot for about 70-75 days but for ‘Thambi...’, I had to shoot continuously for 6 months,” he says and adds, “I have spoken a lingo called Marthandam Tamil, which is spoken in the districts of Kanya Kumari.”
Next in line up is ‘Kandha’, directed by Babu K Viswanath. “The story revolves around a student and a school teacher. I play an NRI from Malaysia, who comes down to meet his schoolteacher. It deals with the significance and bond, the schoolteacher shares with the protagonist. It is again an action-based script,” narrates the actor.
While shooting a fight sequence at Thanjavur, Karan was amazed at the simplicity and hospitality of the people living in that locality. When the actor slipped and fell down, a man from the crowd helped Karan and offered sherbet. “I was overwhelmed by their kindness,” he says.
Karan will also be seen in ‘Soori’, his third film, directed by Balu Narayanan. “So far, my appearances in all my previous films have remained the same. But in ‘Soori’, I play a hardcore North-Chennai rowdy who is a Port Trust thug. Sada is the name of the character, who is also called Soori in this film. I speak typical North Chennai slang in Soori,” he reveals.
On a final note, the actor says that becoming a hero was never his plan. After playing second fiddle in his previous films, Karan feels that he has played every kind of support cast already. But when it comes to multistarrers like ‘Avan Ivan’, the actor is all set to prove his potential.