He’s always chosen his films with care, leaving large gaps in between. But looks like this year, actor Shiva is on a shooting spree with a finger in many pies. After the laugh riot Kalakalappu that hit the screens last year, his next film, Sonna Puriyadhu, is slated for release this month and he’s just started work on Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi’s untitled film. Catching up with him, we discover the aces up his sleeve.
“I’m happy that four out of the five films I’m currently doing are with new directors,” says Shiva. He’s pretty tickled about Krishnan Jayaraj’s Sonna Puriyadhu, “I play a dubbing artiste who is against marriage and what happens when he meets his match is the story. It’s a complete rib tickler and Vasundhara Kashyap has done an awesome job,” he says.
Shiva is currently busy on the sets of Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi’s debut directorial venture opposite Priya Anand. How is it working with a lady director? “For me, the script and how I fit into the role is most important. Kiruthiga has a very powerful script and is a very competent director,” he replies.
Shiva is also busy with his other two films, Ya Ya and Thillu Mullu. About Ya Ya, he says, “I play a boy next door and Dhansikaa is my pair. I am happy to say that ‘the most handsome of actors’ Power Star Srinivasan is doing a role in the movie,” he quips. His Thillu Mullu, a remake of Rajinikanth’s 1981 hit flick, which is directed by Badri is 95 per cent complete. Kalakalappu 2, a sequel of the Sundar C directed super hit comedy, is also on the cards. “We will start the shoot in June,” he reveals.
For the moment, Shiva has it good, spreading cheer through a variety of characters, in films where viewers are assured laughs. Doesn’t he want to do something different? “Sure I want a variety of roles. I’d love to save the world or be a scientist in my next film. But nobody is offering me anything like that,” he says tongue-in-cheek. “I only get roles where I play a cheat or a poriki. What to do!”
One role he’s playing to perfection off screen is that of a cricketer with Celebrity Cricket League (CCL). “Everyone bonds strongly and we discuss only cricket. It’s been great to make new friends from other industries,” he signs off.