The audio launch of Paarka Thoonuthe, featuring newcomers in the lead, directed by Jai Senthil Kumar, was held recently in the city. Speaking during the occasion, filmmaker Kasthuri Raja said, Dhanush never wanted to act in films. “When Thulluvadho Ilamai (2002) was made, he was in Class 11. I forced him to act and he was not interested. We worked sincerely, and became successful,” he told.
Raja was made fun of when he sarted off making films. “When I made En Rasavin Manasile (1991) with Raj Kiran in the lead, people made fun of the whole crew. It wasn’t a big-budget film. I have faced a lot of brickbats.” He insisted on smart content and snazzy packaging of films. “There is a wrong perception that only big films will run in the box-office. Many small-budget films have been successful. The whole scenario has become unforgiving for newcomers struggling to make a mark. This has to change.”
Initially, he thought of quitting cinema, but his interest for the craft of filmmaking made him pursue films like Solaiyamma (1992), and Ettupatti Raasa (1997). “My life was extremely peaceful when I was earning `4,000 at a private firm in Madurai in the 70s.
I might not have had the fame and money like now, but there was so much freedom and I was content. Today, a couple is claiming that Dhanush is their son! I have become financially well-off. But where’s the happiness?” Stunt master Jaguar Thangam, actor-cameraman Natarajan Subramanian, director A Venkatesh, TSR Subash, were few of the guests who participated.