I don’t remember when I first met SP Muthuraman sir. I think it was probably during my time as a press photographer. But one thing is for sure—I won’t ever forget him. I took this picture as he was working with Vijayakanth and Radikaa on Nallavan.
He is probably one of the kindest persons I have ever met. Right from the time he enters the sets, there is a warmness he exudes that makes being part of his film such a rewarding experience. He makes sure he talks to everyone from the lightman to the biggest stars with the same earnestness in his voice.
No one would ever feel like they are being talked down to or being looked down upon just because they were doing a less glamorous role.
Owing to his loving treatment of people, he became that rare person in Tamil cinema who had no enemies. Can you imagine this in a competitive environment like cinema? No wonder that an actor of the stature of Rajinikanth worked with him as often as he did and called him ‘annan’. (The photographer has taken stills for more than 500 films over the last three decades.)