A fter Tharai Thappattai and Vetrivel, actor-producer-director Sasikumar is working on yet another rural-based action-family entertainer titled Kidaari, directed by Prasad Murugesan, former associate of filmmaker Vasantha Balan.
Sasikumar tells CE, “The best thing about Kidaari is its characters. That’s why the team came up with individual teasers, focusing on each of them.” Introducing the characters to the audience before they watch the film, ensures they would see them as they are. “In my previous films, my character would have revolved around the story and other characters. But, each character in this film is important and pushes the story further. I was impressed by the way Prasad narrated the script that I felt I could have directed it myself,” he says.
Explaining the title Kidaari, Sasikumar says, “The word has different meanings and interpretations in different cities. There’s a negative side to every man. Especially, when he/she is aware that his/her rights are being snatched.” The film is set in Sattur and Sasikumar plays the titular character, which here refers to a rough guy who gets angry suddenly. The film was shot in and around Kovilpatti and Virudhunagar for 62 days.
Ask Sasikumar why he chooses only rural-based scripts and he explains, “I think it just happens, but it’s not something that I’ve consciously tried. I am offered such films and I also think I look convincing doing rural-based roles. Also, I come from a family of farmers and I am proud of it. Director Bala proved thorugh Tharai Thappattai that I can push myself as an actor and post that film, I have become a lot more confident. I was convinced that Bala brought out my best in that film.”
Giving us examples of his films like Subramaniapuram (2008), Naadodigal (2009), Sundarapandian (2012) and Bramman (2014), most of which have been village-based subjects, Sasikumar says each of them have been been different in their own way. “They aren’t the same stories and have worked well at the box-office, making me what I am today. When you see these movies don’t you think about your roots or where you come from? I know that the audience expect to such films from me; men in small towns see me as one of them. And that’s what I want,” he points out.
Sasikumar is all praises for Prasad and he inists that new talents should be encouraged. “I believe in giving opportunities to the new lot of filmmakers. It’s easy to strike a rapport and I love to have a healthy interaction with them,” he smiles.
After many releases as an actor, quiz him on when he will wield the microphone again, he grins and says, “The filmmaker in me is alive, active and kicking. But, he’ll come out only when necessary. When I'm acting I give suggestions when asked.”
So, is he directing his next? “It’s too early to talk about all that; but I miss directing films.”