Wiser from the flaws of his earlier films, Karan strives to make success out of his film Uchathula Shiva, which is releasing this Friday. He speaks to CE about his journey.
You were once a part of almost every hit film like Nammavar (1995) and Kaadhal Mannan (1998). It’s not the same now. Why?
I’ve had long innings as a villain or a character artiste. After some point, I realised that the audience wanted to see me in lead roles. That’s when I did Kokki (2006) and Karuppusamy Kuththagaithaarar (2007) which were successful. I had plans to do three to four films a year initially, but I have reduced it to one. After Nammavar, though I got many offers to play the role of an antagonist, I gave preference to the script and my character. Another advantage was how popular my films were among women. My choice of roles makes me what I am today.
Why Uchathula Shiva?
Most things in life don’t happen the way we like them to, and that’s alright. After Arasatchi (2004), I decided to quit acting, but Kokki was successful. Life is unpredictable. When my films weren’t accepted, I took a six-month break. I watched films in theatres, started reading many books (Tamil novels/literary works). I understood the pulse of the audience. I learnt that they accept anything which is packaged differently. That’s when I listened to Uchathula Shiva’s script. I loved it, and wanted to do it. The film is all the more special because my wife Devi is producing it — a first for her. As an actor, I am excited and as a husband, I feel proud.
How did you handle failure?
Cinema has changed a lot. Ten years earlier, there weren’t multiple films releasing a week. So, films enjoyed quite a longer run. But now, if a film runs for 25 days, it’s considered a big thing. I don’t compare myself with others but with my own films and strive to do better. Every film is a lesson. Understanding the audience makes me wiser. The audience is more mature now, and and they want interesting, entertaining and relevant films that look convincing.
Tell us more about Uchathula Shiva
I refused 12-13 scripts before finalising this one. I turned down many horror films as well. This film is directed by Jaypee, and has Neha Ratnakaran as the leading lady. Vidyasagar has composed the music. It’s a light-hearted entertainer. I play Shiva, who takes life as it comes. He gets trapped in a situation and how he comes out of it is the rest of the story. I have done the stunts myself. Some of the fight sequences will have comedy elements. Basically, it’s a character-driven story, laced with humour, action and elements of thrill. More than the sensibilities of the audience, it is the director’s conviction and content that matters!
Who are your inspirations?
I started my career as a child artiste and I was popular as a kid then. Cinema means the world to me. Life changed a lot for me after Nammavar, thanks to Kamal Haasan sir.
What are your future plans?
I have been around for more than 20 years. There have been times I didn’t do films, but the audience remembered me. I don’t want to repeat what I have already done. I want to continue playing lead roles, because I worked really hard for this. A hero carries the entire film on his shoulders, whereas a character artiste or a villain has only limited scope to perform. I want to make more films which appeal to the family audience and entertain them. I want to work with newcomers as well. These young guys have lot of innovative ideas, which should be encouraged.
If you get a role like Arvind Swami’s in Thani Oruvan (2015), would you take it up?
I don’t mind playing the villain as long as I am the hero (Laughs). I want to play lead roles — whether it is a cook, thief, father, or servant — doesn’t matter!
