Everybody loves Santa

Unlike top comedians who shift gears to become heroes in Kollywood and were unsuccessful, Santhanam has successfully transformed into a bankable hero/producer today.

Having resolved to not stick to the comedy genre alone, the talented funnyman is all set with his third film as the lead protagonist — Dhillukku Thuttu, the quirky teaser of which is being unveiled today.

On his novel role in Dhillukku…. he says, “I play a character named Kumar, son of Anandraj and look after my dad’s shop that hires stunt materials. He is bindaas (happy-go-lucky), does not hesitate and always challenges everyone no matter what! People who play cards use this colloquial term ‘Dhillukku Thuttu’, when they come to the last round of the game after continuously losing money — my character is similar in nature!”

With the horror-comedy genre ruling the roost, is he also smitten by it? “Not really. But this is a new genre for me. There’s a cute romance and horror integrated into my film. When you watch the teaser, you will get the answer,” says Santhanam.

Will this offering have a bunch of power-packed punch dialogues as well? “I don’t repeat punch dialogues from my previous movies — I always see to it that we generate fresh ones. In this film, there’s a line I ask the ghost, which goes like this — “12 mani aanaa pei varum; 11.45 manikku nee varuvaaya? (People say that the ghost comes by midnight sharp, but will you come by 11.45 pm itself?)” (laughs)

On choosing debutant Ram Bala as the director, the comedian-turned-hero says, “He is my mentor, who gave me a chance first for Lollu Sabha on a TV channel. This is my way of giving back to my guru.”

Sharing a spooky experience with us, he also adds, “We went to Kodaikanal for the story discussion. People in the surroundings scared us saying that a ghost called ‘Mallika’ would come exactly at midnight to the place we were staying at. Some  in the group even felt it and said they heard strange sounds and ghostly images moving and were jittery! Later, I picked up the line and kept a scene in the flick with ‘Mallika pei’.”

Dhilluku Dhuddu will have Mumbai-based model Shanaya as his pair. “Usually, the director only takes a call on the selection of heroines. Only he knows who would suit the particular role. As far as this film is concerned, the story revolves around Kumar (me), and a North Indian family. While Bollywood actor Saurabh Shukla plays a marwari financier, Shanaya has been cast as his daughter, who plays a student,” he says.

Talking about Thaman’s music, Santhanam says, “He has composed wonderful numbers, and music will be a big plus to the movie. In fact, for the first time, I will be shaking a leg for a ‘mass’ number, titled Sivan Maganda. Ashok Raja, known for his tough dance steps is the choreographer for this devotional number. I pulled it off after rigorous rehearsals,” he concludes.