Right from his debut flick Parutthiveeran, Karthi has proved his versatility with his choice of quirky and challenging scripts. Dire contrast to his earlier high action flick Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru, where he portrayed a tough cop, Karthi has taken a ‘farmer’ avatar in Kadaikutty Singam directed by national award winner Pandiraj scheduled to hit the marquee on July 13. The Telugu version is titled Chinna Babu.
“I chose this role to inspire the younger generation to take up agriculture and find their roots,” Karthi tells DC even as he opens up exclusively about the film and why his bro Suriya decided to bankroll it.
“I think I was destined to act in Kadaikutty Singam as Pandiraj sir who hails from a family of farmers had the line (of the story) for a long and he even registered the title. Many in the industry are aware of this story. When it came to me, I just grabbed it. I play Guna Singam, the youngest of the lot with five sisters before me. Sathyaraj mama (that’s how he calls him) will be seen as my dad. It is totally a fun filled family drama and like Pandiraj sir’s earlier movies this would also go well with all types of audiences,” Karthi starts his conversation.
Though on farmers, KKS is not exactly about the plight of farmers. “The movie does not talk much about the darker side of farmers, although their present predicament is touched upon. When you are talking about society, there deemed to be some political issues. But, they are well within the script. The main aim of this movie is to bridge the gap between rural and city youth who are largely disconnected from agriculture.”
Sharing his experiences after enrolling in ‘I Learn Farming’ farming school to learn the agricultural techniques, Karthi said, “I came to know of a particular organic farm where they take up farming initiatives and train city based children and IT students of various agricultural activities, from plough to sowing seeds and watering and cultivating them in with chemical free organic methods. I visited them with family for a day (smiles)”
The Sirutthai actor says that Suriya producing his movie was incidental. “My anna also knows this story. When I was brought on board, he felt that this story needs to be told and hence was particular that he produces it.”
Ask him if he commanded the same market salary to his bro, pat he replies. “Of course! I also have a family to run (laughs). Jokes apart! That way, anna was professional and paid me what I deserve. He also spent whatever is needed for the script.”
Suriya’s cameo role in the movie was just unplanned. “One day, anna came to the sets when we were canning the high-octane bullock cart race scene. Pandiraj felt that the scene would be complete with the inclusion of anna. It was not a forced one.”
On the difficulties roping in ace Sathyaraj for the film, “It was the time when Sathyaraj mama was basking in the success of Baahubali, when Pandiraj sir approached him. So, he said ‘no’ to him initially without hearing the full script. Then my dad (Sivakumar) had to intervene and things got sorted out. Mama was too happy to come on board.”
On sharing screen space with him, Karthi says, “It took some time for me to shift to calling him ‘appa’ in the film. He is so dedicated and focused. It was an enriching onscreen as well as off screen experience.”
Heaping laurels on his costar Sayeesha’s dancing prowess, he said, “Sayeesha is a great dancer. I had to rehearse for a loner time in order to match up with her steps and dance moves. Actresses Priya Bhavani Shankar and Arthana Binu also have significant roles.”
On Soori he says, “He plays my eldest sister’s son in the film and thus I am his mama (uncle). We both hang around together throughout the film. Soori also belongs to a farmer’s family in real life, so it was easy for him to gel with his character.”
