I will play a villain if am also the hero: Karan

Wiser from the flaws of his earlier films, Karan strives to make success out of his film Uchathula Shiva, which is releasing this Friday. I speak to him 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!

(The piece was originally written for The New Indian Express)