Vikram easily internalises any role given to him: Anand Shankar

With Vikram’s much-anticipated film Iru Mugan releasing this week, I catch up with director Anand Shankar as he talks about working with the versatile actor.

Directing a star like Vikram is a huge responsibility for a director who is just one film old...

Yes it is, but I believed in the script. The film got delayed because it was hard for me to find a producer and then we finally found Shibu Thameens! My first film was Arima Nambi (2014), which is more of a thriller and Iru Mugan is a completely different film. It’s an action-based script with elements of science-fiction and so on. The expectations for the movie are quite high now and I hope I can fulfill them. Vikram is thrilled about doing something unusual, quirky and challenging. He does so much for the character, which motivates us when we work as a team. 

There are many intense action sequences, choreographed keeping the international standard of the story in mind and he did them all without any body double. I am sure Iru Mugan will work to Vikram’s advantage. Everything in the film has been done with some logic. Be it the car crash sequences or any scene for that matter. In fact, many people told me it has the sensibilities of a James Bond  film after watching the trailer.

Tell us more about the film.

When I narrated the script to Vikram, I realised that he liked it and I developed the script for him further. I have been following his films and I know his strengths. It’s an espionage thriller. Vikram plays a dual role — Akilan, the role of an Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) agent and Love, an eccentric scientist. When you have a great actor like him, you can achieve so much. He’s one of those actors who can easily internalise any role that you give him. He has executed both characters with ease and also dubbed his own voice for the Telugu version Inkokkadu. It’s hard to find actors who take this effort. We shot in and around Malaysia, Thailand, Bangkok and a few portions in Kashmir. We could have shot in other hill stations, but we wanted to show the real Kashmir to the audience. RD Rajasekar has done a fabulous job on cinematography.

So, he’s not playing a transgender villain in Iru Mugan?

Absolutely not! When you watch the film, you’ll see connection clearly. I don’t know what made people assume from a two-minute trailer. (Laughs) But I’ve been very careful about not stereotyping the character. ‘Love’ is unpredictable, and the role will always remain unique.

Has working with AR Murugadoss as an assistant in Thuppakki (2012) and 7am Arivu (2011) influenced your filmmaking?

I don’t think so, but I have always wanted to make films. I looked up at Shankar sir even before I joined Murugadoss sir as an AD. I love them equally. And yes, I have learnt a lot from both of them.

A few words about your leading ladies Nayanthara and Nithya Menen...

It was wonderful to have them on sets. They are also a part of the action sequences and have equally interesting roles to play. Every technician who worked in this film was in sync with what was happening. Nithya is a director’s delight and worked hard to deliver what the character expected of her. What more can I say about Nayanthara! She’s a thorough professional and worked like an assistant director! Her screen presence is just mind-blowing, and she pays attention to even trivial things.

What’s next?

I haven’t started writing any new script; but I am keen to explore other genres as well. I am a huge fan of Kamal Haasan sir and Superstar. I grew up watching their films and I hope to work with them some day.

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