After tasting success with the thriller, Chennaiyil Oru Naal, the remake of Malayalam movie Traffic that released in 2011, this movie received good reviews from the critics of the movie industry. The movie promoted a social cause of organ donation and revolves around the life of an actor, journalist and traffic inspector. After Chennaiyil Oru Naal the team has come up with Chennaiyil Oru Naal part II. This time the story revolves around Coimbatore city and actor Saarath Kumar was in town for shooting the last portions of the movie. SimpliCity in a conversation with the multi faceted actor, spoke about his role in Chennaiyil Oru Naal part 2 and much more.
Ashwathi: Chennaiyil Oru Naal was well received what audience can expect in part 2?
Sarath Kumar: Chennaiyil Oru Naal was gripping thriller which kept the audience at the edge of their seats throughout the movie. Part 2 will also be expected to garner a similar response, however we hope it only gets better. The movie has been attributed an interesting screenplay by John. Chennayil Oru Naal Part 2 starts with a poster which creates a curiosity as to what it is about. The movie ends with a message for the public. I play the role of Vijay, a policeman who investigates and solves the case in one single day.
Ashwathi: What is the secret behind your fitness?
Sarath Kumar: Fitness is basically a habit for me. Just like having tea or coffee doing exercise is part of my daily schedule. My father was a boxing champion and he was very keen regarding fitness. He inculcated the habit in me. I feel that in order to do anything our life we should be fit. It is like a basement for us. If we are not fit we cannot do anything, it is as simple as that.
Ashwathi: All your movies have some connection with Coimbatore, any specific reason for that?
Sarath Kumar: I cannot say all my movies have that connection. But all my good movies have a connection with Coimbatore as we would have shot in nearby locations like Pollachi, Sathyamangalam and Gobichettipalayam. Coimbatore has been lucky for me always.
Ashwathi: Your wife, yourself and your daughter all are part of the media industry how does it feel?
Sarath Kumar: As far as I am concerned I came to cine industry accidentally. I did my Bachelors in Mathematics then I grew to be a journalist and then accidentally, an actor. But my wife she is senior to me and she is one of the best rated actors in the country. Be it lengthy dialogues or difficult scenes she always does it with ease. She is a born actress.
Ashwathi: In the first part of the movie, you aimed at creating awareness regarding organ donation, how far has the message been received by the audience?
Sarath Kumar: A lot of people were well aware of the issue prior to my work as well. However, it gives me great happiness that I could contribute something through my movie to this cause. Today we can see lot of relatives of brain dead patients coming forward to and donating their organs. In fact I have donated my organs at Shanti Medical centre in Guruvayoor. Everyone should know that it could save a life.
Ashwathi: How do you balance yourself in Acting and Politics?
Sarath Kumar: I basically keep body fit and keep my mind very active. I feel be it failure or success both are equal. For the last two and half years, I have gone through lot of difficulties in life. Be it financial losses or set back in my political career. But I managed calm and kept doing my work. I never like to sit and sob over failures. I accept challenges and risk in life. Once I had fallen from a height of 70 feet and was seriously injured, breaking C4 and C3. My vocal cord got paralyzed and everyone said I cannot act in movies, ride a horse or drive a car. But I exercised, strengthened my neck and rose despite umpteen hurdles.
It was during Natpukaga movie shoot that I lost in a constituent while I was in DMK. I was upset but on my way back I called K.S.Ravikumar and confirmed the shoot for the next day. I always believe you should keep moving on no matter what.
Ashwathi: A lot of youngsters aspire to work in the movie industry. Any advice to them?
Sarath Kumar: The film industry is wide open for everyone. If you have the talent and determination, you will succeed. Failures will be there but you should learn from them. It is a part and parcel of life. When you fail in something, do not sit back. Instead, try figuring out where you went wrong and try to correct your mistakes. The industry is giving a fair chance to everyone. There are a lot of young producers and directors who are doing well. The movies now are no more hero centric but story centric.
Ashwathi: Do you think in recent times movies with a social cause are more popular as compared to commercial movies?
Sarath Kumar: A lot of movies are being made with a social cause. But it should not be like sermon. People come to the theater to enjoy those three hours and so they should be given something they can appreciate.
Ashwathi: Any plans of sharing screen space with your daughter?
Sarath Kumar: If any script comes across which will require me to act with her then, definitely.
Ashwathi: Any upcoming projects?
Sarath Kumar: Right now Chennaiyil Oru Naal Part 2 shoot is ongoing. Next there I have signed a movie with G.V.Prakash. I have four to five Telugu movies too in the pipeline too.
Ashwathi: One Character you would wish to portray on big screen?
Sarath Kumar: The character which I would like to portray will be that of Subash Chandra Bose.
Ashwathi: What is your take on movie critics these days?
Sarath Kumar: Due to freedom of speech given to people everyone has become film critics. In Hollywood, a person has to do a special course to become a movie critic. Every person has a different perspective of looking at a movie. You may not like a movie but I may love that movie. They just write reviews based on their taste and this affects the movie a lot. Finally due to all these reviews people end up watching movies online or in DVDs giving way for piracy.
Ashwathi: Where would you like to see yourself in upcoming years- acting or politics?
Sarath Kumar: Acting is my profession but politics is something which I am keen about. I am basically a social out looker. Right from school and college days I have been involved in strikes for the welfare of the student community. My outlook towards the society is one that breaks all barriers of cast, creed and religion. Equality is our country's strength and it should be preserved. We all are equal.
Ashwathi: Your take on current political scenario in Tamil Nadu?
Sarath Kumar: Any elected government should never be destabilized. The two major party of the state AIADMK and DMK and should maintain political stability in the state. Our late Chief Minister, Jayalalitha Amma, had vision for the state. She made so many promises to the people and always worked to fulfill them. People elected her for that. But the vested interests of some politicians are trying to let all that effort go in vain. If a party is elected by the common people of the state, that party should work for the welfare of the people.