Exclusive! I can't wait to make a love story again: Selvaraghavan

The filmmaker speaks about Saani Kaayidham, his approach towards acting; besides reuniting with Dhanush, after a decade, on Naane Varuven

Selvaraghavan

For someone whose films carry an immense weight of expectation, Selvaraghavan sounds calm and composed. Kollywood, perhaps, has the largest number of directors who have been accepted by audiences as actors. Selvaraghavan is the latest to join the bandwagon. Basking in the success of Saani Kaayidham (streaming on Amazon Prime Video) and Beast (streaming on Netflix and Sun NXT), he says with a peal of laughter, “I am overwhelmed by the response of people who had nice things to say about my acting skills. The fact that I am an actor is yet to sink in. I felt like a newcomer. I was nervous. The camera fright— it rarely spares anyone!”

A childlike enthusiasm radiates from his voice as he gushes about his first day on the sets of Saani Kaayidham. “I never thought I would learn so much being in front of the camera. I found the process both fascinating and gratifying. Initially, I felt doubtful. I didn't know how people would react to my performances. It took a while for me to embrace my insecurities,” he smiles.

However, it was tough for the first few days, Selvaraghavan admits. “I was excited about playing Sangaiah. When Arun discussed Saani Kaayidham with me, I was clear about how this film would shape up. I was mind blown by his vision. Although any actor could have played Sangaiah, Arun was adamant to have me on board. I was flattered when Arun told me he had written the role with me in mind.”

Selvaraghavan continues to heap praise on Arun Matheswaran: “He's extremely focused as a director. Seeing him work was like watching myself 20 years ago. He's driven by passion. Arun never comes up and tells me how to do a scene. Instead, he makes you search for the truth in that scene.” To take on a character with utmost honesty is something that Selvaraghavan holds sacred. “Acting is like an ocean. One can never absorb it. You need to make a constant effort to do better every time; so that your craft improves subconsciously!”

How did Selvaraghavan approach his role, Sangaiah? “As an actor, I don’t know what I am doing, and if I think I have achieved it, it means I am doing some predetermined thing. The effort is to do something that I enjoy. I just gave it all that I had. It's more instinctive, and hard to put in words. I thought I was Sangaiah and responded to situations. I had nothing else in my mind. Also, I was keen that I didn't really ‘act’.”

He quickly adds, "Although I have some of myself in my characters, I made sure that Sangaiah did not sound like Selvaraghavan. Though acting is believed to be easy and simple, to depict a character simply is tough.”

Take the scene where Sangaiah breaks down, for instance; Selvaraghavan explains, “I felt his pain. Losing a child is never easy. I internalised those emotions and delivered what was required of me. It is all about feeling genuine emotions for the character.”

Was his role emotionally draining? "Not really. The terrain was tough. It was a little challenging to shoot action sequences at five in the morning. Otherwise, it was a new experience for me!”

Does he take his characters home? “Mostly, I am completely blank when I go for the shooting. And, when I step into my home, I am no director or actor. I am just Selva,” he grins.

But Selvaraghavan does acknowledge the high point of creativity in cinema is filmmaking. “That's a different high altogether. As a director, you have absolute control over the medium.” At the same time, the filmmaker states he enjoyed being on the sets of Saani Kaayidham. “Arun let me be Selvaraghavan. And, that was most important of all. It was peaceful as I didn't have to think about what the next shot was going to be,” he laughs.

Selvaraghavan believes the language of cinema is changing, and so is the way people appreciate films. “It’s happening worldwide. Theatres will always be there and, primarily, I want to do films for theatres. The OTT space and theatres will coexist. The growth of the OTT platforms has opened up new avenues for audiences to watch and appreciate films from other parts of the country. Ten years before, such a concept never existed!”

For Selvaraghavan to act in a film/script, what must it have? “It doesn't matter even if I am approached for one or two scenes. As long as I feel excited it doesn’t matter whether I am doing big or small roles.”

So, has the direction taken a backseat due to his acting commitments? Selvaraghavan breaks into a smile, “I am as passionate as I was when I started. Directing, of course, comes first any day, and I find it liberating. I can't wait to make a love story again. I'm tired of gangster stories.”

What did Dhanush tell Selvaraghavan after watching Saani Kaayidham? “We never discuss films at home, but I called him once, after the shoot. I didn't know what to do after my shot. I asked him if I should be in the same mood or do something else to divert my mind. I bugged him with such questions,” he laughs.

What can he tell us about Naane Varuven? The film marks the reunion of Dhanush and Selvaraghavan after a decade. “We are done with the shoot. It's not an easy script, but I had fun working on it. It was such a joy to direct Dhanush, after a long time. Those days, it used to take a while for him to warm up to the role. Now, he grasps things quickly, and transforms into a different person, in seconds. He is what he is, after all. Need I say more?”

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