Exclusive! Sathish: It's amazing to think that the Rajinikanth-starrer which is hitting screens this Deepavali will have me in a notable role

Actor Sathish talks in detail about his OTT debut, his memories of Vivekh, working with Rajinikanth and his first film in a lead role,

Sathish

Actor Sathish, who was part of veteran actor-screenwriter-playwright Crazy Mohan's drama troupe from his teenage days, shot to fame in the last decade with films like Ethir Neechal, Maan Karate and Kaththi. Having acted as the protagonist's sidekick in several films, he is now all set to play the lead in Naai Sekar. Last seen in a notable role in Arya-starrer Teddy which had a premiere on Disney+ Hotstar, the actor made his OTT debut with Amazon Prime Video's recently released reality comedy series, LOL Enga Siri Paappom.

He is currently excited about the half-a-dozen projects he has in his kitty. In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, Sathish opens up on working with the late actor Vivekh for the series, experiences associating with the team of Annaatthe and Friendship in which he acted along with Rajinikanth and Harbhajan Singh respectively, horror-comedy with Sunny Leone and more...

You were one of three contestants who managed to reach the final round of LOL Enga Siri Paappom. But the other two were adjudged as the winners. Were you disappointed?

Not really. I didn't participate in the show with the intention to win the title. In fact, little did I know that I would be one of the last contestants to survive till the end. More than winning the show by not laughing for continuous six hours, what I consider remarkable about my performance is that I managed to eliminate five people. As I mentioned in the beginning of the show, I had no strategies and preparations when I entered the house.

You were the only contestant who didn't turn up in different costumes and bizarre looks in the series as part of entertaining housemates and the viewers. Why?

It's true that almost everyone in the house, except me, sported multiple looks as part of different tasks. I didn't do it because I just wanted to be myself there. Moreover, I felt it was not necessary to sport different looks for a six-hour binge-watch series. I had to sport 15 looks in Tamizh Padam 2 because it was a movie and the script demanded it. Now, looking at the audience's feedback on social media, I feel the decision to stay away from donning various appearances was right.  

One reason behind the huge expectations the series had was because of Vivekh's presence. The show was dropped recently, but he passed away earlier this year. How was the experience working with a legend like him?

One of the reasons which attracted me towards the show was the opportunity to work with him. I cherished the one week I had spent with him in Mumbai during the shooting of the series. We used to stay in adjacent rooms, watched IPL matches, shared food together and went for a walk in the evening. He used to say that we should all watch the series together when it gets released on the streaming platform. Now, it's painful to watch the show without him.

Can we expect you in the next season as well?

Of course, yes. You shouldn't be surprised if I appear as one of the hosts of the series in the next season.  

You had mentioned a few times in the past that you have absolutely no interest in playing the lead in a film. You are now the protagonist in the project bankrolled by AGS Productions...

I was really scared to play a hero, and have rejected a few offers, too. But I got convinced when the team approached me with an entertaining story, which has a dog, too, in an important role. Pavitra Lakshmi of Cooku With Comali fame is playing the female lead in it.

The project is said to have been titled Naai Sekar. Vadivelu's comeback project with Suraaj has been titled the same. The name is a spin-off of his 2006 film Thalai Nagaram. Who will have the last laugh?

We have immense respect for Vadivelu sir; he is one of the comedy pioneers in Tamil cinema. It's true that this controversy will be in the news for sometime. But we are currently in a position where we can't do anything. A dog plays a pivotal role in our film and the protagonist's name is Sekar. At this point, it is difficult for us to consider a new name for our project. We would have happily changed the title had we known that another project is being planned with the same name.

You are one among the host of actors who are part of Rajinikanth-starrer Annaatthe. How excited were you?

I can't say much about my role in the film. All I can say is that it's a good, fun-filled role. I have celebrated many Deepavali by watching Rajini sir's films. It's amazing to think that that the Rajinikanth-starrer which is hitting screens this Deepavali will have me in a notable role. My daughter's first birthday, too, will fall on this occasion. It will be a special day and I can't wait for November 4.

What are your other upcoming projects?

Oh My Ghost starring Sunny Leone in the lead, is the latest project I have signed. Hostel is one film I'm eagerly looking forward to. It is the remake of Malayalam movie, Adi Kapyaare Kootamani, and stars Ashok Selvan and Priya Bhavani Shankar in lead roles. I appear in most of the sequences in the movie. I'm sure youngsters will love it.  

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