Aadhi Pinisetty Interview: We didn’t take the pressure of how to make Sabdham better than Eeram

For Aadhi Pinisetty who is reuniting with director Arivazhagan after 16 years since the release of their critically acclaimed Eeram, it feels surreal that their reunion is once again for a horror film, Sabdham. While there is no denial that Eeram has become one of the much-appreciated horror films in Tamil cinema that did away with the cliches that the genre comes with, Aadhi recalls an experience while working in the film:

“One day, the shoot went up till 3 am, we were filming in which my character (Vasudevan) enters the apartment and sees Ramya dead in a bath tub. After finishing it, I came back to the apartment I was living in alone. I had gone into deep sleep, when I heard people banging my door. I woke up to realise that my apartment was filled with water. I swear, it was very similar to the movie scene, and when I opened the window, I saw a watchman telling me that there has been a water leak and flooding my apartment. I realised that the kitchen tap was open. Imagine shooting for a similar sequence and coming back home to witness it happen in real.”

Also read: Sabdham director Arivazhagan Interview: I’m aware that comparisons with Eeram are bound to happen 

Aadhi Pinisetty Interview for Sabdham: The world of paranormal investigator was new to me

But does Aadhi believe in ghosts and supernatural presence? The actor says he used to, but after playing a paranormal investigator in Sabdham and studying for it, he adds, “After knowing how they use scientific way of approaching, conversations with spirits and energies, I see there could be some invisible forces, perhaps it could be there? Not that I believe in it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if is proved someday.”

'The director is very keen to cater to audience of today'

For Aadhi and Arivazhagan to reunite once again, and for a horror film, the actor says that the foremost reason was the director. “He is a wonderful filmmaker and I like the world he created. The character of a paranormal investigator was new to me. What that guy does is also very interesting, his approach towards how he communicates with spirits. It is all very scientific. After hearing all this, and when the world is new, I felt that audience will be able to see something that they haven’t before and would appreciate. When I heard the story, I felt that and which is why I wanted to be part of Sabdham.”

Also read: Sabdham trailer out: After Eeram, Aadhi and Arivazhagan are back with another horror film, now based on sounds

Having said this, Aadhi also says its unfair to compare Eeram and Sabdham even as the same team is coming back. “Even when people know us, they will come with different mindset. The director is very keen to cater to audience of today, the visuals, sounds and characters are different. We did not take the pressure of how to make it better than Eeram. We were just being honest.”

Shooting for horror films may not be as scary as we see onscreen, but only more difficult given actors are expected to pretend the presence of an absence. Aadhi says it’s the job of actors to do it, even if it is fictitious and imaginary. “We will try our best to be as honest as possible. It is all the same, just that one person is not there. It is a little tricky and funny, but once you begin doing it, you get into the groove.”

If there is one thing that he looks out for in stories, is the honesty with which the storytelling comes with. “If there is honesty in how they tell the stories, that is where I believe in stories. I look out for that. After that, it is beyond our control.”

Aadhi, who has confirmed the sequel to his 2017 film Maragadha Naanayam, says it is easy for him to adapt to the world once again even as years have passed. “It is not just me, but there is a team working behind it. When narration goes on, we understand this world which the director will create similar to the first part. In fact, it becomes much easier because it is the continuation of first part. It is only difficult to crack what to offer different, or I would say more interesting.”

Having a partner who is also an actor, Aadhi says he does have discussions with his wife Nikki Galrani. “I take their opinions, because doing that it very important and necessary. But my decisions are of my own.”

Mentioning that action with emotion is his favourite genre, Aadhi says that is something he wants to do sometime down his career. “Just action is not my thing. I need strong emotions to back it, and I am waiting for one such script.”

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