Sathyaraj Interview: On Narendra Modi biopic, his new film 'Weapon' and resumption of cinema

Very few on-screen characters seem like an extension of their real-life personalities; Sathyaraj is a classic example. The jokes and jokes that his films are famous for are also found in his interviews. When asked to give back to back interviews, Sathyaraj laughing said, “I was answering the same questions and after a while I started looking at our production manager and started singing. 'Innum Ennai Enna Seiya Pogirai'.” But the veteran actor loves talking about movies and takes a trip down memory lane with us to discuss his extensive filmography.

Excerpts from the conversation:

Your favorite actor MGR directed 'Kalai Arasi' (1963), the first Indian film to feature the concept of aliens and the first space film in Tamil cinema. You've also directed quite a few horror films. But there has always been a shortage of such experimental films in the fantasy genre…

Fantasy films are comparatively more expensive to make and many other aspects come into play. Nowadays it also involves a lot of CG work and only after receiving the result do we know what the product looks like final. It takes a certain sense of confidence to make a fantastic film and that's probably why we've had very few in between. I feel Armed will start a trend.

How different are films like “Weapon” from the classic films you've made?

In Armed, I did what was expected of me, but I'm waiting to see the final version of the film to see how it turned out. I was impressed with the editing of the trailer and can't wait to watch it among the audience. Armed has enough material to have its own cinematic universe, concepts we've only seen in Hollywood. This type of film is also aimed at children and they must obviously be accompanied by their parents. (Laughs). If this turns out to be a franchise, it will become a comfortable space for experienced actors like me, much like Harrison Ford in the film.Indiana Jones film series.

I was pleasantly surprised by the producer's conviction with this project. To be honest, I know I'm not a marketable actor who centers a film around me; I'm just a busy character artist. While I'm comfortable with the type of roles I get in films with their own lead actors who decide the affairs of the film, I don't know what a film starring me would be like. I owe it to the confidence of the producer.

Is it easy to pre-visualize such a film from the narration phase?

From the first day of filming, I was told to prepare an action sequence and I thought it would be another mundane sequence. But they shot it impressively for a week and that gave me confidence in this film. The usual family dramas I did with Goundamani Anna and Manivannan were so noticeable that even during the narration phase, we knew the segments that would make people laugh, cry or applaud. In films like Armedyou only know after seeing the final product and the credit goes to the creativity of the director and the fearlessness of the producer.

Back then, someone like P Vasu sir narrating an emotional sequence would make me and actors like Prabhu cry. Filmmakers like Manivannan would have clear ideas or someone like R Sundarrajan would sing while narrating the script, and we knew Ilaiyaraaja would deliver some lovely tunes. If it could handle the majority of the heavy lifting, Goundamani's comedy would take care of another big chunk. I had stalwarts like them to bank on, but films like Armed which are mounted around my character for a new and incredible experience.

Where does this understanding and self-awareness of your market come from?

It's been 46 years since I entered this industry….but I don't think I would be a good example to others. Anyone can jump into a new business with immense confidence, but I do it with uncertainty (Laughs). That's probably why I'm always relaxed. 47 years ago, before I left for Chennai, my friends were pulling my legs, asking me if I would become like MGR and Sivaji. I just wanted to try and even if acting didn't work out, I knew I could become a production manager or something. A successful business is great, but I always prepare for worst-case scenarios.

My initial idea was to get small roles and they earned me around Rs 5,000 per film, which would probably be the equivalent of a lakh today. Little did I know that I would become a cutting-edge villain who would go on to make over a hundred films as a hero! Mentality Ennoda ku idhuve adhigam (it was way more than my mentality deserved). In the mid-2000s, I was struggling as a lead actor and kept getting character roles that offered me five times the salary I was making as a hero…but I continued to reject them. When the ship finally landed and I was forced to go ashore, I began playing various character roles which have continued over the past 15 years. There is so much difference between Baahubali's Sathyaraj and love todaySathyaraj.