Showing posts with label Soodhu Kavvum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soodhu Kavvum. Show all posts
Working with Shah Rukh Khan, Kamal Haasan, Rajinkanth, Vijay helped shatter my inhibitions-Vijay Sethupathi
3:42 PM
M Suganth (BOMBAY TIMES; July 3, 2024)
Vijay Sethupathi reached a milestone of 50 films with the Tamil thriller Maharaja, which hit screens recently. The actor, who has become a pan-Indian star with films like Jawan, Merry Christmas and Super Deluxe, looks back on his journey so far, his current state of mind, his kids and how he maintains a work-life balance despite being one of the busiest actors in the country. Excerpts:
‘WOULD HAVE GONE CRAZY IF I’D BEEN CALLED A HERO WHEN I STARTED’
All I wanted was at least become a serial actor. I’m not putting down acting in serials by saying this. At that time, my thinking was that since there were so many serials being made, it would be easier for me to get a break in TV. One day, someone told me I was a hero, and I lost sleep that night. Over time, I got used to that word. And I realized that things had started moving in this direction only after I’d gradually started believing I could be a hero; I’d have gone crazy if someone had called me a hero right when I started out.
‘I USED TO FEEL EMBARRASSED TO CALL MYSELF AN ACTOR’
I used to feel embarrassed to say that I was an actor. These days, people are more accepting of acting aspirations, but that was not the case back then. Also, I didn’t know if I had the qualities to call myself an actor.
On his ‘Yes, I’ve made it!’ moment
It was when audiences started clapping when I appeared on screen in Soodhu Kavvum that I realized that they have accepted me. When I saw myself on screen after Thenmerku Paruvakkaatru (his debut film as a hero), I felt happy that I’d become a hero.
ON HOW HE GOT ATTRACTED TO ACTING
From around 2008-09, I started observing aspiring directors passionately watching and talking about films, and I realised that there was something about cinema. A series on international films in a Tamil magazine made me learn how to watch cinema.
I began with Life Is Beautiful and started watching more films. I was confident that I’d begin to understand the knack of acting one day. So, I did all the things that might put me on that path... from watching films to discussing films with those who know what cinema is.
‘I BELIEVED WHAT I WAS SEEKING WAS AROUND ME’
When I was working in Dubai, I was earning 1,000 dirhams. When I moved to another company, I got 2,000 dirhams. When I thanked my employer, he said that God fulfills all my needs, and he was just one of the people who were meant to make it happen. At that time, I was a staunch believer and trusted it completely. I still continue to believe it (he’s now an atheist). What we need is right in front of us; earlier, I did not know that, but now, I know it exists and am searching for it. It’s like in an Aladdin video game — the treasure would be hidden in select places and if the character went to a specific spot, he’d get coins or points. Likewise, I believed what I was seeking was somewhere around me. If you have a goal, the lessons you learn during its pursuit will tell you if you’re nearing your destination.
‘HAVE NOT PAID ANY PRICE FOR THIS SUCCESS; I’VE ONLY EARNED HAPPINESS’
I have only earned happiness. Maybe I might have gotten a peek behind the masks that some people around me were wearing, but I don’t really blame anyone because the fault could have even been with me. I believe that’s the maturity I’ve developed; I’m responsible for both the good and bad that have happened to me.
‘I DON’T WANT TO CREATE ONLY A GOOD IMAGE ABOUT MYSELF WITH MY KIDS’
My kids have grown up, so I think I’ve now reached that stage where I’m starting to get relieved of my responsibilities as a parent. According to me, for the first 5-6 years, you should give them motherly love, Then, for five years from the ages 17 or 18, as a father, you should give them the guidance, discipline, rebuke and a little bit of love.
I want to make my kids understand the world, life, myself, my actions, both good and bad. I try to discuss everything with them. I do not want to create only a good image about myself with my kids. So, as much as possible, I try to be open with them. It’s enough if they understand aspects about life. I always tell them not to take my words as the ultimate truth just because I’m their dad. They can decide their own lives instead of me having to do it for them.
ON HOW HE MAINTAINS WORK-LIFE BALANCE
I spend as much time as possible with my family. I tell stories to my kids. Even a couple of weeks ago, I told my daughter, who is 16, a story with a random set of words that I asked her to give me, like an elephant, a fox, a cabbage and carrot farm, a bee! I also drop her at school whenever possible. I did the first shave of my son and celebrated his milestone with a function, just like how people celebrate when girls attain puberty. I don’t post all these on Instagram, but shoot these memories on my phone, and watch them when I’m away for shoots.
‘Did Jawan for the experience of working with SRK’
I did not do Jawan expecting some quid pro quo in terms of my career. I wanted to work with a star like Shah Rukh sir and a director like Atlee. Every film Atlee has directed so far has been a hit, so I wanted to learn how he carries this success.
And, by working with a star like Shah Rukh sir, I also get to be known beyond the set of people who may have heard of me. He’s someone who I’ve looked at in wonder. So, in case I have some inhibitions or a sense of inferiority complex, working with people who I’ve looked up to — be it Rajini sir or Kamal sir or Shah Rukh sir or Vijay sir or the female actresses — helps shatter my inhibitions and grow in confidence. To stand shoulder to shoulder with them and perform seeing them eye to eye helps an introvert like me to get out of my cocoon.
Golmaal 4 is not a remake of Soodhu Kavvum-Rohit Shetty
8:09 AM
Rohit Shetty clarifies that while he had the rights of the Tamil film, he is not directing that for now...
Upala KBR (DNA; July 11, 2016)
After Hrs reported that Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal 4 is a
remake of the 2013 Tamil black comedy Soodhu Kavvum (Evil Engulfs)
directed by Nalan Kumarasamy and featuring Vijay Sethupathi and Sanchita
Shetty in the lead roles.
Now, Rohit clarifies, “Though I have the rights of Soodhu Kavvum, I want to clarify that Golmaal 4 is not a remake of that. I will make Soodhu Kavvum later. I might not even direct it myself. I might just produce it. Right now, nothing is certain. All I can tell you that it is not the script of Golmaal 4.”
Rohit and his team have been working on an original script for the franchise for the last few months. He started work on it immediately post-Dilwale. They start shooting for Golmaal 4 from October this year. It’s a project that is very dear to Rohit. He has retained the same team for the film, except for Kareena Kapoor Khan, who can’t do the film as she is preparing for motherhood. The script is funny and emotional with dollops of action and drama. Rohit will finalise the leading lady soon.
Golmaal 4 a remake of Tamil hit Soodhu Kavvum?
4:52 PM
Rohit Shetty’s next is inspired by a Tamil hit
Upala KBR (DNA; July 7, 2016)
Rohit Shetty is all set to make Golmaal 4. The film is said to be a remake of the 2013 Tamil black comedy Soodhu Kavvum (Evil Engulfs) which was directed by Nalan Kumarasamy and featured Vijay Sethupathi and Sanchita Shetty in the lead roles. But, notes an insider, “Expect Rohit to add something of his own to the script. Even the main plot of Golmaal 3 was said to be inspired by Khatta Meetha, but nothing else was similar in the film.”Now that the director’s favourite heroine Kareena Kapoor Khan is out because of motherhood, and his other favourite Deepika Padukone will get busy with Padmavati, there is a hunt for the leading lady. Amongst the few names tossed around are Shraddha Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra. It’s a performance-oriented role as the leading lady is playing an imaginary character, who only the lead character, Das can see and talk to.
The film is about three broke friends Kesavan, Sekar and Pagalavan who become Das’s assistants. Das kidnaps people (except people from political backgrounds) for ransom and has an imaginary girlfriend Shalu. They come across Arumai who stages his own kidnapping to extort money from his father and the story revolves around their deeds.”
In G4, the three friends will be played by Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor and Kunal Kemmu, while Ajay Devgn plays Das. The source adds, “The female lead (Shalu) will play Devgn’s romantic interest. This role was ideal for Kareena, but she can’t be a part of G4 as she’s due this December and G4 starts shooting in October. The scenes involving Shalu and Das have certain comic elements to it and form one of the highlights of the film.”
Record Deal: Sangeeta Ahir signs Rohit Shetty for Rs 25 cr for Soodhu Kavvum remake
8:07 AM
Upala KBR (DNA; October 7, 2015)
We live in interesting times. Directors are getting
paid as much as some leading actors, at least the younger lot like
Ranveer Singh, Sidharth Malhotra, Varun Dhawan and Arjun Kapoor. Rohit
Shetty has been paid the princely sum of Rs 25 crore, for Sangeeta Ahir’s next, a remake of the Tamil movie Soodhu Kavvum.
Branded with money
Says a source, “Sangeeta wanted to get a top director for her production house and that doesn’t come cheap. Rohit Shetty is being wooed by the biggest studios. And this isn’t a new development. He was signed by UTV for a similar amount, three years ago. Rohit delivers hits and every actor in the country wants to work with him today, so whatever he charges is justified. Perhaps the only other director who get paid more than him is Rajkumar Hirani, but he isn’t available as he is tied to Vinod Chopra productions and takes a percentage of the profit, rather than charge a fee. This is also a model followed by Rohit but with Sangeeta, he chose to charge a director’s fee rather than come on board as a co-producer.”
Sangeeta says, “Yes, we have paid Rohit an exorbitant price. It’s the highest fee given to any director, but then it works as Rohit Shetty is a huge brand in himself. It’s a comedy film and his forte, so people want to see it. Right now, it is still in the scripting stage. We haven’t approached any actor as yet. I am waiting for Rohit to return from Hyderabad where he’s shooting for Dilwale and then we will finalise everything.” When quizzed about the Rs 25 crore fee, she simply says, “Yes.”
Trending trade
Taran Adarsh says, “Rohit is a brand today. Even the common man knows Rohit. While they go to see a film, and hear it’s directed by Rohit Shetty it makes it a bigger and better experience for them. If Rohit is asking for astronomical fee and getting it, why not? He has consistently given the maximum number of and many Rs 100-crore films. Today the economics of the box office has changed — from Rs 100 to Rs 200 cr now, box-office is hitting the Rs 300 crore mark so there’s an upward trend for directors too who become partners, stake holders or charge higher. That’s how Bollywood is functioning these days and every top director is upping his fee with every successful film. Rajkumar Hirani was a stake holder in PK. Overseas, too, is a huge market today. Not just India, PK has made 5 million HKD and Rs 100 crore in China which is unheard of! So if the film is making so much money, the director will definitely increase his price as the film is selling on his name. Why not take a substantial piece of the pie and become a partner in profits or hike fees?”
Lowering the risk
Amul Mohan adds, “The trend is not so much as hiking their fees as much as big directors turning profit-sharing producers, like Rajkumar did with PK and Rohit Shetty did with Chennai Express. Rather than taking a nominal fee, it makes sense for well-established, successful directors to get into it as profit-sharing partners. For a big director, once he reaches the Rs 10 crore fee, it stagnates because it doesn’t make sense for the producer to pay him more, hence the profit-sharing bit comes in. Or like Sangeeta Ahir’s film where he’s paid a humongous amount. A director would rather make big money in one film than sign two or three films for Rs 6-8 crore or a profit-sharing film which may flop where he doesn’t then recover anything. To cover up that risk he may sign one film for a huge amount. Or like directors Abbas-Mastan who turned producers with their latest hit Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)