Sivakarthikeyan on ‘Doctor’, the lessons he learned from ‘Hero’ and why Siva 2.0 is launching now

Sivakarthikeyan has not been weighed down by the brand he has built in a span of nine years as an entertainer. It is another that he does not see it as a ‘burden’, even though it is a staple of the mindless entertainers with whom he is often associated, notwithstanding notable exceptions.

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He gives a relatively practical and measured answer to the question of sticking to Sivakarthikeyan’s framework.

“If I’m Able to Produce” doctor What was needed in a budget, and also be a part of films like hero, it is only because of the success and wealth of those entertainers. Earlier hero‘I don’t think I would have made any such effort, but after its release, I decided to make sure those efforts were not in vain,” Sivakarthikeyan says over a steamy cup of hot chocolate, as we See you in the cafe. City.

Siva 2.0, if we call it that, is a strenuous effort to strike a balance between regular entertainers and films that make a fresh attempt at storytelling or healing. one such attempt was hero (2019), which, Shiva says, was his “lowest” in terms of box-office figures. During the lockdown, Siva took some time out to use his choices and watch his films with an objective lens.

in regard of hero, Siva feels it turned out to be an information-pack devoid of entertainment value, even if critics gave it a thumbs up.

A hat-cruder was fighting for a reason, his character’s upgrade point was delayed; It should have come at a lag point, he says. “This [Hero] There was a lesson in presenting a subject in an entertaining way for the audience. let’s take gentleman, which also deals with a similar idea. But where both the films differ is in terms of entertainment. maybe the director [PS Mithran]Who is the friend, I may have reservations to make a full-fledged action movie with me, I don’t know. But I have no regrets.”

out of comfort zone

doctorThere is also a new attempt to present Shiva in a new light. This time, however, he’s working with someone he’s very familiar with: director Nelson Dilipkumar, a longtime friend with whom he’s worked in television, and assisted in the Simbu-starrer. Vettai Mannan, a gangster film with dark humor that was eventually shelved.

Nelson became a talent to watch after his directorial debut in Tamil cinema, Kolamavu Nightingale, which was a hit at the box office. But Shiva was not too surprised about this reception. Kolamavu…, knowing Nelson and his comedic sensibilities.

However, what surprised Shiva was when he received the . submitted the script doctor Nelson had a “careful” job. “I thought the script was a bit quirky,” he says, “hey” [Nelson] Taking me out of my comfort zone, but also retaining some elements to the hero image. None of this was demanded by me or Anirudh [composer]It seems that life has come full circle for Shiva on the professional front, producing doctor Nelson and starred in it.

by his own admission, doctor ventures into the Dark Zone and Siva plays a character employed in the business of organ and human trafficking – at least from the impression of its trailer. He mentioned it to be his first film with a U/A certificate.

Shiva has remained silent about whether he plays an anti-hero, but admits that he would never essay a very negative character. “More a question of whether it will suit my image or not, it is a question of whether I would feel comfortable doing it. I don’t think I am comfortable adapting to such characters,” he says.

aim for the stars

To a question on whether the idea of ​​a ‘hero’ is slowly changing, Shiva says, “There is an audience and a digital platform for everything.” Recognizing that the market is open to supporting diversity, he issues a clarification: “The extent to which I would go to be a part of films like this is something I look forward to learning with every film.” I’m trying.”

Sivakarthikeyan has produced doctor On a first-copy basis for KJR Studios, which is distributing the film in Tamil and Telugu.

There were whispers that the producers were looking for a digital release, leaving the theatre, at the height of the second wave. However, Shiva says that he was insisting on a theatrical release. Would the film have worked on OTT anyway? “It will,” he adds, “but when you’re laughing for a comedy, you laugh with 100 other people inside a theatre. It would have been a miss.”

Every year, on February 3, Sivakarthikeyan becomes nostalgic and overwhelmed at the same time watching his career from afar. it was the date marina (2012), his first on-screen appearance, was released, and the following year, Shiva would complete 10 years in the industry. “Though like two years disappeared Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kannom,” he laughs. Seeing himself for the first time on screen is one of his most memorable moments; every time he thinks about it, he pauses to introspect what he has done so far.

“To be honest, it’s been a roller-coaster ride,” he says, “though I’m completing 10 years, it feels like I’ve only just started my innings — internally and mentally.”

There was a point, Shiva says, that he took his critics very seriously, something he realized only recently. He does, however, make it a point to read everything he writes about himself, but – “I have made sure that I do not follow his words explicitly, unless it is extremely constructive.”

doctor release on friday in cinemas.