Punctuality exists neither as a word nor a personality trait in the film industry. And then there is actor Karunakaran — soon to make his small screen début — who arrives for a press meet well before the invitees make their presence felt.
One reason, the actor says, is that he does not like to rush things. “... which is why after Monster ’s (a film he co-starred with SJ Suryah) success, I’ve made a conscious decision to not sign films in a hurry. Even if I only do five films a year, they have to be quality ones,” says Karunakaran, who rose to fame in comical roles he did in such films as Yaamirukka Bayamey and Jigarthanda (2014).
While he has also proved his mettle in roles that demand a merited performance from the actor essaying it — Soodhu Kavvum (2013) and Uppu Karuvaadu (2015) are examples — stepping into television was a whole another ball game. “Watching content on TV is easy but I realised how tough it was only after I got involved in making one,” says Karunakaran, who will be hosting Asaalta Alaravidum Pullingo on DTamil (an entertainment channel from Discovery Network). The programme has Karunakaran provide voice over and funny interludes to fail videos (similar to Tom Bergeron in America’s Funniest Home Videos ). Excerpts from an interview:
It has been a while since your last film released. What do you have up your sleeve?
I had given bulk dates for this film, Panni Kutty , which is directed by Anucharan Murugaiyan. I’ve come to realise that for certain films, we can afford to spend as much time and still enjoy the process of filmmaking. Panni Kutty is that for me. It has screenplay by ‘ Kaaka Muttai ’ Manikandan.
But ‘ Panni Kutty’ has been in the making for a long time...
The artistes part of the film have all been busy. ( Panni Kutty also stars Yogi Babu, Ramar, Thangadurai and others) It was tough to get the combination of our dates. But it is an amazing script. Nalan [Kumarasamy] also saw the film, and from the footage he saw, he told me I should be doing more prominent roles in Tamil films.
So, are you suggesting that Nalan cast you in his next film?
(laughs)... That’s what I asked him. Yes, I’m in discussion with him over his next film. He (Nalan) too has taken a long rest since his last movie.
Any other project in the works?
I have Katteri with Vaibhav and Teddy with Arya. There is also SK14 (Sivakarthikeyan’s yet-to-be-tiled film with director R Ravikumar of Indru Netru Naalai fame). I play a lengthy role in the latter. There is also Maanaadu (Venkat Prabhu’s film with Silambarasan), which looks like it is starting again. I have given a bulk schedule for it. I wish it starts soon.
Why the decision to move into television?
It was actually a casual interaction with a mutual friend that led me here. When they offered me this assignment, I was sceptical. I had turned down many offers to host programmes previously. After sitting on it for a couple of weeks, I consulted VJ Ramya and Rakesh, who are good friends. They gave me the confidence.
We were told that the show’s producers asked you to tweak your style a bit...
Yes (laughs). When they saw me first, they thought I was presenting as though the studio was a lab. They were probably wondering how I was going to host a comedy show. Then I learnt that I had to use my hands a lot while hosting.
Will television be a permanent fixture in your schedule henceforth?
No (laughs). I will wait for feedback from the audience and the channel, and take it from there. It is as much a pilot project for me as it is for the channel.
Are you also working on the web series platform?
Yes, I have completed shooting one for Kavithalaya. It is in post-production and it has five leads. I play one of them alongside Bharath, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Sanjana and stand-up comic Alexander Babu. I think it should be ready in the next two or three months.
Asaalta Alaravidum Pullingo premières in DTamil on November 16 at 1 pm and 7 pm
Published - November 07, 2019 06:29 pm IST
