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'I was not in my comfort zone doing Maattrraan'

Suriya's films are always eagerly awaited as he chooses his script carefully and sees to it that each film is unique and different. His last film 7 Aum Arivu released almost a year ago at Diwali.

In his next film, the highly anticipated Maattrraan directed by K V Anand, he plays conjoined twins.

Suriya talks to rediff in the middle of shooting for Singham 2.

What was your first reaction when K V Anand narrated the story of Maattrraan to you?

I felt it was a very different and solid story, like Ayan. I know K V Anand well so I knew he would not make a tearjerker or a sad story.

It was a very entertaining and enjoyable script. It is the story of conjoined twins—who they are, what happens to them when they grow up, how they relate to each other and their father.

He has also dealt with the social issues. So, it was a wonderful mix of emotions.

The kind of effort we have put in is tremendous. Another person cannot easily duplicate what K V Anand has done.

'Maattrraan was very challenging for me and the entire cast'

What was it like acting as two different personalities joined together?

It is like each person's emotions affect the other person. It is not like two different people in the same room, as these two are attached.

Every movement of one person, every dialogue of one person disturbs the other. It was very challenging not only for me but also for the entire team to capture that.

How did you prepare yourself for the role? Did you read about them?

You just can't copy anyone. There are about 10 lakh conjoined twins in the world and they are all unique.

K V Anand designed a pattern for these two and the way they behave in each situation. I just followed that. I could not deviate from what he had envisaged. I could not do whatever I liked to do as the way conjoined twins react and move is totally different from how a single person does.

In each situation, I had to convey certain things that K V Anand had researched and planned. There was no way I could change the emotions. He had researched the subject for four-and-a-half years.

I could not get the feeling like let me do something extra, apart from the story. It was not possible. Each shot had something to do with the story.

'I was not in my comfort zone'

So, was it easy for you with the director giving you instructions all the time?

Sometimes, that also becomes challenging. You are not what you are; you have to be a totally different person. You are not in your comfort zone.

One twin was like, for example, Michael Vasanth of Aayutha Ezhuthu. But the other person was totally different; I have neither come across nor have I experienced what he went through.

I had to look at some of my friends who are very vulnerable and unpredictable for some hints.

Were you not in your comfort zone when you were doing this film?

In a way, I was not. I also feel that it is only when you come out of your comfort zone that you grow as an actor. I saw this film as a learning experience and a challenge.

I enjoyed the experience of acting in the film. I also felt I behaved like a person totally different from me.

Are there other characters you have played where you had to move out of your comfort zone and be that character?

Chinna, the hunchback I played in Perazhagan, was one. He was not at all me. I had to be a totally different person.

I don't talk or behave like Sakthi in Pithamagan. But these characters have impressed people.

Similarly the Akhilan in Maattrraan is also not me. He is one who really enjoys life all the time, and is never bothered about others. For him, only his life and his problems matter. He is not like me at all.

'This is the first time I have dubbed in Telugu'

How different was playing conjoined twins from playing double roles?

I have done double roles in Vel, Perazhagan, 7 Aum Arivu and Vaaranam Aayiram. But they are all different from Maattrraan. In all those films, I had to play two different characters and with directions from the directors, I could make them look different.

While playing the conjoined twins, one has to remember the body language of the other guy as the two are attached. So, their reactions and movements are connected. Both the bodies have to be in sync. You dance and fight with another person attached to you. You are not alone any time; somebody is with you day and night.

How was the shooting done? Did you shoot as one person first and immediately after that, the other one?

One person's portions were shot first and after 30-40 days, the other person. It was tough to remember the emotions and what you went through when you shot a month ago.

Your brother Karthi has dubbed for your Telugu version?

Yes. That was a big help for me. I was really working hard. Then, he said, you dub for the lengthy role and I will dub for the other part. It was very sweet of him.

He has done five films in Telugu and dubbed for all his films. This is the first time I have dubbed in Telugu.

'I try to do something different all the time'

Did the release of Chaarulatha, also about conjoined twins, so close to the release of Maattrraan, upset you?

You can't feel that way. It is not that this is the first film on conjoined twins in the world. People might have seen all those earlier films.

We are least bothered about any other film coming before us because we are confident that our film is different.

When you and K V Anand came together in Ayan, it was a huge commercial hit....

That is because he doesn't like to compromise on anything. And, above all, he likes to entertain people. He is also aware of the cliches, so he keeps saying, let's do something different.

That keeps pushing him and he makes it a point to do something new. Yes, when you try to do something new, you will be criticised and scrutinised. 

Expectations are quite high from your films as you have tried to do something different all the time.

Yes, I try to do something different all the time. I also try to do something better each time. I think this film is much, much better than whatever I have done before, technically and otherwise.

'I have not even reached the halfway mark'

How do you react to your films, Ajith's films, and Vijay's films being described as 'big' films?

They are 50 films old and I am far below with 26 or 27 films. I have not even reached the halfway mark. I also came to this industry a decade after them.

I don't know how my films have become big. Yes, I know it is happening, maybe because the market and the market exploitation is getting bigger.

You enjoy it when people describe your film as 'big' but it comes with a bigger responsibility. 

Does this put pressure on you when you sign a film?

Pressure comes with responsibility. I have to see to it that my films cater to all sections of society and not just the multiplex audience. In Tamil Nadu, most of our theatres are single screens with 1500 seats, from the lowest ticket to the balcony. We have to make films for all of them. We have to have a balance in the script so that all are connected to it. The film cannot be for one segment and one sensibility.

So, if the market is big, you have to think of all the sections. It has to be a nice mix of all ingredients. That is why I do films that entertain everyone and I am happy doing these films. 

After Raktacharitra, you have not acted in any Hindi film.

I am quite tied up and happily committed to some projects here. Right now, I am not thinking about Hindi films. In the near future also, I don't see myself doing any Hindi films.

'I still feel butterflies in my stomach before my films release'

Remakes of your Ghajini and Singham were huge hits there. How do you feel about it?

It brings a smile to my face, that's all. It is nice to see our films being made on a higher platform.

Even after so many years and so many films, do you have butterflies in your stomach before the release of your film?

Of course, I do. We all work so hard for a film. I have spent one- and-a-half years of my life on this film. I think we have all given our best.

Do you go to the theatre and watch with the audience?

I go to the theatre but only after a couple of days. I don't force myself to go. But I look for feedback from people. Only if you get both the plus and minus from the audience, will you know how the movie is.

Nobody is completely right and nobody is completely wrong. So, you get to know what they want and learn about their likes and dislikes.