Sivakarthikeyan Talks Tamil Cinema Stardom and Avoiding Social Media at International Film Festival of India: ‘Elon Musk Might Block My Account’

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As a movie critic with a soft spot for rags-to-riches stories, I find Sivakarthikeyan’s journey from computer science engineering to Tamil cinema absolutely captivating. His transformation from a college mimicry artist to a successful actor, driven by the need to escape depression and fueled by the unwavering support of his family, is a testament to the power of resilience and determination.

During a chat at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, Tamil film star Sivakarthikeyan opened up about his surprising journey from computer science engineering to the world of entertainment, sharing his story with actor-politician Khushbu Sundar.

The successful actor, who’s currently garnering attention for his military drama “Amaran,” reminisced about his early days as a mimicry artist during his engineering college years. “My initial stage performance was at my college while I was studying engineering,” Sivakarthikeyan recounted. “My friends encouraged me to step onto the stage and said, ‘Do whatever feels right, let the audience enjoy.’

After losing my father during my college days, I found solace in entertainment as a means of healing. “I was overwhelmed with grief, unsure of how to move forward. To flee from my despair, from the melancholy, I stepped onto the stage where applause and recognition became my therapy,” I reflected.

The actor discussed his deliberate transition into television in 2007, opting to take on a hosting role instead of continuing as an impersonator. “As a host,” he stated, “you appear for a full hour because they announce the show’s title, so it can’t be edited, thus providing more screen time.” This, he explained, was his strategic decision.

In a recent interview, Sivakarthikeyan praised the success of his character Major Mukund Varadarajan in “Amaran,” attributing it to the selfless actions of the real-life soldier. “He hailed from Chennai, the southernmost tip of India, and bravely ventured to Kashmir to protect its people,” he said. “In that moment, he overlooked his own family, his three and a half year old daughter. He put their safety second, proving himself as an exceptional leader. Thus, I believe the film’s triumph is a testament to his sacrifice. Sacrifice, above all, embodies the greatest heroism.

Speaking about handling industry stresses, Sivakarthikeyan admitted he considered leaving the field, but his wife Aarthi motivated him to carry on. He also spoke about his decreased social media activity: “For the past two years, I’ve been using social media very sparingly. If you wish to use it, go ahead and use the internet. However, try not to overdo your social media usage, particularly Twitter. Perhaps, I think Elon Musk might block my account, which would be the first achievement I believe for me.

The performer consistently highlighted the crucial role of familial backing during his professional shift, acknowledging his mother’s influence even with minimal formal schooling. He observed, “My mom only completed the eighth grade, yet she understands life more deeply than I do.

At present, basking in the triumph of his latest projects, Sivakarthikeyan has decided to dedicate all his efforts towards acting, choosing to leave behind directing and scriptwriting for now. He expressed his desire to “hone his acting skills” instead of potentially overextending himself by taking on multiple roles within the industry.

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2024-11-24 09:47