Actor Sarath Kumar: If I am appreciated for doing a good role, I become the hero of that film
The Hindu
Veteran actor Sarath Kumar talks about his upcoming film ‘Por Thozhil’, what cop roles mean to him, his take on dual-hero subjects, and hitting the 150-film mark
Sarath Kumar’s father wanted him to become a cop. “My father got me enrolled in the IPS and IAS coaching centre. But just a few days in, my brother-in-law, who is a minister, told me how transfers are inevitable and of uncertainty in this career. Hence, I got into business. That’s why in my first Tamil film, Kan Simittum Neram (1988), I played a police officer,” says Sarath.
After a slew of supporting roles in titles like Varisu and the Ponniyin Selvanfilms, the actor is back to his forte — playing lead roles and donning khaki — in this week’s release, Por Thozil, co-starring Ashok Selvan and Nikhila Vimal.
Excerpts from a conversation:
My role in Por Thozhil feels closer to reality. It actually gave me the feeling of investigating a real crime. I wouldn’t call the character arrogant. He’s a seasoned cop with a rigid outlook who, looking at newbies, wonders if they’ll make the cut in the force. That’s when he comes across Ashok Selvan’s character. As someone who knows the nuances of investigation, he’s apprehensive about working with a newbie but the journey softens him.
Usually, in a cop film, there will be a villain because of whom, directly or indirectly, I would’ve been affected and there will be both a revenge angle and the motive to nab the guy. I don’t think I’ve done many films where my character gets involved in the investigation. The method of uncovering the truth, in Por Thozhil, is unique as it gets into the psyche of the killer. The film takes a deep dive into why he’s on a killing spree and what sort of a person he is. Studying these aspects was an interesting process and it felt like accessing a new style of investigation that I haven’t had the chance to portray earlier.
If the subject requires two leads, I don’t look for whether the other character overpowers mine. I listen to the entire script and if I’m agreeing to do that film, I only expect them to stick to it and keep me in the loop if any changes arise. I don’t interfere in the making as I believe actors should have a certain level of confidence in the director. What’s left for me is to do a good job with the acting.
I don’t think so, because I took a sabbatical from cinema for a few years in between for politics. Thanks to technological developments, we don’t have to be present physically to be in politics. Social media and several other channels are getting out our views to many. Everyone with a mobile is a reporter today (laughs). I am able to do that too but my profession has always been cinema and I realised how I should still be in the industry while being active in politics.