Actor Shiva awaits the release of his first feature film ‘Mr Success’
The Hindu
Coimbatore has a long-standing presence in Tamil cinema through its filmmakers, technicians, and art
Coimbatore has a long-standing presence in Tamil cinema through its filmmakers, technicians, and artists. The city, which once housed bustling film studios, might not be the power centre for films it used to be. But its import of talent has scarcely stopped. The latest in this lineup is Shiva Pritham, who is awaiting the release of his first feature, Mr Success, by first-time filmmaker Vijay Chakravarthy.
The trailer of the film was released by veteran filmmaker K Bhagyaraj last week at Blacksheep Digital Awards 2022.
Though Mr Success will mark Shiva’s debut in feature films, he is not empty of experience and skill. He played one of the leads in YouTube channel black pasanga’s web series, Kaal Kattu. He has also featured in several short films and music videos. To upskill himself, he joined Koothupattarai two years ago.
Shiva’s story of how he got into acting is not unique. “From an early age, my parents put me in various extracurricular activities. When I was at college (he did Robotics and Automation Engineering), I thought I should explore the artistic side of me. So, I got myself involved in music videos and short films my friends made.”
The story of an engineering graduate entering films has become a cliche in Tamil cinema. But Shiva’s answer to why he wants to be an actor is more interesting. Playing different characters, he says, helps him understand more about himself. “I am vicariously living other people’s lives and experiencing their feelings, which are different from my own feelings. By being different people, I get to access and express all kinds of emotions. It is, in a way, rejuvenating.”
Move to Chennai
Shiva chose to take up a job in Coimbatore after graduation in 2015. “There is no fixed or steady income in films, when you are starting out. I have to pay out of my own pocket for things like costumes and make-up,” he says, “So, I worked while I was hunting for chances.”