A week before the release of his AAA, Silambarasan STR invites us home for an interview. True to his enfant terrible image, he chooses to have it past midnight. Excerpts:
AAA seems like a film that celebrates the performer in you, with you playing four roles.
Whatever I do, I will never be given awards, so that’s not even a criteria. I approach cinema differently now. Earlier, I would do a serious film for critics or a jolly, mass film for fans. My choice was always differentiated like that. But I think that phase has ended. From here on, I’m only interested in two things. A film has to first excite me in every way. I have to enjoy thinking about it and it should be a film only I could have done. Secondly, it should be a film my fans would like too. This phase begins with AAA.
What was it about AAA that excited you?
I pounced on it the moment Adhik (the director) described a character as a wretched villain. I felt like that’s what people expect from me anyway. They expect another ‘Beep Song’ from me but they forget that I also made a ‘Vote Song’. I made a ‘Spiritual Gana’ but people liked ‘Trend Song’ better. At the end of the day, we’re not here to conduct an ‘anna dhanam’, so we give them what sells.
How does Adhik fit into that?
He is someone who was there during the first shows of Osthe, Silambattam or Dum whistling and hooting for me. He has been a fan of mine and he knows my fans better than I do. He has delivered exactly that with AAA. '' Yen pulla, yenna madri dan irukum''.
Does that take a lot of pressure off you?
I’m not running away from pressure any more. I need it actually.
But when you start making films for yourself and for people who love you, doesn’t work become comfortable?
Not at all. It was easier earlier. I felt like I knew how to make a film work. But now, I’m trying to challenge myself because I want my fans to enjoy every film. It’s certainly more difficult, but I’m happier now. Earlier, I was doing all this for people I didn’t care for. I’m happy even if my film releases in just four theatres now. I’ll be happy even if all my films flop, so I can do something else I enjoy.
What has brought about this drastic change in you?
I’m not here to prove anything to anyone. It felt like I was always fighting with everyone, including myself. Then I realised, who should I fight? What Jesus said about showing the other cheek didn’t make sense to me then but it does now. If you want to slap me, please go ahead. I’m no longer trying to be the next Rajini and I’m not running a rat race anymore. Even if I’m running, it’s because I’m enjoying it...not because I want to come first.
Are you happy with the new Simbu?
I’m glad I changed. I would have been admitted to an asylum if I had not. I’ve come to know who I really am. Isn’t that what you call your spiritual journey?
People say you’re not punctual on the sets but that you still manage to finish your work before other people.
I think I’ll be in trouble if I start going to the sets on time (laughs ). Even if I go late, don’t I do justice to my role? If I’m so irresponsible, then why do these people still want to make a film with me? Did I beg them to take me in their film?
Even when they talk about your talent, they say you hardly do justice to it.
It’s because I’m not punctual that you guys write about me no? Who will talk about me if I start coming on time?
Yet your fans are most loyal. They stood by you even when your film didn’t release for three years.
My fans feel my talent and hardwork haven’t been given due respect. They feel that I keep getting degraded needlessly. So they stand by me in solidarity through the tough times. But I have never understood this loyalty and even the industry hasn’t. I feel bad because I feel I haven’t done anything for them... it makes me emotional.
Do you think there’s a disparity between the person you are and the image that’s been constructed of you?
Yeah but I like it. If they know my real character, I wouldn’t have become a star. No one would have liked me. People love to think the worst about me.
But hasn’t that image faded? Isn’t your reputation better now?
I am very afraid of that.
