The trailer of Va Quarter Cutting is already creating a buzz. It packs a quick fun story in Chennai flavour, looks refreshing, and you are already in splits.
Shiva, the man in action playing Sura in the film, says there is more to come when the film releases. Written and directed by the Pushkar-Gayathri duo (who gave Orampo , a Chennai-centric film), Va Quarter Cutting is a comic entertainer about the adventures of a youth. “Sura from Coimbatore going to Saudi Arabia is the crux of the story,” says the actor. Shiva, who plays a Vijay fan in the movie, has worked on the Coimbatore slang too. “We are experimenting with a new genre — happenings in the life of a youth over one night. It has a message too, that of endurance. To put it simply, if you can patiently wait for lemon rice, you will be served a full course Andhra meal,” laughs Shiva with his trademark wit intact. The offbeat film, he says, will set new trends. “Its success will be a big boost for newcomers to make smaller budget films with fresh ideas.”
Va Quarter Cutting , slated for a September end release, has some of the big names on the technical side. The cinematographer is Nirav Shah who won appreciation for his work in the Ajith-starrer Billa , Dhoom and Dhoom II in Hindi. The film is produced by Y Not Studios and Dayanidhi Alagiri's Cloud Nine Movies.
Shiva's Tamil Padam , his previous outing with Nine Movies, a spoof on the stereotypes in Tamil films, was a big hit with the masses. “I want to play roles that a common man can relate to. Even if I play a ‘Superman', I will perform acts which the public can identify with. Tamil Padam is interesting because it presents the point of view of those fed on a diet of Tamil cinema.”
He says the Tamil film audience are receptive to new ideas. “Our film Chennai 600028 , based on gully cricket, was released in 2007, during the World Cup. Though India failed miserably in the matches, the film did make an impact, because every youth could easily relate to the story.”
The RJ-turned-actor, who also has a theatre background, says it is difficult to learn humour from an acting school. “When you feel humour in every situation, it comes naturally.”
A passionate actor, Shiva has been lucky to be associated with sensible films. “During the times when veterans such as M. R. Radha, MGR and Sivaji Ganesan ruled, there was no scope for newcomers. Today, you can shine even in a small role,” he adds.
Shiva has turned lyricist with Va Quarter Cutting . “It is for a dance number shot in Dubai where I have belly dancers dancing along to the beat, set by G.V. Prakash.”
He wants to turn director too. “My heart lies in entertaining people, be it facing the mike as an RJ or the camera as an actor.”
His strength lies in his dialogues. “I make changes and my directors, who understand my potential, have encouraged me. They are happy as long as it makes an impact.”
Shiva and the versatile Mohanlal share a liking. In an interview when asked about his favourite actor, Mohanlal had just one name — “nadiga vel M. R. Radha”. “I recently got a CD of M. R. Radha hits. His picture on the cover has an expression where all his facial muscles are in action. Something I can never replicate all my life. He is a true performer.”
