The beginning of actor Sathya’s career bears an eerie resemblance to illustrious brother Arya’s. His first film, Kadhal 2 Kalyanam , is languishing in the cans, much like Arya’s first film Ullam Ketkumae (2005) did before its eventual release. His second film Puthagam (2013) became his debut, just like Arya’s second film Arinthum Ariyamalum (2005). Now, Sathya hopes fervently the similarities will continue, given how his bro’s career has leapfrogged since. Sathya believes the upcoming Amara Kaaviyam , produced by his brother, will change his one-film-old career.
Interestingly, Sathya was to have acted in what became Vijay Antony’s debut film, Naan (2013). “Director Jeeva Sankar (who also debuted with Naan ) and I go back a long way,” he says. “I couldn’t choose Naan though, as I was rather cautious after the Kadhal 2 Kalyanam debacle.” The script for Amara Kaaviyam (Jeeva Sankar’s second) was chosen by Arya. “I trust his judgment more than mine,” says Sathya. It is about a school romance set in 1988. “It is only in the beginning of an actor’s career that he can play such youthful roles.” Dhanush was fairly experienced when he acted in 3 (2012), wasn’t he? “He is an exception. In fact, the director suggested I consider him as a reference point.” The actor, who studied the body language of school students to be convincing in his portrayal, has shed more than 10 kg to look the part. He admits that he was initially sceptical about playing a school student. The director, however, assuaged his concerns, citing the example of 3 Idiots (Hindi). “He pointed out that once the film began, it didn’t matter that Aamir Khan was playing a college student. That convinced me,” he says.
The film is an intense love story, says Sathya. “It is on the lines of Kaadhal Kondein (2003), 7G Rainbow Colony (2004), and Kaadhal (2004) — an emotional journey everyone can relate to.” The actor plays Jeeva, an emotional Class 12 student. “The story is about the incidents that happen between his Class 12 exams and his first year in college.” The decision to set the story in the 80s was because romance was taboo back then. “There were no mobile phones and Internet hadn’t arrived yet. Only telephones were available; even then, you had to go through a girl’s protective family before you could talk to her,” he says. Incidentally, all the films he compares Amara Kaaviyam with were tragedies. Is that a sign of things to come? “Let’s just say it ends on a hopeful note,” he smiles.
Actor Nayanthara, a friend of Arya, was teary eyed after watching the film at a special screening a couple of weeks ago. Sathya throws a challenge, “Try watching it without breaking down.”
