Here is a good looking director who did not get tempted to act in his own film, despite the fact that his entry into Kollywood was through lead roles and television serials. “Since 1997 I have acted in four films — Indru Mudhal, Kathal Saregama, Athu Oru Kanakalam and Thoovanam , and the series of short stories on television, KathaiNeram . But I have always nurtured a desire to direct and having waited this long, I didn't want to mess up the film by taking on the added responsibility of acting in it. Even while acting in films, I have always been curious about directing techniques, camera positioning, lighting, etc., and have learnt a lot by just observing and asking questions,” says Kaushik whose Adhiyum Andhamum releases on March 14. He learnt a lot about direction while assisting director Haricharan on a biopic, after playing a role in his Thoovanam .
Ajaay, the producer and hero of Adhiyum Andhamum, and Kaushik have known each other for some time and when the former launched his production company in 2010, Kaushik was asked to come up with a script. “I had shared several story ideas with many producers, in vain. When I narrated a line to Ajaay, he immediately evinced interest and I started working on the script, which eventually became Adhiyum Andhamum . In Ajaay, I found the right actor to play the lead. In fact, he has brought the character to life, like no other. I think the experience he gained from acting in TV serials such as Kolangal has helped a lot,” says Kaushik.
Not willing to divulge much about the plot of Adhiyum Andhamum , except that viewers will see a totally different side to Ajaay, Kaushik says, “It is a psychological thriller and, besides Ajaay, two female characters, played by Mitali Agarwal and Kavita Srinivasan, are integral to the story. I do not believe in ornamental characters in my films. Of course there will be romance and songs, but these are required to take the screenplay forward to an unexpected climax. When a viewer feels he has got full satisfaction ( paisa vasool ) for the 120 bucks he has spent on the ticket, then the film is a commercial success — irrespective of whether it has item numbers, action sequences and chases or not.”
So, what next? As there was a delay in wrapping up Adhiyum Andhamum , I moved on to helming Panivizhum Nilavu featuring new faces. After Ajaay's project resumed, I had the challenge of completing both films simultaneously — a tough proposition, considering I was a first-timer. But the experience taught me a lot and now I am ready to take on bigger projects,” smiles Kaushik.
