From playing country bumpkin Paruthiveeran on his debut to the rowdy Pandian, who does not see eye to eye with his father-in-law in Komban, Karthi is known for bringing life to his characters.
Naturally, audiences have high expectations for his next film, Thozha. Karthi reprises the role that fetched French actor Omar Sy a Cesar award for best actor for his work in the French film The Intouchables.
Excerpts from an exclusive conversation with tabloid!.
What drew you to ‘Thozha’?
I had to wait for nearly a year to get a good story when this came along. Initially I was not keen on doing a multi-starrer but this story of two men bonding was a new premise and I decided to explore it. After watching the original version, I was apprehensive whether I could do justice to the role of Driss. But I was impressed with Vamsi’s screenplay.
Tell us about your character.
Seenu is an underdog. While Seenu’s character is drawn from Driss of The Intouchables, Vamsi has treated Thozha as a fresh story with cultural and social changes made to suit the Indian viewer. He has kept the basic framework intact, though. Seenu is full of life, unlike Vikramadityan, who lost everything during the prime of his life. Seenu is unable to understand his frustrations and is at times even amused by Vikramadityan’s behaviour. In the original, the contrast between the lead characters was evident, one white and rich, the other black and poor. But in Thozha the contrast between the two men, their lives and their personalities had to be portrayed through their behaviour and our performances.
How was it working with Nagarjuna?
Working with Nag sir was superb. Nag sir had to constantly remind himself that Vikramadityan could not move below his neck. So to bring out the emotions of his character, he worked on his facial expressions.
This is your first Telugu film. How was the experience?
Vamsi is an emotional and passionate filmmaker. He has been living with this script for the past two years and with Thozha he has rediscovered himself. Vamsi described to me his vision of Seenu and I have interpreted him in my own way. I drew from my experiences in Madras when I interacted with the people of North Madras... it [me] helped understand Seenu.
What about working with Tamannah?
Tamannah and I have worked in two films, Paiya and Siruthai. She is Keerthi, Vikramadityan’s secretary, a beautiful and confident woman... someone way beyond Seenu’s life. Yet Seenu believes that she will fall for him. The relationship between Seenu and Keerthi is a Tom and Jerry game.
Oopiri/Thozha releases in UAE on March 24.
