Director Samuthirakani is the talk of the town now.  After tasting success in Nadodigal, the film-maker is set to go places.  He is to direct a Telugu and a Kannada version of the movie starring Ravi Theja.

Talking to News Today on Friendship Day, Samuthirakani shares his plan, his experiences shooting Nadodigal which is based on  travails of four friends,  and the appreciation he had received for it. He says, ‘I am in no hurry. I take things as it comes.’

An associate of K Balachander and Ameer, Samuthirakani made his beginning with Unai Saran Adainthen almost five years ago. Though the movie was received well, he did not benefit much. His patient wait finally paid off with Nadodigal.

A frank and outspoken individual, he says, ‘while making this movie, I was tense and worried about the audience’s reaction. But the movie’s phenomenal run made me happy but more careful, and anxious. Now I have the responsibility of living up to expectations. My next film in Tamil will feature Sasi Kumar in the lead. But it will be different from Nadodigal. It will be one with a message and an original screenplay’.

Samuthirakani, who played a role with negative shades in Subramaniyapuram, says, ‘ I am not averse to acting as long as I am comfortable with the role. At a time when I was busy directing television serials, Sasi Kumar offered me a role in Subramaniyapuram. All he wanted me to do was grow my hair. I just gave what he wanted, on screen. In fact, the role of Pandi (essayed by Bharani) in  Nadodigal was tailor-made for me, but I wanted to focus on direction.’

According to him, punch dialogues, mass songs or pulsating stunt sequences are not the prerequisites for a movie’s success. A film well narrated with a story that we come across in our day-to-day life with characters resembling next-door is enough.

Thrilled at the appreciation he received from his mentors such  as K Balachander and Ameer, he says, ‘They infused strength and confidence in me when I was down. But for their kind words, I would not have come out with Nadodigal’.

Heaping laurels on Sasi Kumar, he says, ‘ He is a good friend. There is an excellent rapport between us.  He is always cool and encourages talent’.