Little Vijay Sethupathi actor Srithar (ACTOR SRITHAR)
The Tamil film industry always attracts talent. Srithar, who was born in Mannargudi on the banks of the Cauvery river, traveled to Koothupattarai, Pune Film College, Singapore, England and America to realize his dream of cinema at a young age, learned the techniques of the film industry with interest, introduced it to the Tamil film world, and created opportunities for himself as an actor. SRITHAR). We recently met him who carries the dual identity of businessman and artist and is crawling as an enthusiastic actor.
About you..?
I was born in Mannargudi. He was born in the family of the owner of a leading company known as Hotel Khasi here. My father held various positions in a famous national party. Mother is the head of the family. At the age of 15, I got interested in Bharatanatyam and learned Akalai and performed it. Subsequently, I participated in an exclusive competition for dancers held in Mumbai and won the second prize. At this moment, my childhood desire to succeed in cinema was ignited.
They reassured me that if you want to become an actor, you should join an acting training college called Goothu Pattara. I joined the workshop. There I got to know senior students like Santhosh Pratap, Makal Selvan Vijaya Sethupathi and started learning acting with interest. I also started looking for opportunities. Opportunities are not as easy as expected.
It was at this moment that I started learning the art of filmmaking because of my immense love for cinema. For this, on the advice of my parents, I joined a leading film college in Singapore and learned the art of film making. Following this, I joined Poona Film College to learn more. After this I joined the New York Film Academy in America to learn the techniques of the film industry. During this time, I set a goal to pass both acting and cinematography.
After that I traveled again with a camera in hand in search of opportunities. At this time, cinematography equipment along with new technologies were introduced in the film industry. But there was a huge gap in their availability, use and access to technology for skilled technicians in Chennai. Keeping this in mind, I am importing cinematography equipment from abroad and providing it on rent to the entire South Indian film industry at low rates. Over the past 19 years I have provided technical assistance to more than 200 films across South Indian cinema. Apart from cinematography equipment, we also introduced technical facilities including song libraries, background, etc. so that the final stage of the shoot can be completed at one place.
After learning from the experiences, I produced a small budget film named ‘Minmini’ and played the lead role.
After that I acted in a Hollywood film called ‘Short Cut’. The film was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and won Best Actor and Best Film awards.
After that, I have played the role of a police officer in the soon to be released film ‘Ongaram’ directed by Kendran Muniyaswamy.
About Ongaram movie experience..?
The story of ‘Ongaram’ is based on the life of a real life police officer in the southern part of Tamil Nadu. The director narrated the story and asked him to play the role of an honest police officer. Realizing the responsibility to ensure that no untoward incident takes place within the 33-km radius under my control, I performed with the smartness and dignity of a khaki shirt. The director described the details of the officers working in the police force, the clothes they wear, the badge they wear, their jurisdiction, etc. How should a police officer stand? How to talk to people? What to talk about? I sat through it as the director described it, acted as he expected and got praise. A scene like how to face an interrogator and his relatives who come t…
The story and incidents were woven in such a way that the public could easily understand it without going into details and space. And since it was written based on true events, I agreed to act in the hope that a revolution would take place after the release of this film. It is easily called as PCR case in rural area. This case is especially popular from Madurai to Theni.
Following that, there is a scene of a rowdy cutting a birthday cake with a strap knife and this is a real incident that happened recently in Tamil Nadu. The film also depicts the true incident of a lady who is the principal of a private college leading the students to the wrong path. I agreed to play the role of an honest police officer in this film because of many such stressful incidents.
About the actress who will act opposite you in this movie..?
Malayalam actress Varsha Viswanath has acted as a couple. He has acted in Malayalam and Telugu. This is their debut film in Tamil. Talented actress. After narrating the scenes, he immediately acted in complete cooperation with his co-actors.
What was the challenging aspect of the film?
My character introduction scene in the film was challenging. The shooting team including the director told them to wait patiently for a whole day for that scene and gave them freedom to act. After that the scene was shot. I was really awestruck by the scene while talking about the background.
How was the experience of acting in fight scenes?
Due to the role of a police officer, the fight training director even shot the fight scenes live with prisoners and criminals. It was challenging and new for me. A fight scene was also shot in a football stadium where he was confronted directly with the rioters. Fight training director Fair Karthik has set it up differently. During the two-day shoot, my health deteriorated. However, I continued acting because of the enthusiasm given by the crew. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the director for this opportunity.
About the music of Ongaram..?
Two songs in the film. Both have different musical form. Background music is more important to a film than songs. The music composer has worked hard, realizing the expectations of the director and the need of the script, and has delivered amazing music.
What kind of films are you planning to act in next?
I have been listening to stories every day. If the stories are fresh and different I agree to act in them. I want to be the hero of the story and play a compelling role.
As for your dream role trained in Koothupattarai…?
There is a desire to play many roles. There is a lot of desire to play the roles of historical heroes. Since I am familiar with Tanjore soil, I also want to play characters like Rajaraja Cholan and Rajendra Cholan. There is a desire to act in works related to the previous era called periodical film. For this I am currently learning a virtual filmmaking technique known as virtual production.
Ten years from now movies may come with such virtual technology. For this, I am currently attending training workshops and seminars in Hollywood. So far I have traveled to more than 20 countries and done many researches for this technology. The trip itself was awe-inspiring and surprising.
Regarding future plans..?
After acting in the film ‘Short Cut’, I got an opportunity to act in a new film directed by my Hollywood friends. The shooting for this will take place next year in Australia and USA.
Currently I am acting in the film ‘It Athu But But..’ Soon I have three ready-made films awaiting release.
Whatever we want to be… whatever we want to be established… I want to wisely understand and make it possible at the respective moment.
You have mastered all the disciplines in the film industry… Do you have any intention of directing a film..?
In fact, I got an opportunity to direct a film titled ‘Post Man’. But now I am completely focused on acting, so I have kept away from directing the film.
