Though he has been in the tinsel world for almost two decades, Balaji Sakthivel, the director of blockbuster movie “Kadhal”, has just found his niche in life. Kadhal’s phenomenal success got him many admirers and reputation. “Survival in the cine field is not that easy, the real situation is kind of a warship sans lifeboats and one has to survive on their own skills… if your flick clicks you become a celebrity overnight; if you fail to deliver, you are a liability”, says he. He talks less but his serene eyes talk volumes.

Q:  “Kadhal” has been on a rollicking run all over Tamil Nadu. Did you ever expect the amount of stir it created now…how is the feeling?

Ans: Yes! It’s been on a roll. We are indeed happy at the out come of the result. Actually as you all know, the theme is based on a real story. This type of subject would always click well with the audience. But, the enormity of success is something unbelievable. You know, it’s like writing exams…if you come out with flying colours, the feel of hovering over cloud nine happens for some time but the thought of next exam makes you grounded back to the reality. That’s what happened to me too.

Q: Your debut film ‘Samurai’ didn’t do well. Yet, like phoenix you rose well enough to attain stardom with ‘kadhal’. How did you accomplish that?

Ans: You are quite right. In ‘kollywood’ your take off will never ever take place if you give a not-so-good kind of stuff on debut. But, I’m the kind of guy who has possessed tremendous amount of self-belief and learnt taking things in his stride in any adversaries. And that’s what kept me going all the time. Honestly speaking, I never blame the audience for my failures. If my film gets rejected, I would think that it’s not because of its theme but for its presentation. Like an adage, the proof of planning is in its execution. An art I lacked at the time of ‘Samurai’ and accomplished at the time of ‘kadhal’.

Q: The mechanic boy ‘Karattandi’ character is so lively…

Ans: During the screen play time itself, I thought of going for a non-star for that character. Daily we come across such mischievous kids in our lives. I got this boy on a roadside and he lived in that character beyond my expectations.   Not only that boy, if you watch it closely you would find the same with the heroine’s father and uncle characters too. I’m very particular about the people who perform in my film must do the things that are very similar to those who throng the cinema halls. In my view, only dramas need actors but my movie needs performers. It is so common these days; people shoot themselves with a handy cam wherever they go. What would they shoot? They just shoot the happenings around them. This is exactly what I want my films to be reflected.

Q: Having been associated with director Shankar, a name synonym with GRANDIOSE, how come your  ‘kadhal’ look so simple?

Ans: We are like cooks and we can make both Biriyani as well as Uppuma. ‘Kadhal’ is an uppuma.

Q: You have presented some novel ideas in the movie like lovers killing the night by shuttling back and forth in a bus…

Ans: Of course it’s an outcome of our own experiences in the past. My friends and I used to come to Chennai for attending interviews. As we couldn’t afford the luxury of hotel accommodation, we did try out quite a few things. And this is one among them. Now I get plenty of calls from the commoners that they too do the similar things often in their lives.

Q: Do you regret that your movie shows too younger ones to fall in love and elope eventually?

Ans: I have no regrets at all as I show a clear title at the end regarding the story and all.

Q: How do you describe your style as a director?

Ans: One thing is for sure that I won’t work movies with hyperbolical themes. That’s definitely not my cup of tea.

Q: About your forth coming projects…

Ans: Story discussion is on…usually I do pukka groundwork before commencing a project. Well, regarding theme…it’s about ‘friendship’. That’s all I can tell you at the moment.

Q: Any memorable accolades did come your way from your own field for ‘kadhal’ apart from your director Shankar?

Ans: ‘Iyakkunar Sigaram’ K. Balachander came to my office, discussed about that movie in depth for more than one and a half hours and showered encomiums on me. Those pep talks and valuable tips rejuvenated me considerably.