Sarath Appani: Now, I am comfortable around jallikattu bulls

Actor Sarath Appani, whose next film in Tamil by Vinod Guruvayoor is centered around jallikattu, saw the bulls used for the sport for the first time during the movie’s location hunt in Palani a few months ago.

However, he couldn’t go near them or check them out well, as he was warned the bulls aren’t very friendly. Sarath, who plays a jallikattu participant named Maada in the film, has been training for the part to be comfortable around the bulls for the past couple of weeks and now, the actor says things have improved.

Sarath tells us, “Anger is the default demeanour of these animals, and being around them isn’t like being with a cow, or even an ordinary bull. They are raised for this sport. Even when a jallikattu bull is on its rope, one needs to be careful around it. They can be silent one minute but give you a header with their horns in the next, and they don’t like it if you stand around them without acknowledging their presence. I have a trainer who has been guiding me on how I should conduct myself around them. Now, I have managed to read the meaning of their gazes, mood swings and the like and so, I am comfortable around them and can hold them by their ropes. The training is continuing.”

The movie will show three different stages with the bulls, involving their growth, Sarath says. “I am training with the bulls with whom I will be shooting. There are three of them and I need to be comfortable around two at least. One of the bulls, named Raman, has been a champion who has won the sport around four times,” he says. Did he have any apprehensions about taking up such a role? “I like to do such challenging roles, so, no. But, my friends and family, who have been very encouraging, have been asking me to ensure that I am alert around them,” says the actor.

Earlier, director Vinod had said that Sarath’s character is a man who walks, talks and sleeps like a bull. The actor says he has made a character structure for this role, which he will be following to ensure these things are executed. “I have learnt theatre in college and I can use the techniques of physical theatre to implement them. Body language is extremely important for this role. What I have understood is that everything about him should be peppered with some extra emotions.” The actor says looks-wise too, Maada is very raw. “He is lean, extremely tanned, has long hair and often has mud clinging to his body. I had gained some weight during lockdown but I eventually trimmed down to play the role.” Sarath also has a couple of other films including Malik, Mission C, Christy and Innalekal coming up, in addition to a few Tamil films.