I always wanted to direct: Siva

���������During the festive season, I like to take my family out for an entertaining movie. I���������m sure 80 per cent of the audience want the same too. So, as a director, I���������ve made sure I give the audience what they expect,��������� begins director Siva, whose Siruthai, starring Karthi and Tamannaah in the lead, is all set to hit the screens this Pongal.
Siva has handled the camera for films like Badri, Manasellam and Charlie Chaplin in Kollywood, before venturing into Tollywood to direct two hit films, Sangam and Souryam. ���������I always wanted to direct a film in Tamil because it���������s my mother tongue. So, when producer Gnanavel Raja offered me a project, I was glad. That I was asked to remake Vikramarkudu, a film by Rajamouli sir, one of my favourite directors, made me doubly happy,��������� he says.
But Siva quickly adds that he didn���������t feel like he was working on a remake while directing Siruthai. ���������My producer said that I could take the story from the original and rework the script. Those who���������ve have seen Siruthai till now have said it���������s different from the original,��������� he smiles.
Siva says working on this project was an amazing experience. ���������I felt happy writing dialogues in Tamil and felt even happier communicating in Tamil. I was lucky to have a nice team for my Tamil debut. It feels wonderful when things exceed your expectations,��������� he says.
Talking about the film, Siva says, ���������It is about how an ordinary man finds himself in an extraordinary situation. Karthi has done a fabulous job with his dual role.���������
He adds, ���������We did a lot of research and modelled Karthi���������s two looks on people whom we met. Karthi studied a couple of police officers and we also met a few pickpockets in the prison. We planned meticulously while designing his looks ��������� while the ���������pickpocket��������� Karthi is a little dark, has a beard and a small cut near the nose, the ���������police��������� Karthi is clean shaven and sophisticated. Even in the two-and-a-half-minute trailer, the difference in his body language has come across well.���������
Though the film is an emotional entertainer, Siva says he���������s taken extra care while filming the fight sequences. ���������Fight in cinema is a calculated risk. Ganesh, my stunt master, had it all planned and we worked from a storyboard. Karthi wasn���������t scared while jumping off from the fifth floor of a building nine times before the shot was okayed. He, along with Tamannaah and a three-year-old kid, had to hang from a falling bridge at the height of 300 m. We knew we were taking a risk, but it was well worth it,��������� he says.
But the director is quick to add that there���������s more in Siruthai than just action. ���������Tamannaah plays a beautiful yet innocent girl who believes whatever Karthi says. Santhanam told me that this was one of the best comedy tracks that he���������s done till date. In all, this film will be a total entertainer for the audience,��������� he promises.
Meanwhile, Siva���������s also ready with next flick, which will be a bilingual. ���������I���������ve finalised the hero as well, but I���������m waiting for Siruthai to hit the screens before I announce details about it,��������� he concludes.
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