Our audiences don't see me as a mass hero: Sasikumar

He made a dramatic entry in the film industry Subramaniapuram, and there has been no looking back for with Sasikumar. His resume includes movies like Naadodigal, Sundarapandian and Kutti Puli, all of which are ruralsmall-town subjects.With Thaarai Thappattai getting him critical acclaim, he is now back with Vetrivel, a family entertainer, which is again, set in a village.Excerpts from an interview with the actor-director...
Most of your films are rural subjects. Why?
That is because I'm being offered a lot of rural films. I entered the film industry with Subramaniapuram and that film has become etched in the minds of the audience. They don't see me as a mass hero. They look at me as a person who is one among them. And I like it that way , too. Actors always get support from the city audience, but what they desire is reaching the B and C segments. I am lucky to have already reached that spot.But I don't take up movies saying I should reach smaller towns. When people approach me, they have the Sasikumar of Naadodigal and Sundarapandian in their minds and offer me such roles. Moreover, I don't think anybody is doing these roles, so why shouldn't I capitalise on this?Ultimately , the story and character matter a lot to me.
But, don't you want to break this stereotype?
If I have to break this stereotype and play a city guy , I need a strong story and a good director. I can't break this image easily. If I try a city-based script and that doesn't work, people will immediately ask, `Why is he trying all this? He should just continue doing what he does best'.People don't get to see me often as I don't go to award functions or parties. And I don't give interviews frequently . So, a lot of people in the industry assume that Sasi is a guy who can do Naadodigaltype roles best. So, when they write stories, they only think of me in that space.And I have no regrets doing such small town and village-based stories. I like doing these roles and I am comfort able doing them.
What about getting back to direction?
That is going to happen next year.I have acting commitments till next year. I want to finish them all and then take up my directorial venture. This should happen by the end of 2017. I have a few scripts in mind, but I haven't finalised one as my next yet.
Your association with Samuthirakani has resulted in successful films. When are you going to join hands with him again?
When it comes to Samuthirakani, I don't like fixing a date and time. He is working on a story for me and when he tells me about it, I will do it. People expect a lot from us and we should meet those expectations.
You have recently joined social media.How important is it for you?
I joined Twitter and Facebook a month ago, mainly because there were too many fake ids in my name. When I complained, the officers asked me to open an official account to avoid confusion. I never wanted to enter social media. I think the platform is not just about wishing other actors on their birthdays, announcing your next projects or letting the world know where you are eating, with whom and what you are doing. I want to spread positive messages through these accounts. What I write should benefit others.
Do you have an inclination towards revenge-based movies?
Subramaniapuram was a revenge-based film. I forgive my betrayers in Naadodigal and Sundarapandian. But I think that we are taught right from our childhood that the bad guy should always be taught a lesson. We celebrate Deepavali because Krishna killed Narakasura. People are taught to hate the bad guy and that is what we show in movies also. When I slit the villain's throat in Subramaniapuram, the audience loved it and clapped. But personally, if you ask me, I like it when the villains are forgiven. I like it when there is a message in the movie. I think you can do a lot in a commercial movie -like add small messages. It shouldn't be preachy, but you should share your thoughts with the audience. You should make the audience smile and teach them a lesson at the same time.
You are also a producer. Doesn't that add to the pressure?
Producing a film is a big deal. There are so many things that you need to look into at the same time. For me, I have to be on the production side and also manage being an actor. But I have gotten used to it.
Tell us about Vetrivel...
Vetrivel is a family entertainer. I play the titular character.For the first time, I will be acting with a lot of seasoned actors like Prabhu, Viji Chandrasekhar and Thambi Ramaiah. There are three heroines in the movie -Miya George, Nikhila Vimal and Varsha. All the girls have important roles.
What are you working on now?
After Vetrivel, I am now working on an untitled film with a new director, Prasad. He was director Vasanthabalan's assistant. We will be shooting in locations like Kovilpatti, Virudhunagar and Sattur. There are a lot of stories in our villages and towns. From rituals to relationships, you can cover a lot of aspects, provided it is scripted well.