0 4

#IFFIWood, 23 November 2024

When he walked into the packed hall to a rapturous welcome, the auditorium at Kala academy in Goa reverberated with the sound of applause and whistles. Such is the presence of the Tamil Superstar, Shivakarthikeyan, both on screen and off screen.

Sivakarthikeyan’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of Tamil cinema’s brightest stars is a story of grit, passion, and perseverance. Speaking at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), he sat down for an engaging conversation with actor and politician Khushbu Sundar, offering a glimpse into his life, career and inspirations.

“From the very beginning, Cinema has always been my passion and I always wanted to entertain the audience”, shared Shivakartikeyan. “So, I started with television anchoring, which gave me a chance to venture into a career in entertainment and one which I followed up with utmost passion.”

Reflecting on his early days as a mimicry artist, Sivakarthikeyan recalled, “I used to mimic my professors in engineering college. Later, when I apologized to them, they encouraged me, saying this talent should be channeled in the right way.”

The actor revealed that his father’s untimely demise was a turning point in his life. “After my father passed away, I nearly fell into depression. My work pulled me out and the whistles and claps from my audience became my therapy,” he said, crediting his fan’s love and support for his resilience.

Khushbu Sundar praised his determination and honesty, which she called his life’s biggest anchors. Agreeing, Sivakarthikeyan added, “I’ve always had the urge to stand out among millions while still feeling connected to the common man. Life is full of hurdles, but following one’s passion helps overcome them. There was a time when I felt like giving up, but the love of my audience kept me going.”

From mimicry artist to television host and, eventually, one of Tamil cinema’s most celebrated actors, Sivakarthikeyan has worn many hats. He has also earned accolades as a playback singer, lyricist, and producer. Speaking about his career choices, he explained, “Early in my career, I accepted every project that came my way. But now, I feel the stories are choosing me.” He cited films like Doctor, Don, and the recent Amaran, in which he portrayed real-life war hero Mukund Varadarajan, as examples of how he is choosing meaningful roles of late.

Discussing his use of humor as a tool, Sivakarthikeyan remarked, “Transitioning from television to cinema was tough. I used humor as my armor, realizing it brought joy to audiences, whether on the small screen or the big screen.”

For the younger generation, he said simply: “Fly like a free bird, but always return to your nest. For me, my family is my nest and I believe staying rooted is very essential. Our parents want only the best for us.” The session was a celebration of an extraordinary talent whose story resonates with millions. Sivakarthikeyan’s journey from a middle-class upbringing to the pinnacle of Tamil cinema remains as an inspiring tale of passion, resilience and the power of dreams.

* * *

PIB IFFI CAST AND CREW | Rajith/Supriya/Hiramani/Darshana | IFFI 55 - 60