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I was impressed Keerthy’s down-to-earth nature & got her autograph: Soundararaja
After around 16 years and 45 films, actor Soundararaja hopes his performance in Dorothy will finally make more people sit up and take notice. Having known Karthik Subbaraj since 2008, when they made short films together, he eventually joined hands with the filmmaker to form a production house. But the opportunity to be part of Dorothy came at the last minute. “I received the call just two days before the shoot began. I was given only a broad understanding of the setting, family and characters. But I trusted Karthik completely, and he trusted me,” Soundararaja says.A CHARACTER CLOSE TO HOMENaturally, there was little time for rehearsal for his portions. “Muthukumar, who played my father, Muthupandi, who appears as my brother, and I were all confirmed only around a week to 10 days before the shoot. But the fact that we were from Madurai helped because we understood the setting, language and mannerisms. The live sound where even our breath got recorded added to the performance,” he says.’I DIDN’T KNOW THE CLIMAX’Soundararaja admits he was initially shocked by the climax. “For around 30 seconds, I found it difficult to process what I was seeing. But Sananth’s performance and the emotional impact of the scene gradually changed my perspective. The real achievement of the film is that the audience begins to see Sananth’s character not merely as a man who has transitioned, but as a woman,” he says.
I was given a broad understanding of the setting, family and characters. But I trusted Karthik, and he trusted me
Soundararaja
At the same time, he also understands the mixed reactions. “Something that people may accept within four walls can provoke a very dif-ferent response when placed before a large audience. But the film ultimately asks audiences to look beyond gender. The identity of Sananth’s character should not remain defined by the fact that she was born male. And love is love. Subbu was in love; and Karthi, too, was in love,” the actor says.He also hopes the film encourages greater acceptance of transgender people. “They often face rejection from society, relatives and even people who have known them since childhood, so the film will help people understand them better. On their part, they should also try to avoid the activi- ties some of them end up indulging in,” he adds.
Earlier, cinema and politics shared equal space in my life. Now, it’s increasingly tilted towards politics. I hope to do one or two good films a year
Soundararaja
Bowled over byKeerthy SureshSoundararaja was also taken aback when he learnt that Keerthy Suresh would play his wife. “I was surprised and happy and asked them again if it was really Keerthy Suresh. I even had to sign a confidentiality agreement to not reveal details about the casting,” he shares.
He speaks particularly warmly about his co-star. “She is a National Award-winning actress, but remains grounded on set. She gave me equal freedom as a co-actor, had no attitude and often stayed on the set rather than heading to her caravan. I was so impressed by her that I got an autograph – something I have never done with another actor,” he reveals.
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