Actor Jiiva who played the lead in KV Anand's second film Ko, has expressed extreme grief over the sudden demise of the director-cinematographer. "I am yet to come out of the shock from hearing the heart-breaking news," he shares in an exclusive conversation with us. "Having grown up watching his films as a cinematographer like Khakee, it felt surreal to work under his direction."

Jiiva goes on to reveal that he was initially approached by the filmmaker to play the lead in his directorial debut Ayan. "The commercial failure of Kattradhu Thamizh changed everything and Suriya came on board as the production house wanted a more commercially-viable star then. But I am glad and grateful that I was considered for the role first." 

Recalling his Ko days, Jiiva states that the film changed his fate as an actor in many ways. "Till then I was either playing either happy-go-lucky roles like SMS or intense, dark ones like Raam. But Ko took me to the masses across Tamil Nadu and marked my biggest commercial hit."

He asserts that he knew that Ko would be a hit even while shooting for it. "It was one of the best scripts I'd ever heard. There were instances in the sets where when he (KV Anand) took over the additional cameras, to ensure the shot was perfect. He was a true technician who knew all the crafts of filmmaking." 

Jiiva wishes he could have worked in one more film with Anand. "I wanted to work with him again as he brought the best out of me in Ko. He should have lived longer and made more films that would have inspired many youngsters to love the craft even more."