With Nizhar Kudai, director Shiva Arumugam says he is set to deliver an emotionally grounded story that explores the evolving dynamics of parenthood. The film delves into the delicate balance between protection and independence as children grow and parents age—a universal theme with emotional weight. Given the recent wave of Tamil films like Gargi and Chithha, which focus on the safety and struggles of girl children, one might assume Nizhar Kudai treads similar ground. However, Shiva clarifies that his film takes a broader approach. “This film is not specifically about girl children,” he explains. “It’s about children and parenting in general. We chose a girl child simply to represent all children. Nizhar Kudai will be different from films like Gargi or Chithha because our focus is on the parent-child relationship as a whole, not just one gender or issue.”
Ahead of the release of Nizhar Kudai on Friday, director Shiva Arumugam and actors Vijjith and Darshan talk about the film’s themes, their roles, and more.
Shiva Arumugam, what made you choose Nizharkudai as the title?
I chose the title Nizharkudai for its simple yet profound meaning. Parents should be like a protective umbrella, offering shade and shelter to their children as they grow. And with time, the roles gently reverse—children should become the shadowing umbrella, caring for their parents in return.
Vijjith, you played a father in your debut film, White Rose, and in Nizharkudai too, you take on a similar role, which isn’t a conventional choice for someone early in their career. What made you embrace such roles?
The importance of my roles cannot be judged by the screen time. As an actor, I have no hesitation in taking on any role, as long as it's meaningful. In White Rose, my part may be limited, but it plays a crucial role in moving the narrative forward, and that’s what truly matters. I’m not just a father in this film; I’m also a husband to Kanmani’s character and share a unique dynamic with Devayani ma’am’s character. So while I do play a father to a young girl, the role itself is layered and quite different. More importantly, I wouldn’t have missed the chance to work with Adhiyaman sir’s team. It was an honour to work alongside veterans like Devayani ma’am and Raj Kapoor sir. On top of that, my daughter makes her debut in this film. What more could an actor ask for?
Darshan, what gave you the confidence to play an antagonist in your debut film?
Just getting the opportunity to act itself was a big deal for me, so I didn’t overthink the specifics of the character. Most of my scenes were with Devayani ma’am, and my only focus was to not mess up in front of such an experienced and respected actor. Beyond that, I honestly don’t have a clear idea about the kind of roles I should take on in the future or how my career will shape up.
Vijjith, how did your daughter come on board Nizhar Kudai? How did you train her to perform in the film?
Ahana wasn’t chosen for the role just because she’s my daughter. She had to audition like everyone else. It wasn’t easy to teach her or get her to perform, but the credit truly goes to my wife, who was incredibly patient and helped train her. Ahana did well in the auditions, and that’s why she was cast. Once we began shooting, I think having me play her father on screen gave her a sense of comfort and helped her feel more confident in front of the camera. Of course, she’d miss a few things here and there, but we were always around to guide and support her.
Shiva Arumugam, what were some steps you took to make the two children, Ahana and Niharika, perform?
SA: Vijjith’s wife made the process much easier when working with the child. She took the time to teach Niharika well in advance, which really helped. Niharika is very sharp and picked things up quickly. At first, I had some reservations about working with children, but both Ahana and Niharika made the entire process smooth and breezy. Devayani ma’am was also a huge support, offering valuable suggestions and guidance to the children throughout.
Vijjith: Both the director and Devayani ma’am truly deserve equal credit for their patience. They would often wait for the children to perfect their acting. There were times when the kids would fall asleep on set, and both of them would patiently wait for them to wake up, understanding that forcing them up would make them cranky. They were always considerate, ensuring the children were comfortable before continuing with the scene.
What message do you hope parents take away from Nizhar Kudai?
This film is releasing during the summer holidays, a time when many parents will be planning outings or vacations with their children. I humbly ask them to dedicate just two hours of their time to watching Nizhar Kudai. Today, most parents are focused on earning money, as it has become essential to securing a future. But in pursuit of that, they often overlook the children. This film will remind them that, ultimately, the true asset is the child.