Stories should matter, not the actors, says Karthiik

Though RS Karthiik, was seen in Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada, Maanagaram and Sawaari, Peechankai, which is releasing this Friday, marks his debut as the lead. Naturally, he’s quite excited about it. The actor tells CE, "Peechankai is a dark comedy that talks about alien hand syndrome; where limbs act on their own, and cannot be controlled. I play a pick-pocket in the film, who suffers from this syndrome following an accident. How I manage to be in a kidnapping gang despite my malfunctioning hand forms the rest of the story."

A few years ago, the director Ashok had made a short film titled S Muthu Engira Smooth-u for a popular reality show on a TV channel, but couldn’t execute it as the channel felt the entry didn’t suit the programme’s sensibilities. Karthiik was the lead in that short film. Later, Ashok "revised the script and turned it into a commercial film”, which is now Peechankai.

Karthiik says that for a long time, Ashok was in talks with many producers, but was unable to convince anyone to help them financially. "Everybody was ready to take Ashok in as a director, but didn’t want me as the hero. But he stood by my side and wanted only me as he felt that I suited the character well. I had to pledge my house and my mother’s jewels to co-produce the film. Cameraman PG Muthiah also pitched in," he says. "It has been mostly difficult for small-time filmmakers to promote their films despite good content. This should change in future," he adds.

The actor wants to be a part of realistic subjects as he believes that only such films are successful. Describing his journey in the film industry as a mixed bag so far, the actor adds that he wants to play characters that create a deep impact in the minds of filmgoers. "I am a struggling actor, but I don’t want to give up. I haven’t faced many hardships compared to people like Vikram and Vijay Sethupathi. Every time, I get rejected or feel low, I think about them and I feel a sense of hope."

But Peechankai will be the first and last film to be produced by Karthiik. "I don’t want to produce a film ever again. The process of getting a film released is very discouraging. Films without prominent actors require vigorous and painstaking marketing. Small budget films are denied every opportunity to cater to the audience they have. Only stories should matter, and not who acts in it."