In Cinema Express' exclusive interview with veteran actor Sivakumar, the star looks back on how his physical appearance, a sharp memory, and an unexpected dental fix helped him become Tamil cinema’s beloved face of divinity.
Before he earned acclaim as a powerful performer in family dramas and social films, Sivakumar’s early screen presence was defined by something more divine. The actor, who would later go on to become one of Tamil cinema’s versatile icons, was first cast in mythological roles—thanks in part to his sharp features and serene screen presence.
“My appearance was fitting for the role of Lord Murugan, and that’s how I got the opportunity to play him in Kandhan Karunai,” Sivakumar shares. “People think it's easy; just hold a spear and act like a god. But during the audition, I was asked to stand before a background with a peacock, hold the spear, and deliver a line as Murugan.”
Back then, auditions were rigorous. “The camera would capture all angles—front, profile, and three-quarter. They saw that all my angles suited the role and gave me a dialogue to perform. I was given time to understand the line, but I memorised it in minutes,” he recalls. He then delivered a line that would define the audition:
“Idhai meeri, villundu vaalundu endru vivaadhithaal, emmidam velundu endru koori vaa.” (If they argue that they have bows and swords, tell them I have a 'vel'.)
“My delivery had a certain intensity,” he laughs, “but I was told to say it with a smile instead. That’s when I realised the power of expression—how a simple change in tone or smile can give a line new meaning.”
However, despite the strong audition, Sivakumar didn’t immediately get the role. “I waited for a week with no news. When I followed up, they said they were unsure because of my 'singapallu'—a prominent canine tooth. I remembered how Sivaji Ganesan had corrected his uneven lower teeth before Parasakthi, so I went to the same doctor and got mine removed. Soon after, I was confirmed for the role.”
Interestingly, Sivakumar had been chosen for Kandhan Karunai, but before it went into production, Saraswathi Sabatham began shooting. “So, though Kandhan Karunai released first, my first time donning a divine costume on screen was as Lord Vishnu in Saraswathi Sabatham. That role opened the doors for more such characters.”
The audience’s response solidified his image. “Once my face became associated with divinity, it just worked—whether I played Vishnu, Shiva, or Brahma. I went on to do roles in films like Thirumal Perumai early in my career.”
But the impact went far beyond cinema. “A boy once called me from Sri Lanka and said, ‘I watched your old films recently, and you look exactly like Lord Murugan.’ I told him, ‘Back then, I didn’t even know how to act. I only started learning the craft later, through plays.’ He replied, ‘That’s exactly why you looked like Murugan, because you weren’t pretending. You were him.’”
The caller then shared a haunting story. His grandparents had seen Kandhan Karunai in theatres, and during the devotional number 'Arupadai Veedu Konda Thirumuruga', a Murugan devotee passed away in a moment of intense devotion. “That’s when I realised the film’s spiritual impact was far greater than I had imagined,” Sivakumar says.
