The support I get from my fans in Kerala is overwhelming : Karthi

Right from the forerunner, hi, to the parting, bye, Kollywood actor Karthi remains a down-to-earth guy next door, just like most of his characters in his films.

The actor, who was in Trivandrum recently, speaks about his journey in tinsel town, his fan base in Kerala, his brother Suriya, with whom he has grown closer to over the years, and his love for Malayalam films. Excerpts:

How well do you connect with your fans in Kerala?
I get in touch with my fans in the state every time I come to shoot near Athirapally. The support I get from my fans here is overwhelming. They make my visit to the state memorable every time. In fact, when I see how well Tamil movies are received here, I wonder whether I am in Tamil Nadu or Kerala!

Will we see you doing a Malayalam film anytime soon?
I would love to do a Malayalam film if the right script and character comes along. The films made here are awe-inspiring with bold themes, and one keeps wondering whether we would get to see such movies made elsewhere, anytime soon. Every other film that was made here in the 80s was a classic. I used to watch a lot of Malayalam films in the past. Now, when recommended as a do-not-miss, I watch it. I especially loved Ustad Hotel and Thattathin Marayathu among the recent ones I watched.

The film industry is undergoing a lot of change. What is the most challenging aspect for you as an actor?
I feel a script that can connect with the young audience is very important for a film these days. The latest film, Raja Rani, struck a chord with the young crowd as the story was woven around elements that the youngsters could relate to.

How different are you and your brother Suriya, as actors?
You have to tell me how different we are (laughs)! Well, I would say he has more of a serious image and his movies become trendsetters quite often, while I have my own repertoire of films. Though I have done films like Siruthai with larger-than-life characters, I have more of a guy-next-door image.

Do you give each other feedback?
We discuss films, but I comment on screenplay and story selection alone, for that is what I am confident of giving a feedback about, having started off as an assistant director. Performance-wise, I feel Suriya gives his best and I am no one to comment on that.

Suriya had said in an earlier interview that he was a bully during his childhood...
Yes, he was! But then, I feel it happens in every household that has two boys with not much of an age difference. However, after I came back from the US where I studied and worked for a while, we sat down to have a chat, which I could not have even thought of before! I guess we missed each other during my US stint and that brought us closer.

You made your debut as a singer in Biryani. Can we expect you to croon more?

That depends on my directors and their requirements. I used to hum something now and then, but never took it seriously. Biryani was Yuvan Shankar Raja's 100th film and he said I have to croon in this one, and I ended up singing in both Tamil and Telugu. The song was a hit and the response, extremely encouraging.