Selvaraghavan is a great actor: Shilpi Kiran

Why filmmaking? How did your journey commence?
I have always got a high out of watching videos of how films are made. That’s what pushed me to know more about the process and study  Mass Communication. As a part of my curriculum, I had to be familiar with the various aspects of media including ad agencies and newspapers. During my final year, I directed a short film. Eventually, I took up a course in direction and screenplay writing at Taramani Film Institute Film and Television Institute of India.

What’s the oddest thing you have faced as an assistant director?
Lots. For Mersal, we hired real kusthi warriors for the intro scene of Vijay (Vetrimaaran). All of them were from the same school of wrestling and had to be instructed in Hindi. I was the only one who knew the language and had to instruct them to cheer for one of the fighters who faced Vijay. His name in the film was Ranveer but his actual name is Vikram.

The next fighter who faced Vijay goes by the name of Cookie in the film. His actual name was also Cookie and when I told them to cheer for Cookie, they cheered with full enthusiasm. I asked them as to why this energy went missing when they were asked to cheer for Vikram, who played Ranveer. Their response was “You asked us to cheer for Ranveer. Who is Ranveer? We only know Vikram. If you had asked us to cheer for him, we would have.”    

For Irandam Ulagam, we had to shoot in a village situated atop a hill. Some random people walked into the sets and asked us to leave the village.

What do you like the most about the directors you have worked with?
I love Atlee’s energy. He is always on his feet. I love his focus. What I like about Selvaraghavan is how inquisitive he is.

What’s one area of filmmaking you are having a tough time with?
Giving life to ideas and making them work on screen. I’d say the real challenge lies in execution.

Are you star-struck?
I have been star struck by the acting skills of Selvaraghavan. He’s a great actor. The whole set goes quiet when he enacts a scene. Selva always goes for long shots with scenes, which relies on the actors giving a performance that is top notch. So not only does he ensure that every emotion is spot on, but he also makes sure that the emotions have a structured pattern.

Directors you wish you could work with.
Vishal Bharadwaj and Anurag Kashyap.

Which is the best film you’ve worked on so far?
Mayakkam Enna.

What is the best thing about being an AD?   
Every day, you get to plan, create, execute and do something new. Regular 9-5 jobs come nowhere close.

Directors worked with: Thiru, Selvaraghavan, Atlee
Key responsibilities: Scheduling and coordination between various departments
Worked in: Theeratha Vilayattu Pillai, Mayakkam Enna, Irandam Ulagam, Mersal