Every day in cinema is a lesson: Shanmuga Pandian

Just a few more hours left for release, and Kombuseevi has already been receiving positive word-of-mouth right from the time the team started their promotions. This Ponram directorial is Shanmuga Pandian’s fourth film in a decade after Sagaptham, Madura Veeran and Padai Thalaivan.

Coming from a strong lineage in Tamil Nadu, it would be common for anyone to have signed a minimum of 10 films. “This wasn’t a part of my plan at all. As appa fell sick, I had to be by his side. Also he ensured that I learnt the craft right even in my first film and there were no excuses.

Sagaptham didn’t do well as planned and I signed another film apart from Madura Veeran. It was then appa’s health started failing and between him and cinema, I had to choose him. Now, I am fully focused on acting and there will be releases in regular intervals,” says Shanmuga Pandian.

When it comes to Kombuseevi, the actor says that the story will appeal to the audience across centers. “The story revolves around a serious issue of a dam being built and how it becomes a bane for villages around it. We see a lot of dams but we never know the history behind it nor how people were affected by it.

Kombuseevi also has a neat mother-son sentiment and the bond between Sarathkumar sir and I,” he opens up. According to Shanmuga Pandian, the film cannot be restricted to any specific sections of the audience.

“Both kids and elders and the audience across centers would love it. It is because Ponram has crafted a story that is rooted yet relevant. The main reason for me to accept the film is the director because when you see the films he has done, apart from the hero, the characters around too would have added a lot of value in driving the script forward. I have wanted to work with him since Varuthapadaadha Vaalibar Sangam,” adds the actor.

Shanmuga Pandian’s clarity of thoughts come with a certain responsibility. “It all started when I plunged into acting with Sagaptham,” he says with a smile.

“When Sagaptham released, people started comparing it with appa’s 100th film Captain Prabhakaran. I didn’t even have the time. I am aware that this pressure tends to follow me all through my career. The day I believe that I can do the impossible, things will start going south. Every day in cinema is a learning,” he remarks. He is aware of how this would be carried on to his off screen persona as well.

“This pressure has stayed inside me right from my school days. I was aware of the reputation my appa had because if I behaved like any other kid, the word would go around as Viayakanth’s son did this. I ensured that I do not put my family’s reputation at stake,” he states.

Shanmuga Pandian is probably one of the very few actors to have had Ilaiyaraaja, Karthik Raja and Yuvan Shankar Raja compose for three of his four films till date. “I think so too that this is a rare phenomenon. Bhavatharini akka too has sung for one of my films. However, this was never planned.

But I remember appa saying, since Karthik Raja has composed for Sagaptham, I should also work with Raja sir, which happened in Padai Thalaivan. Then Yuvan sir came onboard for Kombuseevi. He has enhanced the film so well and when I watched it with his background, I could see the value addition in the narrative,” he tells us.

While his father was at the helm of Nadigar Sangam and streamlined Tamil cinema by making it conducive for everyone, Shanmuga Pandian says that the current period could provide a smooth sailing for people in the industry. “World is moving fast and people who aren’t watching films in theatres are catching up with it on OTT. Nevertheless, theatres give us the best experience.

Even Sarathkumar sir recently said that films are being streamed on OTT in a quick span of time, which is true.There should be at least a three-month window before a film goes to digital platforms. Moreover, theatre owners and operators have a life around this. If this continues, the fate of theatres in 10 years we wouldn’t have theatres or we would have a handful of them like amusement parks,” explains Shanmuga Pandian.

The actor has already planned his next four outings on the silver screen. “It is always good to have a plan. Appa worked only in Tamil but the world is much bigger and there are other industries as well. If I say I will stick only to Tamil, then I would be losing out on a lot of things. I am open to working everywhere,” he signs off.