He is perhaps the current favourite of the college crowd, what with every young hero in K-town wanting him as their sidekick
And what’s more, he is also acting with the biggest of them all — superstar Rajinikanth — in his hugely anticipated Endhiran. Yes, we’re referring to Santhanam, the livewire comic, who has successfully managed the transition from the small screen to the big screen.
We decide to begin from scratch and throw him the obvious question — his inspirations to take up comedy. “I’m a big fan of yesteryear comedian Thangavelu. According to me, he is the godfather when it comes to comic timing. This is what earned him the sobriquet Danaal Thangavelu. The other comedian I admire is Goundamani. His timing is impeccable and he steals the show with his punches,” he says.
So, how did Lollu Sabha, his ticket to Kollywood happen? “I’ve seen and admired spoof shows at college culturals. I felt that they would work big time on TV. Luckily, the time was right and our team hit the jackpot. But today, almost all comedy shows are following the same trend. So, even if our old Lollu Sabha team was to repeat an act today, it will be boring,” he admits candidly.
So, what difference does he find between the small screen and the big screen? Says Santhanam, “Comedy on TV is of the use-and-throw variety. Once it is aired, you’ll rarely see the same comedy scene later. But, in cinema
, it is evergreen. People go back to it even after many years.”
And what would he say is his USP? “My on-screen identity is that of this casual, jolly guy who hangs out with you, cracks jokes and pulls everybody’s leg. There’s a Santhanam in every home, office or friends’ circle, who does all the things that I do. It is just that I’m able to do that on screen,” he explains modestly.
Sensing it’s time, we shoot THE question that we’ve been intending to ask Santhanam from the start — his role in Shankar’s Endhiran — only to realise that his lips are sealed on that. “Let’s talk about my other projects please,” he says and starts off, “Besides Endhiran, I’m currently doing Theeradha Vilayattu Pillai with Vishal, Kandha Kottai with Nakul, Ayyanar with Aadhi, Singam Puli with Jiiva, the Tamil remake of Kick with Jayam Ravi and the Tamil remake of Jab We Met, Kandein Kadhalai with Bharath.”
So, what kind of role does he play in these films? “I’m a playboy in Kandha Kottai, a jobless villager in Ayyanar and a relative of Tamannaah, who yearns for her in Kandein Kadhalai,” he explains.
So, does he have a dream project? “Not exactly,” he says before casually breaking the big news, “I’m acting in a Bollywood film titled, Chinnoo Mannoo. The producer of Khakhee is introducing his son in Hindi and Tamil, and I play his friend in both the versions.”
Weren’t the Hindi dialogues a problem? “To an extent. If I okay a shot in two takes in Tamil, in Hindi, it takes five. But it is a different experience working on the film,” he says.
Wishing him good luck, we finally get back to Endhiran once again, his co-star in particular, and this time, Santhanam is more obliging. “This is my second film with Rajini sir. He loves comedy and encourages actors a lot. Despite having achieved so much, he is simple on the sets and friendly with everyone. He’s the real superstar,” he signs off.
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