Where were you when the theatres started showing the film?
I was at the Albert's theatre in Chennai. I was moved by the kind of applause the film generated from the first frame till the last. After having worked so hard, it is a great feeling when people appreciate your work.
Did you get emotional when they applauded?
Yes, I became very emotional. I was waiting for that moment all my life and finally, when it happened, it was overwhelming. All my family members were there with me. It was a moving experience for all of us. I am happy that my dad is proud of me.
Did you go to the theatres again?
Yes, and I was mobbed!
How was the feeling when you got mobbed for the first time in your life?
I sneaked in and stood in a corner, watching a song. Suddenly someone recognised me and soon many people started looking at me. I slowly came out and when I looked back, I saw half the theatre coming out. And the movie was going on inside. They refused to go back. Finally, the cops had to be called in to control them. I must say I enjoyed the attention. It was a good feeling. Any actor would want it!
From whom did you get the biggest compliment?
So many great people from the Tamil film industry watched the film; Kamal Sir, Rajni Sir, Bharatiraja Sir... Everybody was very kind. They all said they could not believe it was my first film. There was so much praise for the director.
The biggest compliment came from Ameer Sir himself the day the audio album was released. He said he could not imagine anyone else playing the role. Coming from a director of his calibre, it is a great compliment which I can never forget.
Bharatiraja Sir is from Madurai and he told me, "I don't see you anywhere in the film. In the film, you look like someone from my village." Coming from a person born and brought up in a city and that too from an ace director like him, it was really a big compliment.
I remember you telling me about watching 16 Vayathinile several times...
Rajni Sir told me, that after 30 years, another 16 Vayathinile was born.
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