For entertainers with a message

"I live in my films," says A L Vijay, one of Tamil cinema's most loved and respected directors, who is ready with his next film titled Karu. The horror thriller has been garnering attention for many reasons. This includes the fact that actor Sai Pallavi will be making her debut in Tamil cinema with it.

What sets director Vijay apart from most other directors is the fact that his films not only do exceedingly well at the box office, but are also clean and meaningful entertainers that one can watch with the entire family. Needless to say, the director is passionate about his work and is known to completely dedicate himself to the task of recreating on the screen a meaningful story and through it, the message he intends to impart.

Ask him what inspired him to come up with a story for a film like Karu and he says, "I came across a survey that said that there were seven million abortions every year and that of these, 56% were unsafe. That got me thinking and in a way, was the spark for the story of Karu. I had written this script in 2012 and I wanted to emphasise on a social cause."

Vijay continues, "Karu is being defined in many ways and it is all of them. It is a psychological thriller. A horror drama. Not many are aware that a foetus has a life in the fourth week itself. You can even hear a heartbeat. Abortion is equivalent to killing a life."

The director clarifies that he does think that abortion is an individual's choice. "When we made Saivam, we never said even once, 'Convert yourself into a vegetarian.' That was only the story of a small child's love for a rooster. In a similar fashion, in this film too, we will not suggest anything. Even if we create a small awareness of abortion, I'll be happy."

While the director has a huge fan base, not many have realised that Vijay seldom repeats a genre. The man who has made films like Poi Solla Porom (a comedy), Madrasapattinam (a period film), Deiva Thirumagal (an emotional drama about a mentally challenged father), Thaandavam (an action thriller), Saivam (a child's love for a rooster) and Thalaivaa (a gangster film set in Mumbai), has now for the first time tried horror through Karu.

Says Vijay with a smile, "It is true. I never repeat my genres. I get attached emotionally to all my films and all the characters in them. Therefore, I do not like to create something that resembles them a second time. For instance, when I made Madrasapattinam, I had a hangover of the film for over a year. We go into so much detailing for the script of each film that we start living with the characters. I never knew the history of Madras before shooting this film. But after making my film, today, I can deliver a three-hour lecture on the city, off hand. I have learned so much about the city by making that film. Similarly, when I made Deivathirumagal, I knew nothing about intellectual disability, but once I decided to make a film on it, I would regularly take a notebook and go and sit with doctors and experts to gain an understanding of the subject. When I made Thalaivaa, I went to Dawood's company, and to Chhota Rajan's company like a lay person and took notes. All I want to do is make meaningful films with the right sensibilities. With that rule firmly in place, I try to experiment with every genre."

While most directors find working with children a daunting task, Vijay doesn't find it difficult at all. In fact, one reason why his Deivathirumagal was a blockbuster was because of the manner in which Vijay got the child, Saraa, to emote in the film. In this film too, Vijay has worked with another child artiste, Veronika. Vijay says, "She's an angel and one of the biggest blessings of Karu. She is just four-and-a-half years old."

The fact that Sai Pallavi has chosen to make her debut in Tamil through Karu has drawn more attention to the film. Vijay explains, "The best thing about Sai Pallavi is that her acting is natural. In fact, Karu will earn her a lot of fans. I should not say that I am introducing her in Tamil as she has already created a name for herself in Telugu and Malayalam cinema. Mark my words, there will be people who will be writing stories just for her. She is going to create an impact!"

The director, as always, has opted for his trusted cameraman Nirav Shah, and his favourite editor Anthony for this film as well. He has, however, chosen to go in for a new music director, Sam C S. Vijay says, "Sam has done a brilliant job in this film. He is an amazing person to work with, is so dedicated, and is bound to go places."

The director says that making a film is teamwork. "A lot depends on your team. Everybody was thoroughly involved with this project. When everybody works with the same intent and intensity, that is when the best emerges. No matter how hard we work, the magic has to happen. We believe that in Karu's case, that has happened," he signs off.