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'Don't look at Shambo Siva Shambo as a remake'

Samuthirakani shot to fame as a director with his Tamil film Nadodigal, an acclaimed hit even though it was his first directorial venture Unnai Saranadaithen that won him the Tamil Nadu state awards.

His performance as the villain in the much accliamed Tamil film Subramaniapuram too won him a lot praise.

He is one of those filmmakers brimming with ideas but works at his own pace. In fact he prefers to write his own scripts and periodically goes to his village Seithur (600 kms from Chennai) for inspiration.

After the stupendous success of Nadodigal, producer Bellamkonda Suresh approached Samuthirakani to direct Shambo Siva Shambo (the Telugu version) starring Ravi Theja, Allari Naresh, Siva Balaji, Priyamani and Abhinaya which released during Sankranti (January 14).

Samuthirakani was only too happy to share his reaction on the response of Shambo Siva Shambo with Radhika Rajamani.

'I don't bother about the critics'

Are you happy or disappointed with the response to Shambo Siva Shambo?

I am very happy with the response. As a creator, I liked the Telugu film as I was able to rectify the mistakes I made in Tamil. I went to 35 theatres (single screen) and saw the full film with the audience. The response has been good.

But the reviews have not been favourable...

That is the personal opinion of the reviewers. I told a story which the audience liked. I had a point to make and I conveyed it. I make films for the audience so I don't bother about the critics.

'I rectified the mistakes I made in Tamil'

Nadodigal in Tamil was a hit. Why do you think the Telugu version didn't work?

It has worked. If the public doesn't like a movie in theatres (single screens), they shout. When I saw the movie with them, they clapped. The people who put in money are happy that the film has done well.

Shambo Siva Shambo was almost a frame-to-frame remake. What do you think should have been the changes?

I treated it as a new film. I rectified the mistakes I made in Tamil. I have thought about all the angles and worked hard on the screenplay. I okayed the script only after the 11th draft. I have lived with the film for seven years.

Why and how did you decide to remake the film? Did the producer come forward?

I was happy when the producer asked me to make it in Telugu. I will be doing the film in Kannada as well, with Puneet Raj Kumar. Discussions are on to remake it in Hindi too though I am not sure whether I will be able to direct it. Also, I am acting in a Tamil film directed by Sashi Kumar now.

'There is no language barrier with Abhinaya'

How was the cast chosen? Except Abhinaya, everyone else was new?

Every actor was chosen with my consent. I chose all the artistes with great care. In fact I worked harder on Shambo Siva Shambo.

How did you extract a good performance from Abhinaya considering she is physically challenged?

There is no language barrier with her. It's easier to make her act than a normal person. She doesn't have a phone so there is no difficulty. All I had to do was enact the scene and she would follow my lead. She is very brilliant. Right now she's doing a Tamil film directed by Sashi Kumar.

How was the experience of directing a Telugu film?

It was really nice. I hailed from a Telugu speaking family but couldn't speak the language as I live in Tamil Nadu. Now I have learnt Telugu.

'One should look at Shambo Siva Shambo as a new film'

Will you do another Telugu film?

On the second day of release, few producers requested me to make a film. I am only too happy to do another film. As a filmmaker, I want to say good things in movies. Right now, I am working on a Tamil film with a message.

Your film combined entertainment with a message...

I have a societal responsibility to do so.

Will you make an original Telugu film or a remake?

One should look at Shambo Siva Shambo as a new film as I have directed Nadodigal and this one. Don't look at it as a remake. A film will be a remake only when another director directs it.

I like to do things the way I want to. I don't like too many commitments. When I want to make a film, I will.

I have been in the industry for 22 years and faced a lot of difficulties. So, I have a lot of ideas from my own expereince.