Director Siva says he has no time for social media these days. His once active handle remains dormant as the director rallies his energies towards making sure Viswasam is a treat for fans as it is for him and his crew. This is his fourth film with Ajith Kumar. “And the fourth to begin with V,” he adds.
Is he reluctant to try a different alphabet? “Not really. When we tried Veeram for my first film with Ajith sir, he was incredulous that nobody, literally nobody, had chosen that title before. Since it worked for us, we chose those titles. It wasn’t a conscious decision at all. They just happened,” he says.
Viswasam is about family and a man who holds it above all else. This summary can describe any of the three other projects that he has made with Ajith. “But ultimately, that’s what propels us right? Many ask me why the family sentiment is so prominent in my films. I feel it is not given its due. Family is there when nothing is. So that powerful core determines all our decisions. Veeram had brothers. Vedalam had siblings unrelated by blood. Vivegam was about a man and his wife. Viswasam is about the entire family.”
The team shot in a village in Theni district because the script demanded it. Thookkudhurai, the name of Ajith’s character in the film, is a man who would do anything for his family. “He looks tough, but he is very emotional. I realised that’s just how Ajith sir is. He is so concerned for everybody. His fans mean the world to him. He is not the star who uses his fan base to make sure the film runs. He wants them to decide to watch his films on their own accord. To my knowledge, he has never urged anyone to watch his film. Ajith sir just wants them to be happy. That’s it. If they’re happy to ignore his films, then that’s fine with him. He wants them to get what they want. His affection is like that of a father with his children.”
It is this attitude that makes Siva work all the more to make sure Ajith’s films make it at the box office. “We have spent a good portion of the last four years with each other. It’s been an incredible time. We’ve explored genres. We are still exploring and all this is possible only because Ajith sir is so amenable. He knows his boundaries but he doesn’t hesitate to step out of them if it is necessary for his role.”
The Madurai dialect in Viswasam is one such step for Ajith. “We have a really cool person to help Ajith with the Madurai dialect. This is the first time he is doing something like this. And we’re pumped.”
Recommended
Viswasam has something for everybody. One cannot call it a complete rural entertainer, says Siva. “First half is like a village carnival from Southern Tamil Nadu. Second half, Thookkudhurai goes to the city to tame the urbanites. You cannot pigeonhole these films. They are a blend of everything.”
The writing team behind Viswasam consists of Kaala Manikandan, Bhagyaraj, Sabari, Chandran and Siva himself. The dialogues are fiery and tilt towards improving the social consciousness of the masses. “A movie without a message is an opportunity wasted,” Siva says.
As to popular reports that Ajith plays dual roles in the film, Siva says that’s a great idea for another film. “Here, he is one man, in two different phases of his life.”
After four years and four films, Siva and Ajith are parting ways temporarily. Siva’s next is with someone else, he tells us – “We are in talks; that’s all I can say.”