India’s Karthi Talks ‘Japan,’ ‘Kaithi 2,’ Global Plans and Teaming With Brother Suriya (EXCLUSIVE)
18.09.2023 - 05:49
/ variety.com
Naman Ramachandran Indian star Karthik Sivakumar, known by his screen name Karthi, is bullish about upcoming release “Japan,” his 25th film. The film is due to release in November during the Deepavali holiday frame in Tamil, Telugu and a few other languages.
“It’s a crime thriller, it’s got a manhunt to it. But apart from that, the writing and characters in the film are so well-rooted, and at the same time, it’s got a lot of flamboyance – it’s a very unique combination,” Karthi told Variety.
The film, from prolific south Indian studio Dream Warrior Pictures, is directed by Raju Murugan. “Being so grounded and yet having the flamboyance and the cockiness of this character is what got me hooked to the project, and the keenness to work with Raju Murugan – I’ve liked his earlier two films ‘Cuckoo’ and ‘Joker’ and his understanding of local community, the culture here, it’s so beautiful,” Karthi said.
The actor was particularly struck by “Vattiyum Muthalum,” a collection of articles by Murugan where he reflects upon life, romance, friendship and alcoholism and also how his take on life influenced a crime subject like “Japan.” “It [“Japan”] has the potential to be showcased to an international audience, that’s why I wanted Ravi Varman [cinematographer on the “Ponniyin Selvan” films] to be the DoP, his vision would change the project is what I believed. And I think that’s what we have achieved.
It’s got a very local flavor, but presented internationally.” Karthi’s father Sivakumar was a popular leading man in the Tamil-language film industry in the 1970s and 1980s and his brother Suriya is one of the current top stars. Sivakumar used to regale his family with behind-the-scenes stories of the film industry over dinner, which
.