Sardar is a spy-thriller that has Karthi in the lead role. The film is scheduled for a release tomorrow and has Raashi Khanna and Rajisha Vijayan as the female leads. S Lakshman Kumar produced the film under the Prince Pictures banner, and P.S Mithran directed it. We met with Karthi ahead of the release for a brief interview. Here is the transcript.
How do you feel as you are arriving very shortly after your blockbuster Ponniyin Selvan?
Ponniyin Selvan should have come for Summer, but it was a blockbuster though it was delayed. After it, I wanted to come up with something new, which I feel is Sardar. First time I am acting as a father-son. PS Mithran did a lot of research for the film. The story takes place in the 1980s.
How did you prepare for the father role?
I took the inputs from my father and Nasser Garu. The makeup can help us look like an older man, but variation must be shown between the father and the Police role. I enjoyed working for Sardar. Sardar will be at the Hollywood level, just like my Khaidi. This spy role is definitely the most challenging one for me.
Will Sardar entertain the family audience?
Sardar will connect to all sections of the audience. The entire family can enjoy watching Sardar this Diwali. Laila would have a son in this film whose character will have humor. That character is designed intelligently, making the audience believe the spy world. Films like Sardar will rarely come.
Sardar has a PAN Indian appeal right. So why not have a multi-lingual release?
Yes. Sardar has a universal appeal, which Chunkey Pandey sir has been telling us from the starting day. Currently, there are a few Hindi releases lined up. We have thought of releasing it in Bollywood after a week.
When are you acting in a straight Telugu film?
I am listening few storylines. To be frank, I don’t consider the Telugu industry as other industries. I feel Telugu Film Industry as my own house. It’s just like going to a relative’s house from my house.
The things you like about P.S. Mithran?
Mithran is good at heart. I liked the fact that he wanted to depict a solid point for society as director. He is very open to ideas from everyone and doesn’t have any ego. Also, I like his research work and dedication as a director.
When is Khaidi 2 releasing?
Even if I go to Delhi, people ask me about Dilli (Karthi’s role in the Khaidi movie). The expectations have risen to a new level, especially after Vikram. We will start working on this project very soon.