Suriya: Singam series is realistic

Suriya, the 'S3' actor, says in this interview that it's not true that the 'Singham' movies are unrealistic. As 'S3' hits the screens on Feb 9th, he takes questions about his movies and the recent controversy involving him and PETA.

The film's release has got delayed by 100 days. What are your expectations?

For unavoidable reasons, we couldn't release the film as planned. I know festivals like Diwali always have a 15-20% extra market. But we are also confident that 'S3' has a lot of love and respect of audience.

PETA and you had a problem. They alleged that you are supporting Jallikattu with commercial interests in mind. What made you speak up?

PETA people profess what they believe in. I have to speak what I believe in. People coming out on streets to protest didn't happen suddenly. It was a culmination of several developments in Tamil Nadu. And being from the family of farmers, I felt I should speak up. My speaking up had nothing to do with 'S3'. It was a genuine emotion.

It's commonly said that cop movies like the 'Singam' ones are too cinematic. We are sure you won't agree.

The 'Singam' series movies are not far away from reality. Today morning, CV Anand sir (an award-winning IPS officer) was telling me that there are situations when a cop is posted in another country with the approval of the the concerned executive authorities (CM, etc) in cracking tough cases involving international networks.

Of course, I admit that, for the sake of entertainment, there is some element of imagination. But that is only 20 pc. Maybe, cops don't do those unrealistic stunts, but they do face situations which can shock us.

And, by the way, your movies have also been played in police training academies, starting from 'Kakka Kakka' ('Gharsana').

The fact that 'Singham' series movies have been shown in police training academies says it all. A senior cop was kind enough to tell me that our films have contributed to giving police department a positive image. Trainee cops are being told, by making them watch 'Singham' movies, that they have to serve the society in a passionate way. Our films have crossed borders. We have done well in five languages.

So, how is 'S3' different from the first two editions?

In the first part, it was a balance of family emotions and action. My character came from a village, was strongly attached to parents and didn't want to migrate to the city to take up an assignment. The second part was about a cop who had achieved a status, who knew his responsibilities, who knew the department was trusting him more. The third part, again, is a balance of family emotions and action. The trailer may not give that impression, but it is so. The noble cause of entertainment is touched upon.

Watching Hari's movies, one feels the adrenaline rush. What is like working with him?

Hari sir is very meticulous. Even after taking 10 months to write dialogues, if you postpone the shoot by 45 days, he won't get upset. He will see it as an opportunity to write a better version of dialogues. On an average day, it's possible only to take 30 shots for the camera department. But Hari sir can ensure 90 shots. We have shot in 200 locations for 'S3'. In total 17 lakh ft of footage was shot to give you 14000 ft of footage!

Recently, you were talking about an anecdote involving NTR and MGR.

I learnt from a senior person from the police department that when NTR garu was the CM of AP, he asked for more strength to control riots here. It was in the '80s. MGR garu sent the required strength of IPS officers. The anecdote was a kind of inspiration for us.

DSP was supposed to compose music. Why was he not on board?

We wanted to give new experience make it feel more fresh. Mani Ratnam sir, for example, doesn't repeat the same cameraman. DSP was large hearted to let go of. It was not easy for me, nor for Devi. But for the sake of the brand, we had to take the decision.