Aditi Shankar on making a foray into Tamil cinema with Viruman: ‘I’m a huge fan of Rajini sir’

A friendly face greets us in a room in a five-star hotel. Dressed in green, Aditi Shankar looks both casual and elegant. She is among the latest brigade of star kids to join the film industry. Aditi, however, made it clear that besides the advantages of being a star kid, there are a few disadvantages too.

She talks about why she chose to act in films. “As my father's daughter, I was naturally interested in movies. I am a huge fan of Rajini sir, and I love his films with Appa. I wanted to act, dance, and sing. I've always been interested in it, but couldn't bring it up with my parents. At home, Appa is strict. I was interested in medicine, so I decided to pursue it. But I wanted to return to my passion so that I would not have any regrets later. I asked my parents after I finished my studies, and everything worked out.”

Aditi feels honoured that she entered the same industry as her father. Even before the release of Viruman, she bagged Sivakarthikeyan's biggie, Maaveeran. “I just want to do good work, and make him proud.”

How did she come on board for Viruman? “They were looking out for someone to do a good character role. This chance came along and Muthaiya (the director) encouraged me to take it up. Karthi went on to become a big name after doing Paruthiveeran. Viruman is a similar subject, and I trust this works for me, as well!”

Aditi said she learnt a lot about acting, and how to be in control of her emotions from Karthi, Prakash Raj, Soori, Saranya Ponvannan and others. “Every day was a learning process. Karthi and I used to discuss books, among other things.”

Besides acting, Aditi is interested in singing, too. “I sang in Viruman. Thanks to Yuvan Shankar Raja. I am keen to pursue both singing and acting.”

Aditi Shankar remains confident but acknowledges her privilege. “Star kids do get it easy, but it comes with scrutiny. I want the same love from people that they've shown my father. I'll eventually earn everybody's trust.”

On his part, Karthi said, Aditi kept pulling everybody's leg on the sets of Viruman. “She's a bundle of energy, and treats everybody with equal respect!”

The Ponniyin Selvan actor added, “During our first meeting at the puja ceremony, I was hesitant to speak to her because I assumed she would speak to me in English. But, Aditi came over and asked in Tamil, ‘sir, which country has the most wealthy people?’ I went to Google and started wondering if I should say it is the nation that has that Sheikh. She said, ‘don’t think too much sir. It's a straightforward question’. I finally gave up and she said, 'Bangladesh', explaining that it is a country with a lot of bungalows’.”

Karthi was stumped when he heard that answer. He continued, “Aditi came up with another question to the crew. She asked, ‘What is the name of the girl who pushed her father?’ I had no idea and sought Soori's help. He also began to consider what the answer might be. ‘It's Pushpa’, she said after about 15 minutes. It is because the girl Push (es) her pa’.”

On the other hand, Muthaiya was all praise for Karthi, adding that he's been a big strength to his directors. “You are free to present Karthi in any way you see fit. He can be depicted as either a calm, docile individual or as an aggressive, rough individual. He is a godsend for directors.”

Muthaiya added that Viruman was based on an incident that happened in a home opposite his place. “Everyone makes mistakes in life. When one does it, however, someone in the family must question it. My film addresses this.”

Produced by Jyotika and Suriya under 2D Entertainment, the rural-based mass entertainer takes Karthi back to Madurai 14 years after he shot his debut film, Paruthiveeran.