Exclusive! Karthik Subbaraj: I really felt honoured when Shankar sir approached me for a story

Filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj, whose Mahaan premiered on Amazon Prime Video last Friday, is content with the response the movie has been receiving from critics and audience alike. Apart from Vikram and Dhruv, who played lead roles in the film, Simha and Sananth, too, earned praise for their performances in the project. 

It is notable that Karthik, like a few other filmmakers, repeatedly choose some of the actors in his films. Simha, Simran, Sananth and Aadukalam Naren, too, with whom he has already worked before, are part of Mahaan. Is it the comfort factor which makes him choose certain actors repeatedly?  

He explains, "It's not just about the aspect of comfort. I believe you can develop it with any artist easily. I have worked with these actors repeatedly because I think they still have a lot to explore in them. Simran ma'am, Sananth and Naren sir have been part of my projects earlier. But in Mahaan, they play quite different characters. Similar is the case of Muthukumar, who played Gnanam in the film. He essayed a small role in Petta, and I felt he deserved more. I'm glad that all of them have been receiving appreciation for their roles."

Karthik is currently the story writer for Shankar's ongoing film with Ram Charan, which has been tentatively titled RC 15. Quiz him about the experience of being associated with a maverick filmmaker like him. 

He says excitedly, "Shankar sir asked me if I had any story in hand. I felt really honoured that someone like him approached me for the same. I already had a story with me which I had developed. I felt it would be great if he directed it. I'm quite thrilled about having collaborated with him."