Shiva: If someone wants to make a serious film with me, I'm game

Time of India

10-06-2025

'My race is with myself, and my ultimate aim is to entertain people,' says actor
Shiva
. In a chat with us, he shares about acting in Ram's Paranthu Po, which premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) earlier this year, about choosing serious roles, memes comparing him to
Rohit Sharma
, and more…
'I told Ram sir, 'I respect you, but let's not do a film together'
Elaborating on his collaboration with Ram in Paranthu Po, the actor says, "Unlike others, I was scared when Ram sir approached me to share Paranthu Po's story.
I told him, 'I have a lot of respect for you, but let's not do a film together because our genres are completely different.' His films are raw and a bit sad, while my films are the exact opposite. Later, when he narrated the film's story, I realised that it will be a feel-good film.
' Shiva says, with confidence, that he will reunite with Ram again. "He has discussed around 50 stories with me. We will work together on some of them in the future,' he says.
'I'm scared when I see memes comparing me with Rohit Sharma'
Ask him about the memes that compare him with Rohit Sharma due to the similarities in their appearance, and Shiva states, "I'm scared when I see memes comparing me to Rohit Sharma. He is a great cricketer, and he has nothing to do with me. There are scenes of me playing cricket in my films, and when a real match happens, those scenes are taken and made into memes."
'We got a standing ovation in a packed theatre in Rotterdam'
Shiva shares that he was extremely happy with the response that Paranthu Po received at the IFFR.
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He tells us, "It was my first time at a film festival. Paranthu Po was screened at a 650-seat theatre, one of the biggest in the fest, and all the seats were taken. Most people in the audience were non-Indians, and we got a standing ovation. It was due to Ram sir's goodwill."
'I wondered whether Kalakalappu would work, but it became a superhit'
The actor opines that no one can predict how a film will turn out and says, 'No one does a film knowing that it will bomb.
Pushkar & Gayatri's Va: Quarter Cutting (2010), a film I worked hard for, was not understood when it was released. On the other hand, I wondered whether Kalakalappu (2012) would work, but it became a superhit. Initially, I thought I could predict how a film would turn out, but I have realised there are various factors at play which determine how a film would do.
'
'Tamizh Padam 3 will happen very soon'
The actor's biggest hit Tamizh Padam turns 15 this year, and Shiva tells us that there will surely be a third film in the franchise.
He says, 'When I worked on Tamizh Padam, it felt like I was working on something new, like how it did with Chennai 600028. We did that film with the confidence that the audience will welcome new content. Tamizh Padam 3 will happen very soon."
'I 100% have plans to direct in the future'
Shiva is all for doing serious films as long as they don't make the audience shed tears. "Usually, I get roles where I'm unemployed. A producer approaching me says, 'Let's do a film like Kalakalappu, Chennai 600028 or Tamizh Padam.'
To do a serious film with me is a risk for the producer because, at the end of the day, this is a business. But if someone is ready to do it, then I'm game. I will make sure the film isn't too sad. People already face a lot of issues, so why make them cry when they come to the theatre? I do films for the audience,' he says.
'I grew up watching Kamal sir, so getting to see him act in Aalavandhan was a big deal for me'
One of the actor's earliest film appearances was in Kamal Haasan's Aalavandhan (2001). Reminiscing about working in that film, he shares, 'I grew up watching Kamal sir, and on the set, I was watching him act in person. It was a big deal for me. I was scared of him back then, but I have spoken to him a lot since.'
'I don't say double-meaning dialogues'
I don't say double-meaning dialogues. Right from Chennai 600028, I realised that it's OK if I make fun of myself, but I shouldn't hurt anyone else with my jokes.