Memorable Spyder reception

"Each comment that I have received has been memorable. Everyone has gone the extra mile with superlative comments and not just stopped with basic praise. It's been really special. Interestingly, ladies and kids have also liked my portrayal. Cruelty was presented with novelty by the director."

Spyder's box-office disappointment

"Any different work will receive such mixed reactions. The film has collected what it should have. It's all fine."

From a dark villain to a classy villain

"If I was a dark villain in Spyder, Mersal will be classier. With such high expectations, I feel Mersal will take over Diwali thanks to its great content, good message, quality making and entertainment elements packaged by director Atlee. And then, I'm an anti-hero in Nenjam Marappathillai. As we know, Selvaraghavan is known for his intense, cult films."

Being just the actor on spot

"When I collaborate with seasoned directors like Selvaraghavan, Murugadoss and Atlee, I just go to the spot as an actor. I don't have the necessity to contribute at the scene/script level as these directors are highly skilled and already have the best ideas in place. I don't step out of the boundary of being an actor to make needless suggestions."

Evaluating three ace directors

"Murugadoss is very strong in his script sense and comes up with unique scenes like the ladies episode in Spyder. Only he's capable of writing such peculiar scenes. His films also communicate good social messages. With Atlee, the message is delivered in a stylish manner. And, his touch with love scenes is very strong. Selvaraghavan is capable of adapting Broadway shows and Shakespearean dramas to an Indian context. He is very intense."

The highly promising Iravaa Kaalam

"It is an emotional drama and I can't reveal much about the story. Director Ashwin Saravanan is like a mix of Karthik Subbaraj and Gautham Menon. He doesn't make a conscious effort to be like those directors but that's how it is. He has his uniqueness with his trendy presentation and extracts performances from actors so well. He is a director with good taste."

Following Bruce Lee's ideology

"I really like and follow Bruce Lee's 'Be Water, My Friend' quote. While playing such diverse roles back to back, it's mandatory to keep the mind clear and empty. Bruce Lee says that water is formless and shapeless. It can fit into any space or shape, be it a cup or bottle or teapot. It can adapt in any space. In the same way, I wish to fit and adapt into any role. If you are stubborn like a rock, people will have to break you."

No regrets with Isai

"With Isai, I don't have any disappointments. The release time wasn't good, as Ajith sir's Yennai Arindhaal was just 6 days away. Films of Vijay sir, Ajith sir and Rajini sir are like a tsunami; they just take over everything else. My film hardly had 4 days or so in theatres. We had no other go! But review-wise it was all good."

A 'porkaalam' for cinema

"It's a great period ('porkaalam') for cinema. Digital has arrived in a big way and the screen is in our hands now. The world is evolving fast and we need to keep adapting to new technological and scientific developments. People who don't adapt will fade away quickly. Of course, it takes time to adjust to new developments but life and art will keep changing."

The return to direction?

"I will direct myself when I have some dates to spare. I have a line-up of films now as a lead actor for other directors and it's going to be busy days."