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`I believe in inner resolve'
They say spouse and fans cannot co-exist KARTHIK
JOLLY GOOD FELLOWS Karthik and Shaam PHOTO: R. RAGU
It was hard to believe they had not met earlier. Karthik greeted Shaam with a cheerful "Hi, dude". The next second they broke into a freewheeling chat. Light-hearted one minute and loaded with emotion the next, they spoke about their big break, non-filmi roots, family, fans and hobbies.
Shaam took the modelling way to the marquee. With his gym-groomed physique and model looks, he started walking the ramp while in college at Bangalore. A year later, he started chasing his `big screen' dreams. After a long period of uncertainty, "12B", with top stars Jyotika and Simran, happened. Despite a much-talked about debut film, most of his releases were non-starters at the box-office. But with the success of his recently released "Ullam Ketkume", Shaam is back in the reckoning.
Though the boyish-looking Karthik never really nurtured dreams of crooning for Kollywood heroes, his is the voice behind many chartbusters (the big hit being "Maya Maya" from the film "Baba"). With no formal training, he has been singing his way into filmgoers' hearts.
It was amusing to watch the camera-friendly Shaam help the ill-at-ease Karthik strike some cool poses at Park Sheraton for the Take Two.
Chitra Swaminathan captured the fun on tape.
Karthik: (Biting into his sandwich) The good response to "Ullam Ketkume" must have brought cheer into your life.
Shaam: Yes, my family was delighted.
Karthik: It's just a matter of time, isn't it?
Shaam: I too believe so. And I am ready to wait for my turn. I've never been in a hurry, or else the failures would have left me shattered.
Karthik: Anyway hits and misses are part of fickle filmdom.
Shaam: (On a philosophical note) When success comes after a prolonged struggle you cherish it all the more. Thankfully, I am not the kind to be stymied by cynicism. I have always believed in my inner resolve.
Karthik: Does increasing competition mean increasing insecurity?
Shaam: Today everybody is talking about how the industry is crammed with new faces. Being introduced is a big deal, but sustaining your position is a bigger deal. Particularly when there is no sure-shot formula of what will click with the audience. Sometimes a masala movie might run to packed houses, sometimes a meaningful film might flop.
Karthik: During the making of a film do you get that gut feeling about its fate at the box-office?
Shaam: It's difficult to judge even if one happens to be a veteran. You might have heard the story carefully and whetted the script, but much depends on how it is translated on the screen. The last minute twists and turns in the screenplay could leave you frustrated. So you cannot always fault your decision for doing a film. Actors can do their bit by giving their best shot and it's better to forget about the rest. How is it for singers? Can you predict a hit while recording?
Karthik: Before answering that I have to tell you that most of your songs in "Bala", "Iyarkkai", "Lesa Lesa" and the forthcoming "ABCD" have been sung by me. So, this Take Two is the coming together of the reel and real voice. (Ha, ha, ha... ) And he starts humming a popular number from one of Shaam's films. Coming back to your question, I think it's not difficult to guess if a song will scale the popularity charts, because the final output is ready within a couple of hours. Tell me, how was it travelling in "12B" with two good-looking girls? (With a mischievous smile)
Shaam: I will not say the ride was smooth. I thought I would breakdown any minute. During its making I spent several sleepless nights. There was so much pressure working with a demanding director like Jeeva and two top heroines. But I was desperate to make the best of the opportunity. More important, I had to keep Jeeva's trust. Imagine after knocking at the doors of several directors for months, he was the only one who signed me on in the very first meeting. Jo and Simran were helpful, but it was difficult keeping pace with them.
However, what was more difficult than all these was convincing my mother, who thought I had gone nuts. I remember when I called her to say I had become a hero, she thought I was fooling around. So one day I took pictures of myself with Jo and Simran and rushed to Bangalore to convince her.
Karthik: It happened to me too when I told my family I was going to record a song for Rehman sir. Even my friends laughed it off. But only we know what we felt at that moment. I think all those with no family links in the film industry go through such trials and tribulations. I was part of a chorus for one year.
Shaam: Did you ever regret the lack of formal training?
Karthik: The moment I entered the field I started taking lessons in classical music. I realised it helps a lot in voice modulation and gives you the confidence to improvise. Now I am comfortable with both slow and fast numbers. Let's move from career to Cupid. How did you decide to tie the knot soon after entering films? They say spouse and fans cannot co-exist.
Shaam: My girl had waited for six long years. I couldn't have put it off further. You can be married and with kids and still be a good actor. Despite a large female following how have you managed to remain single?
Karthik: (grinning sheepishly) The slot is vacant but I am yet to hang a `to let' board.
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