'Carmeni Selvam' is a story that mirrors real life: Samuthirakani

Some stories don’t need convincing, they feel personal from the very first read. That was the case for Samuthirakani when Carmeni Selvam came his way. Set to release on April 3, the film struck a chord almost instantly. “I didn’t hear the story, I read it and I understood what it was trying to say,” he shares. What stayed with him was how closely it mirrored real life. “I saw myself in that story,” he says, recalling how the character and its situations felt deeply familiar.The film depicts a life of a working-class family man that sooner or later requires him to become accustomed to the laws of economy and default. Eventually, limited to a couple of concerns, the man is to distance himself from his true needs.Even the title carries layered meaning. “‘ Carmeni ’ refers to Lord Venkateswara, and ‘ Selvam ’ stands for wealth. At the same time, it can also mean the darker side of money, the black side of wealth. All these meanings come together in the title and the film,” he explains.Despite being a director himself, Samuthirakani is clear about his approach on set. “I leave the director in me at home. When I’m on set, I’m there to do what the director wants. That way, it remains his film and his vision,” he says, adding that bringing his own creative input into someone else’s space can only lead to confusion. For him, staying fully present as an actor is what keeps the performance honest.That clarity extended to his collaboration with director Ram Chakri and co-actor Gautham Vasudev Menon . “We read the script, locked it, and then came and shot it, that’s it,” he says simply. Off screen too, conversations flowed with ease. “When we meet, we discuss a lot of things about acting and the script and all of it naturally comes on screen,” he adds. At its core, Carmeni Selvam is about everyday choices and quiet realisations. As the film gears up for its release, Samuthirakani hopes audiences see a reflection of their own lives in it — just like he did.