Mumbai: At the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, Tamil cinema star Sivakarthikeyan shared an emotional and inspiring account of his journey, revealing how he overcame personal struggles to become the successful actor he is today.

During a candid conversation with actor-politician Khushbu Sundar, Sivakarthikeyan opened up about the pivotal moments in his life and career that shaped his path to stardom.

From engineering college to the stage

Sivakarthikeyan's rise to fame began during his college days. Despite being an engineering student, he found his calling on stage. Reflecting on those early moments, he recalled,

“My first stage was in my college when I was doing my engineering. My friends pushed me onto the stage and said, ‘Do whatever you feel like, the audience should enjoy.’”

Little did he know that this spontaneous performance would set the course for his future in entertainment.

Overcoming grief: claps as therapy

The actor revealed that the loss of his father during his college years was a turning point.

“I was depressed. I didn’t know what to do. To escape from the depression, from that sadness, I got onto the stage where claps and appreciation were the therapy,” Sivakarthikeyan shared.

It was through the applause and appreciation of the audience that he found solace, marking the start of his healing journey through entertainment.

A strategic television move

Sivakarthikeyan’s entry into television in 2007 was no accident. The actor, known for his wit and charm, explained his strategic move: “Television hosts come for a full one hour because they say the show’s name, so they cannot edit that,” he said, revealing how he cleverly designed his television appearances to maximize screen time and make a lasting impact on audiences.

Major Mukund Varadarajan: Honoring a true hero

Sivakarthikeyan is currently enjoying the success of his military drama Amaran, where he portrays Major Mukund Varadarajan, a real-life hero who made the ultimate sacrifice. The film has struck a chord with audiences and performed strongly at the box office.

Talking about the role, Sivakarthikeyan said, “He was from Chennai, from this tip of India. He went to Kashmir to save all the people there. He didn’t even think about his family at that time. His daughter was just three and a half years old, and he didn’t even think about it.”

The actor credited the film’s success to the soldier’s selflessness, adding, “He saved his own team, a true leader. Sacrifice is the biggest, biggest, biggest heroism.” His portrayal of Varadarajan's courage and sacrifice has resonated deeply with viewers, further solidifying his position as a leading actor in Tamil cinema.

A Close call with quitting the industry

Despite his success, Sivakarthikeyan admitted that he once contemplated leaving the industry. However, it was the encouragement of his wife, Aarthi, that kept him going.

Distance from social media

In a world where social media plays a significant role in the lives of celebrities, Sivakarthikeyan has made a conscious decision to distance himself from it.

“In the last two years, I’ve been using social media very less. If you want to use, you use the internet. This is my kind advice, but don’t use much of social media, especially Twitter,” he advised.

 “Maybe, I think Elon Musk might block my account, that will be the first success I think for me,” he added.

Learning life’s lessons from mother

Throughout his journey, Sivakarthikeyan has always drawn inspiration from his mother, despite her limited formal education.

“My mom did only eighth standard, but she knows life better than me,” he said.

IANS