Ten years ago, actor Gautam Karthik made his debut with Mani Ratnam Kadal, Life went on, he signed one movie after another, took long rides on his Harley Davidson, and in his spare time, jammed with a band in town called Incarcerated. Cut to 2023, and the back-to-back releases with newly married Gautam’s life now “a bit busy”. But he has no complaints. “I wanted to run and work out for a long time. I think everything is going well now,” he says.
Between 2017 and 2019, Gautam featured in nine films, but as with everyone, the pandemic slowed things down. The actor says the pandemic was an opportunity to focus more internally. “I look back on my journey; I’ve had both hits and flops, and I started analyzing what worked, what didn’t, what I needed to work on, what I should start avoiding, and so on.
Gautam has three releases coming up – Pathu ThalaSilambarasan TR (Releasing March 3), co-starring NS Ponkumar August 16, 1947 (April 7), and debutant director Dakshinamurthy Ramar’s criminalWhich is in post-production. August 16, 1947 is a period film that tells the story of a village in Tamil Nadu during Indian independence, which fought against the colonialists. It is Gautham’s character who leads the fight. “He is not a freedom fighter. He is a man who is driven by love to overcome his fears, and in doing so inspires the village,” says Gautam, without revealing much of the plot.
Much has been said about the importance of set design, make-up and costumes in bringing a period film to an authentic audience. But do they help the actor in his performance? “Some actors can perform without any of these and some with only them. I take everything from my surroundings, including my costume because I have to start believing that I am the character. For example, in August 16, 1947once you put it on saku pie (burlap), vesti, and go barefoot, your body language and dialogue delivery will change. Gautam says that even speaking in a particular language can affect facial expressions. He added, “I believe that if I keep all these things in mind and transform my character into something, it will look authentic.”
Gautam in a scene from ’16 August 1947′ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
gautam upcoming movie Pathu Thala Billed as a remake of the 2017 Kannada hit film plain dress But the actor says he is hesitant to call it a remake. “I don’t think we can compare the two. plain dress It is one of my favorite films and so when director Northen asked me to do it, I was more than happy. Narthan sir could not continue with the project and Obeli N Krishna sir came and developed the script into a more Tamil-oriented film,” he says.
Norton wanted Gautham to play the role that Srimurali had played in the original. “I asked him whether I was suitable for the role as Srimurli sir’s screen presence was powerful.” But Krishna’s script seems to have changed the character to something more that would suit Gautham. “I don’t think I can do justice to what Srimurli sir did. His body language and screen presence are completely different, but I have brought what I could.” However, thanks to Krishna’s changes, Gautham says he can see it as a new film without the pressure of a remake.
Gautam in a still from ‘Pathu Thala’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Gautam is not new to multi-hero subjects since his debut for last year yutha satham, But considering how tight filmmaking is, every second counts and an actor has everything to focus on, can an actor learn from Silambarasan, a veteran in this matter? Says Gautam, “Leave alone senior actors, even a junior actor or a child artist can teach you something.” “Yes, we need to focus on what we are doing, but it is good to see how others are doing because it can lead to something new. It is a beautiful way to develop, and very All actors do that,” he says.
Gautam is not ready to tell much about this criminal just yet. However, it is interesting to note how all three have their own perspective on law and injustice, albeit at different times, despite choosing each of these scripts on their own merits. However, Gautam explains it as a mere coincidence.
For an actor who got into films without any training, Gautham says he wouldn’t have asked for a different journey and what he has learned from success and failure has been valuable. “I regret not going to dance classes – dancing is one of my biggest fears – and stunt training. But I always have time to learn.” He sees these past 10 years as an experimental journey. “I’m still finding that niche where I fit in. As of now, I still have the freedom to try things and see how they work.” I think that’s what my journey in life will be – to keep learning and improving. He has all the goals that any actor would have, but it’s more important not to put himself in a box,” he says. We need to keep changing ourselves, and examine what is working and what is not working.”
Gautam Karthik | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Creative people are susceptible to getting into a mental or emotional pit that is difficult to climb out of. Gautam has seen his share of ups and downs and believes there is one thing all actors should hold onto to protect themselves in times like these: people who treat them as normal. “When you’re successful, you’ll find tag-alongs who will cheer for you but make you feel completely lost when you fall. They’re toxic, and will make sure you keep spiraling downward,” he says. is that an actor needs people who can tell him to his face when he’s wrong. “And whether you give a hit or a flop, they’ll treat you like a normal human being. They’ll press you, and put you in the gutter.” Will take it out.
Gautam sold his Harley Davidson during the pandemic, but now that he has cleared most of his backlog, he hopes to get back to riding a bike, “or playing his guitar”. Now, does he have musical aspirations too? “No, these things are only for Manav Gautam, not for actor Gautam. Gautam Manav finds peace of mind just by sitting alone in a room, playing a few notes and listening to himself.