Exclusive: Vishal opens up about the recent Nadigar Sangam controversies

Vishal is not just a Kollywood star, but also the General Secretary of the Nadigar Sangam (South Indian Film Artistes Association). He has been continuously shooting for his films while spearheading numerous initiatives for the Nadigar Sangam. In this exclusive chat with dna, he talks about the recent controversies, his films and plans of the Nadigar Sangam.

How successful was the Nadigar Sangam celebrity cricket match?
It was a big success in terms of the money we raised from the event. We were able to get Rs 14 crore apart from the expenses incurred. We paid off the Rs 2 crore debt and we had a surplus of Rs 8.5 crore. Moreover, in terms of bringing the whole south Indian film industry as one, we were really successful. I could see it in the eyes of every actor who came from other states. The unity that was seen was phenomenal.

There was some talk of disputes in the Nadigar Sangam.
There can never be a dispute in the Nadigar Sangam right now because it’s open governance. The elected members and office-bearers are all on the same wavelength. None of us have a hidden or different agenda. When it came to the celebrity cricket match there was a lot of criticism and statements being made unofficially. That’s the reason why there was an uneasiness. But for any good thing, you have to face the wrong side of it as well. 

Your team won with a clear majority and were elected as the office-bearers. What do you think caused this friction?
There were unconfirmed sources saying, why does Nadigar Sangam have to go to the public to raise money for the construction of the building. It’s not like we are trying to fleece people. Any star show which has happened anywhere has a ticketing norm and we went by that. We didn’t force the general public to come for the event. It was a large-scale event and we decided to ticket it. There were rumours that Ajith had said that there was no necessity to take money from the public. We kept clarifying that this statement which he supposedly said, was a rumour. This was the only hitch that happened in the entire course of the event. It was a healthy event otherwise.

Like you said, there was some criticism as to why you were raising money from the public. On social media, people asked why actors who earned in crores couldn’t contribute. 
Contributing from all quarters has been there for all incidents and not just for Nadigar Sangam. Right from the Chennai floods and rehabilitation of people, actors who belong to the Nadigar Sangam have stepped up to contribute. I don’t want to reiterate who did what and how much. Regarding the Nadigar Sanagam building, through Kamal sir we got Rs 1 crore from Lyca. Karthi, Suriya and Sivakumar sir’s family are contributing for the preview theatre. Isari Ganesh is contributing for the smaller kalyana mandapam (wedding hall). Everyone is pitching in but that is a completely different scenario. The cricket match was treated just as an event – to be honest, we made about Rs 37 lakhs from ticketing the event. From this amount, we gave Rs 10 lakh to building a home for HIV-affected children. So we are doing our bit, but whatever you do, there’s always a negativity attached to it. We just have to forget that and move forward now.

Do you have more initiatives planned to raise money?
We had four initiatives, one of which was the cricket match. The second initiative was that Karthi and I planned to do a film together free of cost and give the proceedings to the Nadigar Sangam. We are yet to find a suitable script. Thirdly, Nasser’s dream is to do a huge musical like ‘Ponniyan Selvan’ with actors and theatre artists. We are planning a three country show. Nasser is working on it. Fourthly, we’re launching a membership for the state-of-the-art gym and spa in the new building. The membership fee will be like a surplus fund for us. So as and when we run out of funds, we’ll hop onto the next initiative. (smiles)

What’s the plan for the Nadigar Sangam building?
We are at stage two now. We’ve signed up with an architectural firm and we need to get government approvals. By July, we should start construction and on paper, we have set a date of January 14, 2018 for the inauguration. 

Simbu has now said he’s quitting the Nadigar Sangam. 
As a General Secretary, this is something new to the Nadigar Sangam because there are members who actually want to join and be associated with us. Only then we can help them in future. Simbu quitting the Nadigar Sangam is his personal choice. 

But Simbu claims that the Nadigar Sangam didn’t help him.
Our stand is that we did give a lending hand and said let’s put a full stop to the issues he was facing. I spoke to him personally as well. But you can’t thrust your opinion on someone. When I spoke to him, I told him my opinion and then it was up to him to do what he decides. When an actor is in distress, it’s our duty to come forward and help. But in spite of all that, if they say we didn’t help or are on the wrong foot, I would negate everything. We are on the right track and we’re doing our best to do good – not for our families, but for the deprived families. It’s Simbu’s choice, but I would suggest that he not leave the Nadigar Sangam. 

Moving on to your films, when is Madha Gaja Raja releasing?
I seriously have no clue! But Marudhu is slated for release on May 20 in both Telugu and Tamil. It’s a proper rustic action entertainer. 

Your collaboration with Mysskin is interesting.
It’s interesting for me too! (smiles) I’ve known Mysskin for nearly eight years now and we’ve always wanted to do a film together. But the time wasn’t right. The Thupparivaalan script which he narrated to me is a really interesting genre – like a Sherlock Holmes film. I’m looking forward to that film. I’ll be starting the film on June 15. So I’ll have three films this year – Marudhu, Kathi Sandai and Thupparivaalan.

Tell us about Kathi Sandai.
It’s directed by Suraaj, so there’ll be comedy and action. I’m working with Vadivelu anna after nine years. Soori and Vadivelu will be coming together for the first time on screen. Hip Hop Aadhi is the music director.

It's rumoured you favour Hip Hop Aadhi over GV Prakash.
Not at all! GV is like my kid brother and we always hang out when we get a chance. Aadhi is a talent which director Sundar C found. It’s good to promote new talent so it gives a choice as well. When youngsters are coming up, we must give them a chance. Aadhi is definitely the next-gen music director. 

Your last few films have been masala entertainers.
I also experiment, like when I did Pandiyanaadu and Naan Sigappu Manithan. But you have to do what sells because at the end of the day numbers matter. We all live on the edge. Your last Friday matters for an actor. So I go by the track record. When you see the trailer of Marudhu, you’ll say I’m doing a masala entertainer again. (smiles)

Bollywood talks about Rs 300 crore films, now Kollywood is talking about Rs 100 crore films. 
I seriously don’t know whether the numbers are true sometimes. It’s about the producer being happy – when he makes money he comes back to the film industry. A producer who doesn’t make money will try once more and then quit. We need profitable producers. Numbers will reflect automatically on the producers’ return to films. Announcing that your film has made so many crores is good if the film really has, but projecting it when it hasn’t is just publicity for a day. Today nobody’s bothered – they watch a film now, forget about it and move on to the next film. Rs 100 core is an achievement when you truly achieve it. 

On another note, when are you getting married?
Not for now! (laughs) I’m waiting for my dream building to come up. I’m not ready for marriage. I still don’t have the mindset for marriage.