'Manithan' is an important film in my career, says Udhayanidhi

Udhayanidhi Stalin plays a lawyer in his upcoming release and is not nervous that the Hindi version of the film was critically acclaimed. He will be seen in the shoes of Arshad Warsi in Manithan, the Tamil remake of Jolly LLB. Directed by Ahmed and starring Hansika, Prakash Raj and Radha Ravi in lead roles, Stalin has also produced the movie. This is the first time Udhayanidhi (son of  politician MK Stalin) has taken on an emotional yet serious role. In an exclusive chat with dna, he talks about the film, which is set to release on April 29, his co-stars and more. 

Manithan is the Tamil remake of Jolly LLB.

We have changed a lot of things to suit local sensibilities. In Hindi, it was a courtroom comedy-drama but we have added a lot of emotions and the heroine has a much bigger role. In Jolly LLB, the heroine doesn’t have too much screen time. Hansika is the driving force for the hero in Manithan. We have also added the role of a journalist which has been played by Aishwarya Rajesh. It’s small but important role. Prakash Raj plays Adiseshan, a lawyer and Radha Ravi plays Dhanapal, a judge. Vivekh is also in the film for comic relief in the Tamil version. Since it’s a serious emotional drama, we felt it would be better to have some comic relief interspersed in the film. We have retained the soul of Jolly LLB but changed the screenplay for the south audience. When you leave the theatre after watching the film, you will feel good for sure.

For the first time, you’re playing a more serious role. How was the experience?

After the first three films, I got bored because I was playing similar roles. So I tried the crime genre in Gethu. Ahmed and I had been discussing another script for six months called ‘Idhyam Murali’. Since that was a big budget film, we thought let’s do Manithan. I didn’t prepare much to play the role of a lawyer. But when Radha Ravi sir and Prakash Raj sir came on board, I became more confident since the casting was really good. During the shoot of the climax portions when I was on set with Prakash Raj sir, I got really scared. He had a lot of dialogues but he canned them in a single take. When he used to walk onto the set, he used to come like Adiseshan, the judge with a lot of attitude. Both Prakash Raj and Radha Ravi come with years of experience and I was caught between them. After two days, I told Prakash Raj sir, 'if you perform so brilliantly, I won’t even be visible on screen; I think I need close-up shots!' (laughs) He has tremendous screen presence and his acting is impeccable. Both of them encouraged me a lot and were very cooperative. During the scenes where we had to present our arguments in court, Prakash Raj used to shout at me but I don’t get angry at all. Radha Ravi sir used to tell me, “You’re acting very well; Prakash will keep shouting so just don’t worry.” They are very good friends. We had to do a lot of retakes. (Laughs)

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Were you able to remember your lengthy dialogues? 

I got the dialogues for the climax a week before we went to shoot. They were written by Ahmed and Ajayan Bala. I tried my best to deliver exactly as written but Ahmed gave us a little leeway. He said the exact meaning should be conveyed so the lines change a little here and there. It doesn’t matter because the scene is also emotional and I have to convey the emotions and deliver the dialogues. Learning those dialogues, was like studying for an exam! Everyone used to encourage me saying I’ll do well.

Ahmed sir told me in the beginning itself that the climax portions are the life of the film and the dialogues are important. I told him that he shouldn’t compromise and he could ask me for as many takes as needed. DOP R Madhi sir was also like the director of Manithan. He also used to give inputs on how artists can perform a scene better, etc. His inputs were phenomenal for this film. I have never met a cinematographer like this till date. Usually, they don’t get involved in the script but Madhi sir is different. Ahmed and Madhi have great chemistry and the three of us used to discuss things. 

Why did you think it necessary to extend the heroine’s (Hansika) role?

The story is quite serious and we need relief. But that doesn’t mean we had a song-and-dance in a bar in the middle of the film. Hansika will be present on and off throughout the film. We felt it was better to have a bigger screen presence for Hansika. It’s a different movie for her as well. She plays a girl-next-door; she’s a teacher.

Manithan doesn’t have the usual song-and-dance?

Actually, there is one song and I told them I danced well in Gethu so please let me dance for this. But the director and Shobi master refused to agree. (Laughs) In the Hindi version, before intermission, there’s a song at a wedding. But Ahmed felt that we shouldn’t have it in this film. There are four songs in Manithan and they are woven into the story. Music director Santosh Narayanan has composed some super songs for me in this film. The BGM is also very good.

How do you think you’ve performed in Manithan?

I think I could have done better. (Laughs) My wife Kiru (Kiruthiga) saw the film and she said it was my career best. Music director Santosh Narayanan saw the film and he congratulated me saying I’ve acted for the first time and it’ll be a superhit. After he said this, I got a feeling that I passed the test. It’s an important film for all of us.

So with Manithan you’ll prove you can act as well. 

I’m not here to prove anything to anyone. I’ve just made a good film. (Laughs)

Will this movie help you pick better scripts in future? 

This is the first time I’ve done an emotional film. Radha Ravi sir calls me once a day and tells me don’t accept any script till this movie releases. He tells me to look for emotional scripts rather than the comic song-and-dance routine as there are many actors who can do that. He feels I excel in this type of role. So I asked him, “Sir, will you give me the same advice on April 29?” (Laughs) Radha Ravi sir is very confident about the film. His role was played by Saurabh Shukla in the Hindi version and he went on to bag the National Award. 

Have your parents seen Manithan yet?

No, I’m waiting to show it to them. Dad and mom are busy with the election campaign but they’ll watch it soon.