No Other Actor Would Have Agreed To Do Tourist Family

Sasikumar, who will next be seen in Tourist Family, speaks about his favourite aspect of his role in the film, working with more than ten debut directors, his plans to re-release Easan, and more

- PRASHANTH VALLAVAN

Directors who turn actors often talk about how once they are cast in a film, they switch off their filmmaker personality and focus on their performances alone. However, sometimes, the directorial instincts might take over. In Sasikumar's case that happened as soon as he was approached for his upcoming family drama, Tourist Family. "After I read the script, I realised that nobody would agree to do this film except me," he says with lighthearted confidence. "I know that no other actor in Tamil cinema would be perfect for that role because you have to play the father of a 16-year-old boy. Either the stars would ask to remove the 16-year-old son from the story or they would insist on playing that role as well," he laughs. According to the actor-director, the Tourist Family team did end up facing these issues while trying to cast for the role of Das, before they eventually set their eyes on Sasikumar.

Known for playing rustic, rugged roles, Sasikumar was looking for something different when Tourist Family arrived as the perfect opportunity. "Apart from the fact that it was a good story, I was also looking for such a family entertainer," he says.

Further delving into his favourite aspects of the story, Sasikumar says, "Tourist Family speaks of humanitarian values. The film is about a Sri Lankan Tamil immigrant family but it never exploits their plight for sympathy. Whenever Tamil films set their story around Sri Lankan Tamils, they mostly tend to be full of misery, violence, or fiery chest-thumping dialogues.

I liked how Tourist Family didn't take that approach. It shows how this particular family tries to deal with their difficulties in a lighthearted manner." The most appealing characteristic of Das, his role in the film, he believes, is how he deals with his struggles and remains a likeable person.