BEYOND THE SPOTLIGHT

FOLLOWING THE PROMISING RUN OF HIS DIRECTORIAL DEBUT, SATISH KRISHNAN JOINED US FOR A LAUGHTER-FILLED, CRACKLING INTERVIEW

- BY SHAHUL HAMEED Photography: Chandru Mahendran

Long before Reels and Shorts ruled our screens, it was reality dance shows that kept the '90s kids glued to their televisions.

Those contestants didn't just perform, they became household names, finding a place in Tamil living rooms and hearts alike. One such gifted soul was Satish Krishnan.

Quick-witted and effortlessly funny, Satish soon moved from stage to screen, taking on supporting roles that showcased his natural ease. His creative spark then led him behind the camera, choreographing films and even winning a National Award.

Just as the '90s gang celebrated him, Satish surprised everyone again — stepping into filmmaking with Kiss, a fantasy rom-com that added another feather to his ever-growing hat.

It may seem like a simple journey, but beneath it lies relentless effort, bold choices, and above all, a fearless attitude.

It was quite a surprise to see you don the director’s hat. How did that happen? Was filmmaking something you’d been planning for a long time?

This journey began when I was a dancer. I learnt dance, I taught dance, and eventually became a choreographer. When you choreograph a song, you're also directing it in a way, and that's what naturally pulled me toward filmmaking. There were so many stories around me, and I thought, Why not turn them into films?

That doesn't mean you can ask, 'Do you really know someone's future if they kiss in front of you?' (laughs). It's not like that. I just wanted to take an interesting idea and root it in an emotionally resonant story. That's all I tried to do

Tamil cinema rarely ventures into magical realism. What inspired you to explore that space, and what gave you the confidence to take that creative risk?

For me, taking risks is like eating rusk (a popular Tamil cinema line).