Hiphop Tamizha Adhi on ‘Kadaisi Ulaga Por’: ‘I write high moments for the film, not for the actors’

“Nothing is bigger than the movie”

When asked how he managed to keep his creative process clear, given he’s juggling many roles, Adhi, in an interaction with indianexpress.com, said, “I approach these multiple roles as a single entity. Even when I’m scripting, I write down pointers about the kind of logistics, props, and musical cues we would need for the scene.”

When there’s a conflict between the roles, however, the director in him takes over. “I can only write for the characters, not myself,” Adhi said. He illustrated this with an example from his debut film “Meesaya Murukku,” where the action scenes were written for his on-screen brother, and not for the character he played. “In ‘Kadaisi Ulaga Por,’ the film’s high moments are seen from Natty’s perspective. I don’t write scenes to elevate stars but to elevate the film. Nothing is bigger than the movie.”

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“Controlling ego is most important”

Adhi, known for writing compelling roles for each principal character, is always supported by a strong ensemble cast, a healthy mix of experienced actors and debutants. In “Kadaisi Ulaga Por,” the cast includes Nasser, Natty, Thalaivasal Vijay, and Singampuli. With such a talented lineup, does Adhi get overwhelmed? “All I need to know is the strengths of my actors, and I take their inputs. I don’t insist on them delivering my dialogues verbatim. Many of my actors can easily elevate the character with their mannerisms and dialogue delivery. Why should I control that flow and mould it to my preconceived needs?” the director asked.

However, Adhi is no pushover. He recalls scrapping a few scenes on set that didn’t translate well on screen despite working well on paper. “As a composer, I can tell when a scene lacks rhythm. Letting go of the writer’s ego is essential. It isn’t easy, but it’s easier than watching the film not working,” he said. 

Hiphop Tamizha Adhi from the sets of Kadaisi Ulaga Por

“90 per cent of audience watch films for relaxation”

Unlike Adhi’s previous films, Kadaisi Ulaga Por tackles serious topics like war, capitalism, and politics, with Adhi playing an action hero handling guns, machetes, deer antlers, and even bombs like it is nobody’s business. Adhi, however, clarified that the film, despite its scale, is an entertainer. “My equation with cinema is simple: I like films that are fun and make me happy. I believe 90 per cent of the audience watches films to relax. I don’t want to make emotionally stirring films,” he shares.

“Kadaisi Ulaga Por”, Adhi shared, was initially envisioned as a song-less film. However, it now features 11 tracks as part of the OST rather than standalone songs. “There were no fixed parameters for the film. I just went with the flow,” he said.

Watch the trailer here

“I want to say something with my art” 

Even though Adhi is a steadfast believer of seeing cinema as a medium of entertainment, all of his films have had a “message”. “I want to say something with my art. I want people to take something away from my films, even when they are thoroughly entertained,” said Adhi, who assures that “Kadaisi Ulaga Por” will not be preachy.

Adhi acknowledged that some of what he tried to say with his films have been misconstrued in the past on social media, leading to trolls and negative comments. “I’ve learned to differentiate between constructive criticism and trolling. My friends and I laugh at the trolls, especially if they’re legit. Social media is a free feedback system, after all,” he said.

“I have no ego in apologising. As an artist, I have a social responsibility to ensure I don’t deliver the wrong message to my fans. Take, for instance, the unconditional apology and clarification I gave for singing Clubbula Mabbula as a young rapper,” Adhi said. 

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“It is only a matter of time before indie songs move ahead of film songs”

As we wrapped up the conversation, we touched upon a topic dear to the multi-hyphenated talent –independent music. As a pioneer in the scene, Adhi is optimistic about the future of indie songs. Radio stations and television channels that once rejected independent music now showcase it regularly. “Indian cinema will eventually follow the West in using indie songs in films rather than composing new ones,” said Adhi. “Indie songs are from an artist’s unique perspective, and that’s a powerful thing.”

“Whenever something new enters the mainstream, there’s pushback. Artists like Arivu, Paal Dabba, and Kelithee are inspirations for many young people, and their success signals the growth of specialised arts and the expansion of the music environment,” he said.

In Adhi’s view, evolution in music—and society—is always a good sign. “Indie music is here to stay, and it will continue to evolve. You just can’t stop it.”