Sivakarthikeyan reveals why he once considered quitting cinema; opens up about the hostility he faced from some quarters: ‘Only Ajith sir and Vikram sir…’

While basking in the massive success of director Rajkumar Periasamy’s biographical war actioner Amaran, Sivakarthikeyan is equally thrilled about the promising projects on his horizon, including one each with directors AR Murugadoss and Sudha Kongara. An outsider who entered the world of cinema through television shows, Sivakarthikeyan initially played supporting roles before transitioning into lead characters and eventually becoming a crowd-puller. Today, he stands as one of the most promising actors in Tamil cinema, commanding a massive fan base. However, did you know that Sivakarthikeyan once considered quitting the industry altogether? Yes, you heard that right. The actor recently opened up about why he reached this decision three years ago and the reasons that ultimately made him stay.

“I never complain about this industry, even though a lot happens around me. I only have complaints about the people. I am still passionate and want to continue here, but I didn’t want my struggles to affect my family. They are living a normal, regular life. My pressures and financial struggles, why should they bother my wife, mom, in-laws or my kids? In that perspective, I said ‘Enough. For my passion, you all are adjusting. Let me live for you.’ I wasn’t sure what we would do next, but I trusted we’d figure it out. After all, I hold an MBA,” Sivakarthikeyan shared during a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India.

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Reflecting on how his wife Aarthi encouraged him to persevere, Sivakarthikeyan said, “She told me, ‘You didn’t have anything and you have come so far. In the last 20 years, after Ajith sir and Vikram sir, no outsider became big in this industry and you have achieved it. It’s not an easy thing. Don’t leave this.’ She said since they are enjoying the benefits (of his stardom), they can manage this (the negative aspects) too.”

The actor also opened up about the challenges he faced due to his success, including instances where people were openly hostile toward him. Reflecting on his experiences, he admitted that surviving in the industry has been incredibly difficult, particularly in the last five years. “Few in this industry were very much welcoming, seeing a common man entering and rising through the ranks, but a few other groups weren’t ok with it. They were like, ‘Why is he getting it? Who is he to get that?’ Many have asked me such questions to my face: ‘Who are you in this industry? what are you doing here?’ I faced that so many times. I just smile and move on, without even replying. I don’t even say ‘My success is the answer to them.’ No, my success is not for that. It is for my films’ teams who work 100 per cent, my fans who celebrate me irrespective of my movies’ results and those people who wish to become like me.”