Sethu was showing in nine theatres simultaneously in the city! Till it completed 75 days, it was there in all the nine theatres and It was unprecedented, perhaps in the history of Indian cinema itself. That was the first time in my life that I have gone to a theatre and seen my film so many times.
After the second or the third week, I knew it would be a hit.
Sethu was not just another hit. Sethu not only smashed box office records, it also gave Bala and me a stamp of approval unlike any other. Suddenly Bala was not just a first-time director who had made a hit debut film. He was a genius in the making. Already people were waiting to see what he did next. Vikram was no longer just another actor who gave a hit film. I was the actor who finally got his due after years and years of struggle. Finally a movie came that did due justice to the actor. Of course, now everyone said that they knew all along that I would eventually make it I had only proved them right. Suddenly I was everybody's discovery.
The ostracized leper had graduated to being accepted.
My wife Shaila too says, ‘ Kenny, before ‘Sethu’ you did not know acting but after ‘Sethu’ I realised that there is an artiste within you”.
Working with Bala was an experience in itself. Though it was his first film he never compromised. He was a perfectionist. He was very cool, very confident even then. Technically there may be flaws. But we all knew that we were doing something different. Bala was a strong motivating factor. And he had complete faith in me.
The best compliment I received for 'Sethu’ was from P.C. Sriram. After seeing the film he said, "So, you've finally become an actor!" An ordinary statement, but coming from P.C. it was great. Next it was from my dad. For my parents wedding anniversary I had given my mom a saree. I asked my father what he wanted. He said, "Give me a good film". Much later when he saw 'Sethu' he said. "Thanks for the gift'. I asked him, what gift? He said 'remember my anniversary gift. This is a great film'. Then there was this person who went to a neighbouring town to see the film. He saw the 1 p.m. show and stayed back to see the next three shows too. Another one rang up and said that his mother had seen the film, returned home and was crying the whole time. It is all so touching. It feels so nice.
Success speaks louder than an actor. It is not your looks or your acting capabilities but a ‘big hit’ that counts. Any actor becomes a star only after you deliver a smash hit. And in my case I had to wait for almost 10 years to get that hit and ‘Chiyaan’ of Sethu made me a household name.
Even the day while I was shooting near Mahabalipuram a few young boys came up to me and asked me “Chiyaan, What is your real name?” When I told them that my name is Kuppusamy, they believed!
I didn't worry much for not getting National award for Sethu just because of one vote difference. I have bagged about ten special awards. I was aware that I may not get the national award, but when I learnt that I missed the bus just by the narrowest of margins I became a little happy. The fact that only one vote separated me from the national award contributes to the growth of my self-confidence. The day is not far off from my winning the national award!
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