What is your state of mind?
I am happy, at peace.

Sura has been torn by critics. There is always a negative talk about your films for the first three days of release. Does all this affect you?
It mattered to me a few years back but today I have crossed that stage. And bad reviews do not affect me or my film. It’s the audiences who decide the fate of a film not critics. Success or failures don’t matter to me. I take everything in my stride and move on. And I want to make a point to critics in general that they have all the right to point out mistakes in anybody’s films but not try to keep the audiences away from theatres as it affects the all-important 10 day business of any film.

What attracted you to do Sura, your 50th film?
For me, Sura is my next film after Vettaikaran. I never wanted it to be hyped as my 50th film.

There is an underlying message in the film. If you see my last few films, I fight for my love, friend, mother or sister. But here, hero Sura fights for an entire village full of poor, helpless people. I was very satisfied while doing the film and today (smiles) with the collection figures.

The release of every film of yours is an event in Tamilnadu. And Sura has taken a gargantuan opening in Tamilnadu and Kerala…
I owe it all to my audiences. They have supported me and encouraged me. I can’t ask for more. I give my fans due respect because I believe that you cannot be unfair to people who love you unconditionally.

They say that Sura has lot of political anecdotes. Please comment?
It was not deliberate attempt. After the script was complete, we thought that those dialogues were appropriate to the story as the villain is a corrupt politician.

Which is your favourite song in the film?
I like the two songs in the second half- Thanjavoor Jillakkari… and Naan Nadanthal Adhiradi. We didn’t want the normal introductory song and tried a subtle and underplayed Vanga Kadal Ellai.. number. And there is no Kuthu song in the 12th reel like in all my films.

Tell us about your Siddique directed Bodyguard remake from Malayalam?
First and foremost let me tell you assure you that the title of the film is not Kavalkaran as reported. We are yet to title the film. I saw the original and liked it. It has a different script not following the beaten track of my formula films. Small changes have been made by director Siddique but we have not tampered with the basic story.

Is Sanjay doing the role of your son in the film?
(Laughs) Not at all. We have not discussed anything like that at home.

How was it working with Asin after a long time?
She remains the same though she went to Bollywood in between. Her cooperation, dedication and timing is the same.

What about 3 Idiots remake that is doing the rounds?
It’s too early to talk about it. There were some initial talks about it with Gemini films but nothing concrete has been discussed.