Ahead of the release of 'Chinna Babu' on July 13, Karthi today got busy promoting his film in Hyderabad.  In this interview, he talks about the subject of the movie, turning a producer or a director, his upcoming projects, doing multi-starrers and more.  

You recently said that working with director Pandiraj was a great experience.  What made you want to work with him?  Why the title 'Chinna Babu'?

Pandiraj garu has made the National Award-winning 'Pasanga' in the past.  It was not just about children but also relevant for elders.  It said a lot of precious things about parenting.  I always wanted to work with him.  But it didn't happen until 'Chinna Babu'.  As for the title, I play a son who is born after five girl children.  That's why the title.

The film raise a toast to farming.  Isn't it?

The father is a farmer.  The son too is into the same.  Just as doctors and such professionals mention their profession on their vehicles, Chinna Babu's vehicle too says that he is a farmer.  I do organic farming in the film.  He is proud to make Rs. 1 lakh per month.  He is proud to look after the wellbeing of his sisters and their children.  

Is it a joint family story?

Children are valued a lot in our culture.  They are a treasure.  They are shown as a treasure in the film.  Family relations have a primacy in the story.  I had never done a film like this before.  It was a great feeling to share screen space with a large family.  Every artiste is part of the story.  He or she is not part of a crowd.   The film is true-to-life.  Just as there is fun in our lives, there is comedy in this film, too.  There are also other emotions.  

Everyone seems to be a good person in this film.  Aren't there villains in the movie?

There are villains.  Shatru is playing an antagonist.  He plays my classmate.  He has a grudge against me because I am a topper.  The rivalry is very realistic.  

Have you shown farming only in a positive light?  Have you experienced farming?

When it comes to agriculture, the media typically highlights only negative things.  It's because it wants to hold a mirror to the government.  But the coin has another side.  'Chinna Babu' talks about the extent of organic farming in Germany, how Kerala is famous for it, etc.  Pandiraj was a farmer as a school-goer.  He would tell me how to behave like a farmer.  I just followed him.  I used to do farming from 6 in the morning.  My wife is the daughter of a farmer.  We go to a village during a vacation.  My daughter lives in a village during holidays.  I have a direct connection with farming.  My uncle (father's elder brother) is a farmer.  We are getting him to do organic farming.  It's a long-term thing and the farmer needs to wait for 3-4 years.  My father would go to a village every time he is bored with city life.  

What about the nativity factor, given that village life is distinct in Tamil Nadu compared to the Telugu States?

The cultures of the Telugus and Tamils are more or less similar.  Farming is common everywhere.  I have tried the Godavari slang in the movie.  So, you will get to see a hero in such a slang once again after 'Rangasthalam'.  The audience will remember their family members, their sisters, their sisters' husbands while watching the movie.  The younger generation can see our culture in this movie.

How was it working with Suriya, your brother, who is this film's producer?

He is a good producer.  He trusted the director completely and left everything to his prerogative.  He never came to the shooting spot even for one day.  But he did give me some pieces of advice.  When I asked him as to how the film is, he told me the audience will tell that.  

Tell us about D Imman's music.

Imman gives his best for all the movies he does.  He has given an excellent music for this film, too.  When he watched the film for re-recording, he said that it felt like being with his family.

What are your interests aside from acting?

Suriya started doing films many years ago.  He turned a producer much later.  I am acting since 10 years now.  When I don't like my own acting, I will turn a producer.  I wanted to be a director to begin with.  But when I see the directors working so hard, I find it too greedy to become a director.  With age, as wisdom grows, one can try direction.  But acting is something which one can do only when age is on his side.  

What's your next project? Is there going to be a sequel to 'Khakee'?  Are you game for multi-starrers?

I am going to do an 'Awara'-like movie with Rakul Preet Singh as the heroine.  As for Khakee's sequel, director Vinoth garu is yet to narrate a story to me.  If he comes up with a script, I am game for it.  I am also waiting to do a straight Telugu film.  I will do it once I get the right script.  I have been waiting since 'Oopiri'.  I usually don't do multi-starrers.  I am not enamoured of them.  I did 'Oopiri' because I loved the script.