Ashok Selvan Opens Up ‘Por Thozhil’ Success, Recent Growth Of Tamil Cinema, And More

Ashok Selvan, one of the most bankable stars of Tamil cinema, has enjoyed a decade-long successful career, having starred in interesting projects including ‘Sila Samayangalil’ (2016), ‘Kootathil Oruthan’ (2017), ‘Kadavule (2020)’, among others. He made his debut in Telugu cinema with ‘Ninnila Ninnila’ (2021), and followed up with his Malayalam debut with Priyadarshan's ‘Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea’ (2021) in 2021, where he played the antagonist. Not just films, he has been part of web series like ‘Edhiri: Karuna’ (2021) on Netflix. 

In his last project, a crime thriller film ‘Por Thozhil’, Selvan plays a police officer. Directed by Vignesh Raja, the film also stars R. Sarathkumar, and revolves around the gruesome murder of a young girl. The film received positive reviews and became a commercial success when it released in theatres on June 9, and finally, is available for streaming on SonyLIV since August 11.

In an exclusive conversion with Outlook, Selvan opened up on the success of ‘Por Thozhil’, and how Tamil films are now making their mark, in terms of critics and box office. 

Excerpts from the interview:

How did you take the ‘Por Thozhil’ success, what has changed since then?

I think I can command bigger budgets for my next projects, I want to do some ambitious projects. So, I think I can greenlight them. And, it is sweet that you work hard for something and it works out. Hence, all members, including myself, are happy and we are just enjoying ourselves. There’s also a lot of takeaway from the success of the film, it is huge learning. It is also reassuring to me that I should do something when I trust my instincts. 

With the film’s OTT release now, what are you looking forward to?

A wider audience, to be honest. The film did not release in Telugu states or the north. So we are looking at reaching more people and hearing from them. The film does not pertain to Tamil local boundaries, it has a universal approach and people watching from anywhere would be entertained. 

The film is a two-hero project, did you have any apprehensions about it before you signed the film? 

Absolutely, no apprehensions. I was happy with the script and the way my character was written. Also because when I start thinking that it is a two-hero film and all, I would not be true to my craft. I liked my role, and performed it as honestly as possible.

How was it to work with Sarath Kumar?

Sarath Kumar sir is fun to work with. He is easy to work with, and he comes with a lot of experience. He has done close to 150 films, it is good to hang out with people like him and learn from them. That’s what I did. 

A lot of Tamil films are now making their mark in terms of critics and box office. What’s it been like for you, does it change the way you look at films/scripts?

No, it is the same. First and foremost, the script is important and my role, how it is written. The same, I feel, is for all the industries, not just Tamil cinema. Only certain films make it to the mark, that they are both critically and commercially well. Only 5-10 percent of the total films in India are part of film. Off late, the Tamil film industry is performing well, specially with newcomers and new directors. I am really happy that the myth that only package films with big heroes and directors work. If the content is presented well, it would perform well. That thought process has now been established. 

What kind of roles do you want to do now post Por Thozhil?

Anything that inspires me and touches the hearts of the people.

Lastly, what’s coming up next for you? 

I am really excited about ‘Blue Star’, which is backed by Pa Ranjith. It is set in the 90s and revolves around cricket. There are two other rom coms, which are also coming out soon.