Q/ Your thoughts about Justice Chandru?
A/I first met Chandru sir much before the film—through Tha. Se. Gnanavel, director of Jai Bhim. We were told that he was a disruptor and a changemaker. We also got to know that he never charged fees for human rights cases.
After knowing more about him and his younger days, and after reading his books, we felt that his story should reach every corner of the world. People like him are unsung heroes and we thought we must share his story and ignite young minds, and this case (depicted in Jai Bhim) was a remarkable one.
Another interesting fact about Jai Bhim is that a High Court setting has not been done before, at least not in recent Tamil films. So, all these things motivated me to choose Jai Bhim as the project where I played a lawyer for the first time.
Q/ How was your experience of working in Jai Bhim and playing advocate Chandru?
A/This film was not in my comfort zone. It did not have a layout or pattern or sketch resembling any of my previous films. The whole pattern—storytelling, the actors involved and the emotions—was a little intense. It is just not entertainment; it will definitely move and impact you. I am sure this film will be remembered for a long time. It was definitely a huge responsibility, but a good one to take on.
Q/ Do you feel that it is your social responsibility as an artist to work in films like Jai Bhim?
A/It is more about how we want to celebrate unsung heroes. It is also definitely a responsibility that comes with the story, because it deals with a tribal woman, a fight for justice, and what it takes for the victims to approach the High Court.
It is not a normal situation and [the movie shows] how people can make that change, how one person can be that change. And I think [there is] nothing like telling a true story. When we are able to do that, we hope we can bring in true change or awareness in our society. I believe that true incidents will definitely bring in true change. And I think the entire cast, the writers and the director got everything right and did not blow anything out of proportion. It was handled with a lot of care.
Q/ In the 1960s, we saw films which shaped the politics in Tamil Nadu. Do you think Jai Bhim is the kind of movie which could shape present-day politics?
A/No. That was not our agenda. It was more about what happened in 1995. It was just one case which was handled by Chandru sir. And we had to tell the story. We see through this film that a lot of people in our society have different perspectives regarding certain things. It talks about how the judiciary and the police should work hand in hand to make things right and deliver justice. I don’t think it talks about current politics or about making immediate changes.
We have so many laws and the media is playing a fantastic role and everybody is aware of so many things. It is just that every time, we the people, have to march towards a better society. So, when we talk about true stories, it definitely tells about how our people have lived and stood for things, and how we can march towards a better society.
Q/ Your character in the movie fights for the rights of a community. In real life, too, you have been voicing your opinion about rights.
A/I think I am really blessed to have a lot of people and things around me, so I never had to raise my voice for my family or my personal needs. But there are people whom we watch, whom we connect with, whom we work with, and they are very close to my heart.
In the past, I have voiced my opinions and have tried to be their voice. It is for my NGO for which I had to come out and talk. It has nothing to do with politics. It is about watching out for the right things and trying to get the right changes for our fellow human beings.
Q/ How did you prepare for your role in Jai Bhim? Any memorable experiences during the shooting?
A/Chandru sir is a wonderful person to know, to interact with and to spend time with. As I keep saying, every time you meet him, even if it is for five minutes—it could be a short car trip, or just walking him to his car or a conversation over a cup of tea—he will have a new incident to share.
He came to our shooting location one day, and it was a wonderful experience to see him. As I said, we have never had a courtroom drama in Tamil films, at least not recently. He could see every minute detail and he appreciated everything. And he also saw how I was talking like him and arguing like him before the camera. That was a wonderful experience.
Q/ In the film you fight for justice. But do you think somewhere the most oppressed people, like the ones shown in the film, do not seek justice because it is a long and difficult process?
A/I think law is the only hope for the oppressed. When they are denied ration cards, voter IDs or community certificates, they first go to the police station. And when something is not settled there, then with the help of other people, they approach the legal system, like the lady in the movie.
It was a very long fight for her, but she did not have any other option. These are some of the small things which I came across in our legal system. During 200 years of British rule, there were only 400 laws. But within 40 years of our Independence, we had 4,000 laws. Yet, it is all about how you use the laws and how you get justice.
Sometimes, these changemakers come and make it happen for the most deprived people. It is their life which we are trying to tell through this tribal woman’s story. We are also trying to portray the beautiful life of those lawyers. They are selfless. They don’t expect anything. Lawyers like Chandru sir, they don’t take a penny for a human rights case. So, I think it is beautiful to know about them and talk about them.