For all those who slammed Azhagarsaamiyin Kuthirai, the double recognition at the National Awards must have come as quite a shock. The movie won in the Most Popular Film category as well as it’s lead, actor Appukutty won the Best Supporting Actor award. “I am very happy, elated, excited,” gushes director Suseenthiran. “The movie did not do well commercially. And I had almost forgotten that it had even been sent to be adjudged at the National Awards. News that it has won two awards, came as such a surprise. We had absolutely no expectations. My hero Appukutty is on cloud nine! What with the movie not doing well at the box office, we just did not expect such recognition!”

“When I cast Appukutty in the lead role in the movie Azhagarsaamyin Kuthirai, I received quite a lot of negative feedback. But I went ahead and made the movie. The reviews were very mixed and the movie did not do well commercially. As a creative person it is always difficult to see one of your creations fail. But you just have to try and take the criticism well and learn from your mistakes. That’s how I felt with Azhagarsaamiyin Kuthirai. But now, the awards have truly made me happy,” reveals directed Suseenthiran.