'Game Changers with Suhasini Maniratnam' is the latest big initiative of Galatta Media where famous names from Tamil and Indian cinema share their experiences. The new interview series follows the successfully star-studded events like Galatta Nakshathra Awards 2018, Galatta Debut Awards 2019, Galatta Wonder Women Awards 2019, Galatta Indian Cinema Conclave 2022, The Galatta Crown 2022, and Galatta Digital Stars 2022. As the first interview, The National award-winning actress Suhasini Maniratnam interviewed the well-known Tamil director Vignesh Shivan for a super exclusive interview.
Vignesh Shivan is a popular filmmaker and his recent venture was Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal starring Vijay Sethupathi, Nayanthara and Samantha Ruth Prabhu. The director made his debut with the film Podaa Podi and went on to do many popular films including Naanum Rowdy Dhaan and Thaanaa Serndha Koottam and is also a well-known lyricist. During the 'Game Changers with Suhasini Maniratnam' interview, the director and lyricist opened up about many interesting details and about his upcoming projects. As the Suhasini asked how Vignesh Shivan did engineering though his parents were police officers. The director said “No, I studied in engineering college but, did not study engineering. There was a course called Electronic Media, I studied that. I was very clear about filmmaking. I did above average in my studies, and I got good marks in 10th std. So, my father thought I would get into IIT and admitted me in a school called Vana Vani, inside the IIT campus. He though I would study well and write JEE. but I was interested in culturals from 11th and 12th. So, I used to play the drums. I was part of a music group and band. At school, I was a drummer and I had a music master called Daniel Obde. I was very interested in it and I think because of that I am here." As the actress, Suhasini, asked "even flute Navin said he was in your group", “I was in his group mam, He was the leader. He used to be very famous and our entire college life was in flute Navin's mercy", said Vignesh Shivan.
When asked about what was the turning point that made Vignesh Shivan switch to cinema from studies, The director said “I was not interested in studies, I was good. There were many turning points mam. In 12th standard, I lost my father. That could have been a big turning point for not being in this place. Correctly, in 12th std I lost my father, At that time if my mom had said 'go for a regular job, That is how we can manage a family' then I would have done that, At that time I had a conversation with mom and explained If I had studied engineering for four years this will be the fees but If I study electronic media three years only this much will be the fees. I don't know how I will turn out, If I spend that much money but, in this field I can do well as an editor or director and my mom said 'do what you like'".
As Suhasini asked about how his mother would appreciate his Music and writing interest, The director Vignesh Shivan said “She will appriciates me well, My mother doesn’t known that much, She doesn't known many song that I have wrote. She will listen to it in her own time and say 'this song is good' and my younger sister will only tell her it was written me. Even my sister doesn't believe that I write this well, she thinks I have some other person working in it." As the veteran actress said your mother must have seen a spark. The director said "my mom is like that mam, she will leave children independently, Even If I was not successful she would have been the same, I think so. At that time there was pressure, Because as Father was no more, there will be difference, family could go down a step. Normally, the pressure will be on the children if a father is no more, But, my mother did not put the pressure on her children. She said do what you want to do and our family did not move down even one step. Even though, My father was not there we had the same lifestyle, we ate the same food, bought a car. She was the one balancing everything."
