Parthiban further adds that many experimental films are made today because commercial heroes are now ready to take that risk. He points out, “Earlier, there used to be a lot of hesitance to make such films, especially because heroes were not ready to take up such roles. But times have changed. Take Jai Bhim (2021), for instance. Suriya choosing to do such a film is a healthy sign in Tamil cinema.”
On the acting front, Parthiban essayed the role of Chinna Pazhuvettayar in Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan I. Crediting Kalki Krishnamurthy’s writing (the author of the five-part novel), he says there is no better time to be writers in the Tamil cinema industry. “When you look at Ponniyin Selvan’s success, even though it was Mani sir’s film and the promotions were massive with Rajini sir’s and Kamal sir’s speech, the opportunity to witness Kalki’s writing on the screen was the first thing that drove people to theatres. There is respect and regard for writers. The fact that a writer’s writing of nearly 70 years ago is being discussed today is the victory of Ponniyin Selvan,” Parthiban notes.
