Well-known comedian and character artiste Karunakaran, celebrated for his impactful roles in numerous Tamil and Telugu blockbusters, has recently revealed that there was a time when he contemplated leaving the film industry.
Karunakaran, who plays a pivotal role in director Praveen K’s investigative thriller ‘Aaryan’, featuring Vishnu Vishal and Shraddha Srinath in lead roles, shared this during a recent press conference.
Struggles and Turning Points
During his interaction with the media, Karunakaran stated, “I didn’t plan to take a break. It happened all by itself. I will tell you the truth because you ask. My first hit in Tamil cinema was ‘Kalakalappu’. After that, I had ‘Pizza’, ‘Soothu Kavvum’, ‘Jigarthanda’, ‘Indru Netru Naalai’, and ‘Yaamirukka Bayamey’, all of which were blockbusters. So, I thought cinema would be like this.”
He further reflected, “It was only after this that I realised that there will be ups and downs in everybody’s careers. Vishnu (Vishnu Vishal) knows well. There have been several occasions when I had decided to quit the film industry. I wanted to leave cinema. That was because the treatment you get when you succeed and the treatment you get when you have a downfall is different. I wanted to leave films but it was Vishnu Vishal who convinced me to stay, saying, ‘Please continue to act. You are a good artiste. It will be like this in cinema. Some films will do well. Some won’t. So, please don’t go.’”
Encouragement from Friends
Karunakaran mentioned that Vishnu Vishal supported him by casting him in two of his upcoming projects, including ‘Gatta Kusthi 2’.
“Now, I have several projects lined up including G D Naidu, in which I play an important role. Looks like I am comfortably placed for the next two to three years and that I am here to stay,” he added.
For those unaware, ‘Aaryan’, which has already received clearance from the Censor Board, is set to release on October 31 this year.
Produced by Vishnu Vishal Studioz in association with Shubhra and Aryan Ramesh, ‘Aaryan’ promises to be a gripping thriller.