Karthik Subbaraj Quotes:
A short film is not a shortened feature film. It has a soul of its own.
Karthik Subbaraj
A theatrical release is not possible for a short film.
Karthik Subbaraj
After doing two feature films, I got an idea for a thriller film and felt this could be made without any dialogues.
Karthik Subbaraj
At any filmmaking class, you learn the power of the visual medium and are always trying to minimise the words.
Karthik Subbaraj
Cinema is a visual medium one has to communicate through visuals, and therefore, dialogues should be less.
Karthik Subbaraj
Even during my short film days, I approached theatres with the idea of playing them during the interval. They thought it was problematic to screen an offbeat short film in between a commercial film.
Karthik Subbaraj
Ever since I made the short film ‘Black And White,’ which had almost no dialogues, the idea of making a silent feature film fascinated me.
Karthik Subbaraj
Filmmaking is never easy as long as you continue learning from the process.
Karthik Subbaraj
Following the success of ‘Pizza,’ I am really glad that C. V. Kumar of Thirukumaran Entertainment has extended his support to a new director, Deepan Chakravarthy, to direct ‘Pizza 2 – The Villa.’ I wish this team to have a great success like ‘Pizza.’
Karthik Subbaraj
For a cinematographer, every frame has to be important.
Karthik Subbaraj
Having spent five years in the technological domain, I see the experiences in the entertainment industry from a technological perspective.
Karthik Subbaraj
I basically like the unpredictability factor. When I watch a film, if it becomes predictable, I lose interest in it.
Karthik Subbaraj
I did a lot of short films before doing feature films.
Karthik Subbaraj
I didn’t foresee troubles in my second film.
Karthik Subbaraj
I grew up idolising Rajinikanth, and I’ve always wanted to see him in a certain way. When I knew I was going to write for Rajini sir, I wanted to show him in the most stylish way and bring back his mannerisms and machismo.
Karthik Subbaraj
I have been trying to get theatre releases for short films ever since I have been making them. I didn’t get any response from theatres initially.
Karthik Subbaraj
I made a lot of short films before making a feature film. Actually, I learnt film-making by making short films.
Karthik Subbaraj
I remember, when I was working in Bengaluru, Rajinikanth’s film ‘Sivaji’ was releasing, and I wanted to watch it the first day, first show. My manager did not want me to take the day off, and I made up excuses stating that there was an issue at home and I had to go.
Karthik Subbaraj
I roughly draw the scene beforehand to be more confident on the set. Instead of talking and explaining certain things, I try to visually communicate the scene to my team with the story board. This is how I work.
Karthik Subbaraj
I start writing with an open mind without thinking about genre and realise, only after writing, that it falls under many genres.
Karthik Subbaraj
I started as a short filmmaker and found that one of the toughest challenges was getting your film to be watched. I would enter it in competitions and release it online, but getting a mainstream theatre-going audience to view the film is difficult.
Karthik Subbaraj
I worked in a software company in Bangalore and made short films during weekends. I learnt the basics during a one-day workshop called Film Camp Sanjay Nambiar.
Karthik Subbaraj
In a silent film, the visuals are of utmost importance.
Karthik Subbaraj
‘Iraivi’ is about women, men, and their priorities. It talks about women’s freedom, how men look at it, and how women use it. It’s neither preachy, nor is it about women’s empowerment.
Karthik Subbaraj
Luckily, ‘Petta’ encompasses all the dimensions of Rajini sir’s performances. His main strengths are his charm, style, and the fun that he represents.
Karthik Subbaraj
Mani Ratnam is my biggest inspiration.
Karthik Subbaraj
‘Mercury’ is about a big company exploiting a small town. There is a place in Tamil Nadu called Kodaikanal. It had a thermometer factory, which would dump the mercury into the river. This affected a lot of people. This incident is the inspiration for this film.
Karthik Subbaraj
‘Mercury’ is one of the most challenging projects I have worked on. From the nuances of the actors’ expressions to the minute technicals of the movie, everything needed to be monitored and looked into. The actors were required to emote purely with their face.
Karthik Subbaraj
My father has been a part of a few short films I made; he played a small but significant role in ‘Jigarthanda.’
Karthik Subbaraj
My parents have let me do whatever I am interested in. Initially, they were apprehensive, but when they realised that filmmaking was my passion and that I was doing a good job with the short films and the recognition in ‘Naalaya Iyakkunar’ TV show, they supported and encouraged me.
Karthik Subbaraj
No, I am not after huge stars. But I have no reservations about working with stars.
Karthik Subbaraj
On an average, any short film will cost at least Rs. 60,000. Apart from film festivals, where is the avenue to get that money back?
Karthik Subbaraj
Once I heard Karunakaran was part of ‘Lingaa,’ I told him to somehow arrange for me to meet Thalaivar. The ‘Jigarthanda’ team met him when he was shooting in Shimoga. It was a memorable meeting, as he opened the door for us, sat, and answered whatever we asked him. And, I got to meet him twice in two days!
Karthik Subbaraj