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One hundred days of solitude

Lyricist Snehan and actor Saktivel Vasu weren’t the celebrities they are today before Bigg Boss Tamil. Snehan has, in fact, become so popular that a town rioted when its residents learned that he wasn’t chosen the winner. “I think I am still the winner. I have gained people’s trust and love. That’s more important than the prize money,” he says. He and Saktivel show evidence of great rapport, despite not always getting along on the show. Both open up to Cinema Express on how changed their lives are, post Bigg Boss:

Life after Bigg Boss Tamil
Snehan: A lot of things have changed. I have become more conscious of how I speak, behave and respond. I am also careful about how I project myself to others. I have been getting film offers and commercials as well. I think I can pull off character roles because I believe I am an artiste. I am also working on a film that will likely release in January.
The audience seems to think of me as a tranquil person. But enakkum romba kovam varum. I’ve broken telephones, radios and tape recorders in my office. In fact, they call me ‘Hitler’. I signed up for the show only because I thought it would be great to interact with Kamal Haasan sir.
Sakti: The show was like a personality development programme, and Kamal Haasan sir was the trainer. Every kurumpadam was an exam. I am short-tempered by nature, and it was hard for me to control myself. When I entered the house, I was confident about my journey. But then, I realised I couldn’t handle some problems. The problem is, I am not somebody who pretends. I was there what I am with you now. I’ve learned to deal with the fact that everybody won’t like me. As Kamal Haasan said, Bigg Boss is a social experiment. My wife encouraged me to give it a try. She told me the show would change my life for good. It has happened. Earlier, I was P Vasu’s son. Now, people see me as Saktivel. Some are even calling him Sakti’s appa now.
I have started my production house and am working on a film directed by Haridas director GNR Kumaravelan. I am also in talks with some production houses.

The emotional turmoil
Snehan: After coming out of the house, I’ve realised that sometimes, I get accused of overacting and trying to win sympathy. But let me tell you, I was true to myself till the last day. I am an emotional person. Naan sanda poatadha kaatinaanga, mannippu ketadha kaatala. I’ve always competed with enemies, but in the show, I did that with friends. That was hard. But I knew that the audience liked me; else, I’d have been thrown out earlier.
Sakti: I couldn’t judge who was good, who was bad. Everyone seemed nice. Only after I got eliminated did I get to know more. I thought Oviya’s attitude was bad, but didn’t realise she was in a bad state of mind. I apologised to her for being rude, in fact. But that wasn’t shown in the programme. Also, I didn’t know why audiences liked Oviya. But now, I understand. We can’t change our reactions when we’re inside, right? After all, we don’t know what’s happening outside.

The bitterness
Snehan: Even I didn’t understand Oviya in the beginning. Once I got to know her, things were better. We discussed so much. I could see that she was a good person. Maybe during a couple of instances, I may have been aggressive, but that’s only because I tried to win the game. Some people say I was the reason for Arav’s infamous maruththuva muththam, but I wasn’t. About Sakti, who’s here with me now, I’ve known him for a long time, but still was unhappy about some things he did. I couldn’t convey it immediately because I wasn’t prepared to lose his friendship.
Sakti: Kavignar said something to Vaiyapuri, and that made me feel bad. I felt hurt seeing the kurumpadam because I never expected him to do that to me. When I was inside the house, I couldn’t see where I was going wrong. But once I was out, I could understand. Upon my re-entry, I confronted Snehan. I did that for my own peace of mind.

Thoughts about the show
Snehan: I haven’t watched the episodes because I am trying to come out of it. But someday, I will. However, I know enough to express unhappiness at how the channel has projected us on the show. 1000 vishayangal irundadhu… Aana, 100 vishayangal dhan telecast aachu. How will the people even understand what’s true and what isn’t? Also, let me clarify right now that I didn’t go inside the house to hug women. Did you know that to touch a woman, you need to gain her trust? I hugged them, as a mother would hug her child.
Sakti: I resisted watching the show for two weeks after my elimination. Then, I did. I really like the ‘trigger’ nickname I have been bestowed with. After I got evicted, even Arav and Snehan used that word once. Kamal Haasan sir said that I deserve credit for introducing that word to the audience and housemates. (Laughs)

Favourite contestant
Snehan: Obviously, Ganesh Venkatraman. He played the game with sincerity and discipline.
Sakti: I’ll go with Ganesh Venkatraman too, because he’s a gentleman and was a true sport on the show.

Did Arav deserve it?
SNEHAN: I feel happy for him, and don’t feel bad about not winning the title. But I’ve earned the love of many people. In fact, enga ooru-la naan win pannalanu, mariyal pannaanga! (Laughs)
SAKTI: I knew Arav would win because he handled his issues well. I like his sense of independence. But I think Snehan’s also the winner.

Source: The New Indian Express