Sivabalan Muthukumar’s approach is characterized by a relentless quest for correctness and perfection, not just in how he speaks, but in how he crafts his stories and films. When asked the daunting question of which films best describe his love for cinema, the emerging director finds it nearly impossible to narrow it down to just a few. His list naturally extends far beyond a handful of classics; from the uplifting tale of Life Is Beautiful and the intense drama of Gnana Oli to the romantic charm of Roman Holiday and the sociocultural observations in Bharatha Vilas. Yet, even as he shares these titles, it’s clear he continues the internal search for the perfect answer. This same drive for precision and authenticity is evident as he discusses his forthcoming film ‘Bloody Beggar,’ which is set to grace cinemas this Deepavali, with the rising star Kavin taking the lead role. Produced by the acclaimed Nelson Dilipkumar, who once mentored Sivabalan for over a decade, the film marks a significant milestone in Sivabalan’s career.
In a recent conversation, Sivabalan Muthukumar opens up about his journey and dedication to creating something that will truly resonate with audiences. Reflecting on his start in the industry, Sivabalan recounts how joining Nelson was a serendipitous turn. “I wanted to create a film and assumed I knew everything, but a cinematographer I collaborated with advised me to work under Nelson as an assistant director,” he reveals. This opportunity was a turning point, as Nelson’s unique perspective on commercial cinema opened Sivabalan’s eyes. Even during those early days, Nelson’s ability to envision unconventional ideas that spoke to audiences was clear. Watching Nelson’s prolonged wait for success was disheartening, making the breakthrough of Kolamaavu Kokila in 2017 a pivotal moment of encouragement for Sivabalan and others around them.
Discussing the difficulties he faced in getting his script off the ground, Sivabalan reflects on the numerous rejections he encountered. “I pitched this story multiple times, only to be turned down. Each ‘no’ forced me to dissect how it could be improved, teaching me to view my work objectively,” he explains. Driven by the belief that his story would bring a novel experience to viewers, Sivabalan continued refining the script, determined to see it through to completion.
In Tamil cinema, the boundaries of commercial films have expanded, thanks to the inventive visions of filmmakers like Nalan Kumarasamy, Pa Ranjith, and Karthik Subbaraj, who have helped redefine the genre. With Bloody Beggar, Sivabalan hopes to contribute to this landscape by crafting a film that defies easy classification.
. His exploration of a commercial film composition appears more like a bold experiment in storytelling rather than a formulaic project, embodying his ambition to offer viewers something distinctively engaging.
Nelson’s influence on Sivabalan extends beyond mentorship. As a professional, Nelson values the integrity of a film over friendships and is keen on maintaining his industry reputation. When Sivabalan narrated his script with an expectation of merely gaining Nelson’s feedback and potentially a producer’s contact, he was pleasantly surprised. Nelson not only understood the cinematic potential of the story but also decided to produce it himself, ensuring that the film would benefit from a nuanced production team. “Once we settled on the casting and shooting dates, he gave me the creative liberty to execute my vision,” Sivabalan states.
Crafting a compelling narrative around an atypical protagonist was another challenge Sivabalan tackled with ingenuity. “I often crafted stories from diverse points of view, but a single protagonist is essential for larger projects,” he explains. Recognizing the financial and structural demands of such a project, Sivabalan decided to center the story on an unusual hero — a beggar whose cunning elevates him to unforeseen prominence. This decision came from a deeper consideration of societal tendencies and intrinsic human suspicion, often cast upon those in genuine need.
Sivabalan was intent on avoiding conventional casting choices, seeking instead fresh, unexplored performances. In Kavin, he found an actor who could bring a silent film’s expressive charm to life, encompassing the cartoonish physicality essential to the character. Initially apprehensive, given personal acquaintanceship with Kavin, Sivabalan ultimately trusted his instinct, convinced that Kavin’s portrayal would honor the film’s unique vision.
As the release of ‘Bloody Beggar’ approaches, Sivabalan’s sentiments are clear: his aspirations in filmmaking hinge on both authenticity and reception. “The audience’s reception of Bloody Beggar will guide my understanding of what constitutes correct filmmaking,” he says. For him, making a ‘correct’ film involves translating genuine effort and vision onto the screen as intended, even when adjustments are necessary. This pursuit reflects his commitment to talented, sincere filmmaking.
Audiences are set to experience ‘Bloody Beggar’ in theatres from October 31, a culmination of Sivabalan’s creative journey thus far, embodying his dedication to crafting sincere and impactful cinema.
