Chennai: Actor Sivakarthikeyan has said he is open to playing antagonist roles if they offer scope for experimentation and entertainment, but remains cautious about moving away from the hero image audiences have embraced over the years. The Tamil actor also revealed that he has seven projects at different stages of development, reflecting a busy schedule in the coming months.
Sivakarthikeyan shared these details while attending the 11th anniversary celebration of the Tamil News Anchors Association on Sunday. During the event, he spoke about the offers he has received to play negative characters, his approach to selecting scripts and the challenge of managing multiple film commitments simultaneously.
The actor, known for films such as Amaran, Doctor and Maaveeran, said he values versatility but wants to ensure that his choices continue to entertain audiences.
Sivakarthikeyan explains reluctance to play villains
Asked about his hesitation to accept villainous roles, Sivakarthikeyan said he had received several offers to portray antagonists but remained selective about taking them up.
“The audience has accepted me as a Hero, so I don’t want to break that. As an actor, it is important to take up versatile roles, and if I am offered an opportunity to play the antagonist, that is equally entertaining, like a dual role, I would definitely take that up,” he said.
His comments suggest that he is not opposed to playing negative characters but wants such roles to offer something distinctive to audiences. The actor indicated that a character with an entertaining and challenging dimension could persuade him to step outside his established screen image.
For an actor whose career has largely been built around leading roles in commercial entertainers, a move into antagonistic territory would represent a different kind of performance challenge. However, Sivakarthikeyan’s remarks indicate that the nature of the character and its entertainment value would be important considerations.
He also expressed an interest in experimental scripts while maintaining his focus on commercial cinema. This approach would allow him to explore a wider range of characters without losing sight of the audience appeal that has been central to his career.
Actor reveals seven projects in the pipeline
Sivakarthikeyan also spoke about his demanding shooting schedule and the number of projects he is handling at various stages.
He revealed that he has been shooting for two films simultaneously, while also working on two scripts. In addition, three other projects have been locked for production.
“I have a total of seven stories on my mind,” the actor said, offering a glimpse into his current workload and future plans.
His statement points to a combination of ongoing productions, script development and projects being prepared for the next stages of production. However, the actor did not disclose the full details of all seven projects during the event.
The busy slate means Sivakarthikeyan is balancing immediate filming commitments with the process of evaluating and developing future scripts. His comments also indicate that he is continuing to consider different kinds of stories as he plans his upcoming work.
‘Seyon’ and SK27 among current projects
Among Sivakarthikeyan’s current commitments are Seyon, directed by Sivakumar Murugesan, and his yet-to-be-titled collaboration with filmmaker Ramkumar Balakrishnan, provisionally referred to as SK27.
Ramkumar Balakrishnan previously directed Parking, the Tamil thriller that received attention for its tightly focused narrative and performances.
Sivakarthikeyan confirmed that he is shooting for the two films simultaneously. The actor’s schedule reflects the overlapping production commitments that can arise when several projects are being developed within a short period.
While details about the complete slate remain limited, Seyon and SK27 are among the projects currently occupying his time. His additional scriptwriting and development commitments suggest that more announcements could follow as the projects progress.
The actor has not publicly detailed the genres or character types associated with all the films he mentioned. It therefore remains unclear whether any of the upcoming projects will feature him in a villainous role.
From television presenter to leading Tamil actor
Sivakarthikeyan began his career as a television presenter before establishing himself in Tamil cinema. His transition from television to films was followed by a series of commercially successful projects that helped him build a broad audience.
His filmography includes Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam (2013), Doctor (2021), Maaveeran (2023) and Amaran (2024). These films have showcased him in different settings, ranging from comedy and family entertainment to action and more dramatic performances.
Amaran, in particular, brought him to audiences in a biographical action drama, while Doctor and Maaveeran demonstrated his ability to work across different commercial formats.
Alongside acting, Sivakarthikeyan has also ventured into film production, expanding his involvement in the industry beyond his on-screen work.
His latest comments indicate that script selection remains an important part of his career planning. Although he continues to value the hero image audiences associate with him, he has left the door open to roles that would allow him to experiment with different shades of performance.
With two films currently on his shooting schedule, two scripts in development and three additional projects locked for production, the actor has a packed slate ahead. Whether one of these projects will see him take on an antagonist role remains to be seen.