Interview with Udaya Soundari: Balancing Writing and Acting in Tamil Thriller 'Karuvanam'

Udaya Soundari is making waves in the entertainment industry with her dual role in Mediacorp’s latest Tamil thriller, “Karuvanam.” Not only is she starring in the series, but she is also contributing as a writer, showcasing her multifaceted talent.

Here’s is an exclusive interview with Udaya. She opens up about her experience working in the series to PanAsiaBiz.

As both the head writer and an actress, how did you balance your dual roles on Karuvanam?

It was definitely tougher than I imagined. I had to make a conscious effort to forget that I’d be playing the role while writing the dialogues and scenes. Kumaran, my director, was very thorough and clear about what he wanted from each role, which helped immensely. When production started, the real challenge was detaching from my role as a writer and focusing solely on being an actor on set. I had to unlearn information that the character wouldn’t know. Ultimately, it was a lot more fun and exciting than I make it sound.

Shalini’s character is deeply intertwined with heavy themes. How did you prepare for such an emotionally charged role?

There was a lot involved—sketching, character modeling, researching trance behaviours from a cultural perspective, which in our case was Indonesian, and of course, plenty of imagination and prayers, haha!

The narrative of Karuvanam merges supernatural elements with cultural storytelling. What inspired you to create this unique blend, and how did you ensure it remained authentic and relatable?

Personally, I’ve always loved folklore and old magic. Stories about them have always fascinated me. So, when Kumaran decided to explore these themes for the series, I was thrilled to work on it. Naturally, a lot of research was involved, and I read extensively about Javanese culture, finding many similarities with Indian culture, folklore, and practices. Sharing these insights with the story team and brainstorming together was one of my favorite processes. Ensuring we didn’t target any particular belief or faith, while still telling our story, required a lot of careful and deliberate decision-making.

What challenges did you face while writing a story with complex characters and weaving in mythology? How did you ensure that their journey resonates with the audience?

Several challenges surely. But as with any creative process, it was very collaborative. The story discussions with Kumaran and the rest of the story team defined each character’s profile. It was months of writing and re-writing and cancelling it and staring into blank spaces and reworking till worked.

Are there any specific cultural or personal influences that shaped the storyline?

The Javanese culture, along with everything else I’ve experienced, heard, researched, read, seen, lived, and imagined. And mainly, it was Kumaran who shaped the storyline.

The show features strong themes of redemption and family. What message do you hope audiences take away from Karuvanam?

Maybe… don’t take random artifacts from odd-looking strangers? Haha! But honestly, more than a message to take away, as long as the audience is entertained, captivated, and engaged, that’s a win for me. I’ve also heard that many families and friends gathered to watch the series weekly or binge-watched it together. That means so much to me. It’s truly a blessing to be part of something that brings people together.”

Having worked in Tamil entertainment for years, how does Karuvanam differ from other dramas you’ve been a part of, both as a writer and actress?

A limited series in the horror genre is a first for me, so all the excitement and fear that come with it definitely set it apart in terms of acting and writing. But what I find truly wonderful about this experience is that every single element and person involved in the show was willing to give their all. That’s something that doesn’t happen often.

What was your most memorable moment on set during the production of Karuvanam?

Oh dear! This is a whole other conversation! I don’t think this page is long enough to cover it all, haha! From start to finish, everything will be etched in my mind for a long time to come.

Balancing writing and acting in such a complex series is no small feat, but Udaya Soundari has excelled in both areas. Her involvement in the creative process ensures that the narrative is compelling and authentic, while her performance on screen captivates the audience.