Veteran actor-comedian Indrans, who has played everything from comic sidekicks to formidable antagonists across a career spanning over 40 years, has revealed that he initially harboured doubts about playing a police officer in the Suriya-starrer ‘Karuppu’ – and that director RJ Balaji played a pivotal role in helping him overcome his apprehensions .
In a recent interview, Indrans opened up about how the filmmaker convinced him to step into the role of the empathetic cop, ultimately earning him some of the best reviews of his career .
‘Will the audience accept me?’
“When RJ Balaji approached me for the role, I told him, ‘I am a comedian. I have done serious roles, but a police officer? Will the audience accept me?’” Indrans recalled .
The actor explained that he had primarily been typecast in comic or villainous roles over the decades, and the idea of standing in khaki, projecting authority and restraint, felt foreign to him. “The police officer in ‘Karuppu’ is not a loud, angry character. He is calm, empathetic, almost quiet. That is very difficult to pull off,” Indrans said .
‘Just be yourself’
According to Indrans, RJ Balaji did not give him lengthy acting notes or forceful demonstrations. Instead, he relied on patience and reassurance. “He told me, ‘Sir, just be yourself. The uniform is doing half the work. You just need to inhabit the space. The rest will follow.’”
The actor recalled how Balaji would shoot multiple takes without complaint, allowing Indrans to find his rhythm organically. “There was no pressure, no shouting. He treated me like family. That kind of trust makes you want to give your best,” Indrans said.
‘A completely different Indrans’
The result of this collaboration has been widely praised. ‘Karuppu’, which sees Suriya in the role of a folk deity turned lawyer, has become a blockbuster, but Indrans’ performance has been singled out as a major highlight. Critics have called him “a completely different actor” in the film, noting the restraint and dignity he brought to the role of the investigating officer .
Fans on social media have echoed these views, with one user writing: “Indrans sir as the police officer was the emotional anchor of the film. You forget you are watching a comedian. That is called acting.”
Another user posted: “RJ Balaji has done what no director has done before—he has extracted a quiet, powerful performance from Indrans. No overacting, no caricature. Just pure craft.”
A career renaissance for Indrans
At 68, Indrans is experiencing a remarkable second wind in his career. Known for decades as a comic relief actor, he has increasingly been cast in dramatic roles in recent years, with critically acclaimed performances in ‘Home’ (2021), ‘Vikram’ (2022), and ‘Kaapa’ (2022). ‘Karuppu’ appears to have elevated him to yet another level .
Indrans revealed that following the success of ‘Karuppu’, he has received offers for more police roles. “I am getting scripts where I play officers. It is overwhelming. At this age, I am getting to reinvent myself. I owe a lot of that to directors like RJ Balaji who take risks on actors like me.”
RJ Balaji’s response
When asked about Indrans’ comments, Balaji said: “Indrans sir is one of the most underutilised actors in our industry. He has depth, timing, and presence. My job was just to get out of his way. He did the rest. The credit is entirely his.”
Balaji added that casting Indrans was an easy decision. “I wrote the character with him in mind. I could not imagine anyone else in that role. And he proved me right a hundred times over.”
The ‘Karuppu’ phenomenon
‘Karuppu’, directed by RJ Balaji and starring Suriya and Trisha Krishnan, has emerged as one of the biggest hits of the year, crossing ₹175 crore worldwide . The film’s success has been attributed not only to its star power but also to its strong supporting cast, of which Indrans is a key part .
As Indrans himself put it: “After ‘Karuppu’, people are seeing me with new eyes. And that is the greatest compliment an ageing actor can receive.”
