What is your idea of happiness?
When people tell me that I’m a good man as opposed to a good actor or a good director, I feel happy.
What is your greatest fear?
Answering questions about my fears.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I keep revisiting my past in my head. I wish I could stop doing that.
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
We’re four members now. I don’t want to change anything about it.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My attempts at being a better human being. It’s an ongoing process…
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
I have a lot of dreams, most of which I wouldn’t be able to fulfil in this lifetime. So I want to come back as Parthiban and try to achieve the rest of them.
What is your idea of misery?
I thought my film Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam would get a national award. Not getting the recognition I believe I deserve makes me sad. But it’s only momentary.
Where would you like to live?
As I talk to you now, I’m at Marakkanam near Puducherry. I’m surrounded by hundreds of trees with birds fluttering above. I’m in the process of building a munveedu (mud house). I want to be here in the midst of nature.
What is your favourite occupation?
Cinema. All aspects of it.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My thinking. It has always been different even though it seems normal to me.
What is the quality you most like in the opposite sex?
Mariyadhai varanum . I keep telling my daughters that a woman should evoke respect.
What do you most appreciate in your friends?
They look at me as their best friend and don’t treat me like a celebrity.
Who are your favourite authors?
If I have to name one, Sujatha. I continue to read voraciously. Like a bee, I continue my search for honey.
Who is your favourite hero of fiction?
Shankarlal from the books of Tamilvanan. He’s a James Bond-like character who I grew up admiring. I was addicted to him.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My father. He’s great.
What are your favourite names?
Radhakrishnan, my father’s name, Rakhi, Keerti, Abhi, Karuthamma (she was my pet dog).
What is your present state of mind?
Happiness. But I aspire to reach that state where I am beyond happiness.
How would you like to die?
Happily, as though it were a celebration. People should say, ‘He’s lived a full and happy life.’
What is your favourite motto?
Innoru manushan irukkumbodhu yaarum anaadhai illai (No one is an orphan as long as another person lives.) I want to be that person.
The Proust Questionaaire is a weekly feature which derives its name from the French writer Marcel Proust, those personality-revealing responses to these questions went on to popularise this form of celebrity confession. This questionnaire was administered by Vishal Menon.
