Ashok, who was seen in Kozhi Koovudhu and Ula, is venturing into production with a short film titled Viol. He is upbeat about his maiden production as it aims to create awareness in the society. Talking to DC, the actor says, “Kumaran, the assistant director in Kozhi Koovudhu approached me with the script of Viol and asked me if I would want to act in his short film. I was then working in many feature films and it was considered to be a step down if a feature film actor did short films. But I have huge respect for the medium and decided to fund Viol via my home banner, Freak-a-thon Films. In the film, I play the brother of the child who gets abused. With no vested interests, I want to bring about a change in the society with Viol — a film centered on child abuse.”
“We had shot the film a year back, but the death of Hasini ( a child who was brutally murdered) had an uncanny resemblance to our story,” he says, continuing, “At a time when men are looked upon as rapists and sexual predators, I thought, we men need to take a stand and fight for the rights of women and children. Viol is like a match-stick and before the flame diminishes, I want to light children’s lives,” he says.
The actor, who is currently acting in Atharvaa-starrer Othaikku Otha, stresses on the fact that laws need to be stringent and punishment should be served immediately. “If the predator is not punished immediately, his guilt is gone and he is easily forgotten. But, the child’s family lives through hell for the rest of their lives. Punishment should be so severe that a person should be scared before committing such crimes,” he elaborates.
Editor Dani Charles, who has worked on Viol, says, “Kumaran and I have earlier collaborated for other projects. We have received three awards for Viol and Ashok encouraged the entire team.” The film will soon be screened in Chennai.
