Simbhu marches on: Simbhu's directorial touches were conspicuous in Manmadhan though the credit went to A J Murugan. As it turned out, Simbhu's astute story and screenplay had a big say in the film's decent run. The actor's confidence reflected in the way he handled a heavier character with panache in Thotti Jaya . To go by the old saying, success not only brings confidence but also a speck of arrogance. When the arrogant ways has a positive effect on the end product of the film, no eyebrows are raised nor any individual is taken to task.

Riding on a crest wave of success, Simbhu has got the official status of directing a film - story and screenplay are his too in Vallavan produced by P L Thenappan.

In an era of Tamil films where more than two heroines are a norm rather than an exception, Simbhu has Nayanthara, Reema Sen and Sandhya as co-stars. Is it an extension of Manmadhan when he had Jyothika and Sindhu Tholani besides the dazzlers like Yana Gupta and Mandira Bedi?

Taking time-off from his shoot, Simbhu said direction is his passion and would like to explore at least once a year. 'When you graduate to a certain level you tend to look at the medium from many perspectives. As a director, am able to imply my thoughts for a convincing final result. An actor has his limitations to traverse beyond the allotted path. The experience has been rewarding and hence the full throttled involvement.'

Getting the important breaks, Nayanthara had a lot of good things to say of Simbhu. 'He is an amazing director keen on improvising. No question of conventional methods from him. He has the story clear in his mind and from there he takes on. Having ideas is one thing and translating into results is another. Simbhu has excelled in both areas.'

In the get-up of a school girl, Reema Sen looked the one next door, during the shoot. 'Fortunate to get roles of different shades with a streak of negativity in this. Working with a thinking director is itself rewarding. As a director, Simbhu puts on his thinking cap. Open to ideas and suggestions, the camaraderie on the sets was pleasing. With some good offers coming, the scenario could not have been better from my angle.'

Expectedly, Simbhu has retained the Manmadhan team of Yuvan Shankar Raja (music) and R D Rajasekhar (cinematography).