Press meet of the film ‘Agathiya’ jointly produced by Wales Film International and Vem India
Co-produced by Dr. Isari K Ganesh on behalf of Wales Film International and Anish Arjun Dev on behalf of Vem India, and starring Jeeva, Arjun, Raashi Khanna in the lead roles, directed by Pa. Vijay, the press meet of the film ‘Agathiya’, which will be released on the 28th, was held in Chennai.
Directed by lyricist – actor – director Pa. Vijay, ‘Agathiya’ features Jeeva, Arjun, Raashi Khanna, Radharavi, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley, Edward, Medilda and many others in the lead roles. Deepak Kumar Pathi has handled the cinematography for this film, while Yuvan Shankar Raja has composed the music. Shaan Lokesh has handled the editing work, while Shanmugam has handled the art direction. The film ‘Agathiya’, which is being prepared as a commercial entertainer in the fantasy horror thriller genre, will be released in more than 800 theaters in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi from February 28. Producer Isari K Ganesh, director Pa. Vijay, actor Jiiva, actress Raashi Khanna and cinematographer Deepak Kumar Pathi participated in the press conference held in Chennai.
Speaking at the event, actress Raashi Khanna said, “I have already acted in horror films like ‘Aranmanai 3’ and ‘Aranmanai 4’. But this film has a new element along with horror. I thank director Pa. Vijay for that. Everyone knows Pa. Vijay as a lyricist. But after the release of this film, he will also be successful as a director. The new element in the film is in the climax. It has been created along with new technology. I am happy to have worked on this film.
Producer Ganesh sir has given his full support and dedication for the quality of this film. This film will be a success for him too. I would like to thank him at this time.
Working with Jeeva is a happy experience. I want to continue acting in films with him.
Thank you to the Tamil fans and the people who have loved me. I am giving importance to continuing acting in Tamil films.
This film will definitely appeal to fans from all walks of life. I request everyone to come to the theater and support me,” he said.
Director, actor and lyricist P. Vijay said, “Agathiya- is a prestigious film of Wales Film International. It is jointly produced by Vem India.
This is a moment of joy and excitement. There was a huge search from the time I started writing the story of this film. First of all, how to tell this story in a popular way. I realized that if I want to tell it with a mass audience, I need a strong team of technical artists. So when I started writing the story, I started writing that it should not be a typical horror film, but a horror fantasy film that is a little different from it. Because I wanted the content I was telling to be something that everyone would enjoy. This created a situation in the story field where a large part of the story had to be shown as a period film.
After writing the screenplay, if we want to make it into a film, we need producers who can afford huge expenses. Only producers who understand the content being told and produce without worrying about the business of the most famous production company-star actors can make it. Cinematographer Deepak Kumar and I started looking for such a producer.
It was at this moment that I got in touch with actor Jeeva. I had already acted with him in a small role in the film ‘Kalathil Chandimom’. Because of that friendship, I narrated the story of this film to him. Jeeva also hesitated, saying, ‘Is it a horror film.. no way..!’ But I said, ‘This is not a horror film. Horror fantasy film. There is something good in this film. It should reach the people. It is also a horror adventure film.’ I said. After that, he also said that he is looking for a producer.
Then, there is a producer who believes in this story and produces it, and the producer Isari Ganesh took me to his house and said, ‘Come and meet him.’ We met him at his house. After listening to the whole story, he agreed to produce it. After that, he coordinated all the work. Everything we asked, wanted to ask, hesitated to ask, and wondered whether to ask all this, he did it all himself. Pan Indian star actress Raashi Khanna was cast in this film. After that, we said that Arjun would be suitable to play another strong role. He joined the film. After that, I said that if some Hollywood star actors play the role, the story will be more credible. Hollywood actress Medilda and Edward Sona, who played the role of ‘RRR’, were also cast. Actor Blake also joined. After that, a huge star cast like Yogi Babu, VTV Ganesh, Reddy Kingsley, Radharavi worked in the film. There was a situation where many stages had to be set up for the story of this film. Everything had to be created at a huge cost. He also agreed to that.
The directors working in Dr. Ishari Ganesh’s production company will get a lot of creative freedom. If the directors ask for a peacock for a scene.. the producer will bring a peacock. This is his characteristic. This is his boundless love, boundless love for cinema. I have been amazed by this many times.
We completed the shooting in 65 days. After completing the editing work, there was a situation where VFX work had to be done for 90 minutes. For this, the work was carried out in full swing for a year with the joint cooperation of various companies and technicians. We completed those works recently. I hope the climax scene will be a pleasant surprise for the fans. We gave the work for that scene to a leading company that has done VFX work for Hollywood films including ‘Doctor Stranger’. They have created a grand fight scene with animated characters in this final scene. I believe that scene will add strength to the film.
My guru K Bhagyaraj used to say, ‘If the screenplay written by a director is completely sculpted in visual form, and if the film satisfies the director, then that is a good work.’ I felt that satisfaction when I watched the first copy of this film. The reason for this is producer Isari Ganesh. I cannot thank him enough for the number of stars in the sky.
Actor Arjun is not only an actor but also a great director. It is a challenging task to write songs for a film directed by him. Directing with him is even more challenging. When he comes to the shooting site, he has the complete details of the scenes to be shot that day. He will have healthy questions related to the scenes related to the film. If he answers those questions, he will give his full contribution. He will ask such questions only when the first day of shooting comes. If we have answered them, then his cooperation for the entire shooting will be excellent. Arjun has played a strong role in the story field that is at the root of the story in this film. I thank him at this moment.
Similarly, this film also had a talented team of technical artists. Cinematographer Deepak Kumar, editor Shaan Lokesh, art director Shanmugam, stunt director Ganesh, costume designer Sai, Pallavi, Tina Rosario and many others worked alongside me.
Along with them, Yuvan Shankar Raja has also composed excellent background music for me. His special theme music has been selected for this film. This too will attract the fans a lot.
‘Agathiya’ is a popular film that will relax the mind for two and a half hours and is prepared to be enjoyed with the family. We have combined beautiful Tamil dialogues – sweet songs – horror elements that are currently enjoyed by all sections of people – along with the new element of fantasy. Therefore, I strongly believe that all sections of fans will like it.
I believe that every work of the creator should benefit the people in some way. This is also the grammar of creation. ‘Agathiya’ has been created in such an effort. Carrying a beautiful concept, it will be released in theaters on the 28th.
It has been 27 years since I entered the film industry as a lyricist, became an actor, director and producer. In all these years, I have learned one thing. Success in cinema is a collective effort. Success in cinema is not possible for individuals. “The success of an artist lies in the collaborative effort,” he said.
Actor Jeeva said, “When director Pa Vijay told me the story of this film, I told him that I had acted in a horror film called ‘Sangili Pungili Kootu Tira’.” After listening to the entire story, horror was just a tool used to tell the story. Only in India do films like this get made in mixed genres. In foreign countries, horror films and romantic films are all based on genre. Pa. Vijay has made ‘Agathiya’ in a mixed genre so that Indian fans can enjoy it. There is also a good message in this film. We thought it would be good if this thing reached the people. For that, we made a mixture of horror – thriller – comedy – action – animation – fantasy – to appeal to all sections of the audience.
This film is made with the idea of reaching out to children in a way that is appealing. This is the first time that children will enjoy such international-standard graphics and animated characters in Tamil.
The climax of the film will be important. We have only recently seen the climax scenes after waiting for a year. We were really amazed. Director P. Vijay has worked hard. I sincerely appreciate his perseverance.
If we have to make a film on such a huge budget, we will immediately meet Isari Ganesh, the producer of Wales Film International. In that way, we met him at his house and told him the story of this film. He agreed to produce it immediately after listening to the story in full. We showed him the scenes we had shot for this film at that very moment.
He also liked our approach. He has really spent a lot of money to make the film. He gave the director full freedom during the making of the film without any compromise. I would like to thank him for this.
Actor Arjun has played an important role in this film. He is the seed of this film. The story of the film will move based on him. We will be in the present day and he will be in the 1940s. The story will travel through the scary house he created.
Actor Raashi Khanna and I have been friends for two years. He has promised to give me a chance in Hindi films.
I would like to thank all the technicians who worked on this film, including cinematographer Deepak Kumar Pathi.
This film is being made in a way that will reach all sections of the audience,” he said.
Producer Dr. Isari K Ganesh said, “Two years ago, actor Jeeva invited director P. Vijay and cinematographer Deepak Kumar to our house. They told me the story of the film. I liked it. At that time, the story was not titled. The hero in the film is named Agathisyan. That is why we named the film ‘Agathisiya’.
The shooting of the film started. It was going on continuously. After that, they said that the shooting was completed. After that, I asked the director when we could watch the film. He said that we could watch it as soon as the graphics work was completed. The CG in this film is only one and a half hours. The film crew worked together with 14 technical companies to do this work. All the work was completed only two months ago. After that, we watched the film. I was completely satisfied after watching it. I was happy. Our company has produced 25 films so far. Out of them, this film is the one that has turned out to be magnificent. That is why this film is special for our company. After watching the film, you will all be amazed by such a creation from Pa Vijay. I thank director Pa Vijay for this.
This film will be released grandly on the 28th in more than 780 theaters in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, North India in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi languages. It will be released in PVR and Cinepolis theaters. Since the film ‘Agathiya’ is being prepared grandly, it will be released all over India.
In my film production experience, I have met and talked to the director and cinematographer of this film the most times. They will share with me everything that happens during the making of the film.
This film has about 25 star actors and actresses. Also, this film has been made in a way that will appeal to fans from all walks of life.
After this film, an official announcement will be made about the films under our production. It will also include an announcement about the second part of the successful films.
The Hindi language rights of all my films will be bought by my dear friend and owner of Vem India. Since this film will be a hit in Hindi as well, when we were negotiating to buy the Hindi version rights of this film, he saw the film and expressed his interest in becoming a co-producer. With his joining, this film has become even bigger. I would like to thank him at this juncture.”
