Shaam’s ‘Astram’ to be released on March 7th.
“Astram has a unique crime investigation thriller storyline”; Actor Shaam is confident.
“Is ‘Astram’ the Brahmastram I got?”; Actor Shaam.
“I am not surprised by Sivakarthiyan’s height”; Actor Shaam.
“Debuting as Shaam’s pair in ‘Astram’ is a blessing for me; Actress Nira is proud.
‘Astram’ producer vows to develop ten new directors.
‘Astram’ is a crime investigation thriller produced by Thana Shanmugamani under Best Movies. The film, which stars Shaam in the lead role, is directed by debutant director Arvind Rajagopal. Model Nira plays the female lead, while Nizhalgal Ravi, Jeeva Ravi, Arul T. Shankar and debutant Ranjith play important roles.
The film will be released all over Tamil Nadu on March 7. Following this, the ‘Astram’ team met the press and shared interesting information about the film.
Speaking to Nayagan Sham,
“Arvind Rajagopal, whom I met through Facebook, contacted me and said, ‘I am going to direct a film and it would be great if you acted in it.’ After that, both Arvind and the writer Jagan met me in person. The story they told was very interesting. We have enjoyed watching many thriller films so far. The fact that this film presents a unique crime investigation story in a thriller format makes it different from other films. Its screenplay was also interesting.
Although director Aravind Diraksan was new to the film industry, he had years of experience in the film industry and had acted in a few films. His speech was also confident. The producer of this film is from Erode. He has worked hard and made progress. The person who asked me to act in this film said that since the shooting of this film will be done in Kodaikanal for 30 days in one go, it would be good if he gave me the dates in total.
I even said that since I am a new director, we can split the shooting into 15 days. But I have faith in the director. Not only that, he confidently said that he is making the film with only my own money so that the film does not get stalled due to any kind of problem. What he said was a bit shocking and surprising to me at the same time. There are very few people in the film industry who make films with their own money. That is why this film has been completed beautifully without any hitches as planned and is now ready for release.
Director Aravind, who quit his job in a corporate company and was interested in cinema, realized that he was making this film out of his passion for cinema and all his friends who worked with him as assistant directors gave him a lot of support. I am only now meeting such a friendship. Aravind can be said to be very lucky in that way. Similarly, Aravind handled everything beautifully from the first day of shooting like an experienced director.
The film Varisu was a comeback film for me. Since it is the film that will be released after that, this film ‘Astram’ is a very important film for me. Although Jagan, who has written the story of this film, may seem young, he has a lot of knowledge about cinema. He has written only what the film asks for, beautifully. There is a wonderful message in this film. Everyone who watches the film will agree with it wholeheartedly. Ranjith, who has acted in this film, is making his debut in this film. He has attended a workshop for almost 20 days and has acted beautifully without any hesitation or confusion during the shooting. Actor Jeeva Ravi has also portrayed the character of James in this film so beautifully.
Heroine Nira has experience in modeling and acting in commercials. When I saw her in a music album called ‘Nee Poom’, I told Aravind that she would be perfect for our film. Nira has also given a great contribution in the film. After this film, she will become a busy heroine. Everyone who worked on the film had a lot of positive thoughts. I could feel it every moment I acted in the film.
Cinematographer Kalyan has done a great job with the cinematography,” he said.
Director Arvind Rajagopal said,
“After working in a corporate company, directing a few short films and acting in a few films, sitting here as a director in this ten-year journey is like a dream. At the same time, knowing that I only have experience in short films, producer Dhana Shanmugamani, who is keen on creating new directors, believed in me and agreed to produce the film after hearing this story. After six months of trying to tell the story of this film to a few heroes, he saw a message I sent on social media, believed in me, called me and asked me to act in the film.
Actor Sham has played a huge role in taking the film to the next level by expressing his religion. The film’s heroine Nira, actors Nizhalgal Ravi, Jeeva Ravi, and Araul D Shankar have put their trust in us in this film without any expectations and have given their best contribution. Cinematographer Kalyan has given his best contribution. Music composer Sundaramurthy has handled the background music in an innovative way. Also, editor Bhoopathi has done magic in editing.” He said.
Speaking to the heroine Nira,
“It is a matter of joy and pride for me to be the heroine of the film Astram. Like everyone else, I too have been trying to act in cinema out of passion for acting. But at one point, I changed my mind a little and decided that instead of going in search of opportunities, we should let opportunities come to us. That is how the music album ‘Nee Poom’ was born. I am a girl born in Dindigul and raised in Chennai. In that case, there were many difficulties when creating such an album in America and introducing it there.
But as if good things happen to us unexpectedly, Arya, Aishwarya Rajesh, Revathi, Khushboo, etc. released the song on their digital platforms. At that event, Sham sir came in person to release the album and asked me a lot of information about the way the album was made. After that, about a week later, I received an invitation from the director to act in this film. When I met him and Jagan in person, everything from the way they welcomed me to the way they treated me was a good approach.
Also, I really liked hearing this story. At the same time, I am someone who firmly believes that if we are a part of a winning film, it is as if we have also won. When we went to the shooting site with a hesitation about what the facilities and accommodation would be like for us, the producer Tana Shanmugamani had created an environment with a family atmosphere there. I never felt lonely during the days I was shooting there. I never felt insecure. That is what every actress needs.
Actor Sham sir is the one who carries the story on his shoulders in the film. We have been by his side all along. In particular, Ranjith, who is making his debut in this film, is a character who can travel with him all the way, but he prepared himself to act so naturally that he did not know that he was a newcomer. He was especially open-minded and ready to learn anything.
Sham sir, who has acted with great actresses like Jyothika, Trisha, Simran in his 20-year film career, sees it as a great blessing that I am debuting in his film. I see that mind as God, who not only introduced the music album but also generously agreed to act in his film. He has done this by breaking the stereotype of being a small screen actress. Everyone who acted in this film, including Nizhalgal Ravi and Jeeva Ravi, has been by my side. I would say that this film Astram is an Astra that I got in my life. I see this as a blessing,” he said.
Debutant actor Ranjith said,
“First of all, I would like to thank my father for giving me the opportunity to start Best Movies Production Company. He started this company with the idea of introducing 10 aspiring directors. He is sure that he will make all ten films as life-giving films for debutant directors. It would be better if you watch this film and get to know more about director Arvind Rajagopal than what I am saying now. Actor Sham encouraged me from the first day of shooting. If I buy clothes from big cloth stores and buy some things from small shops on the platform outside, it will be a great help for them. Similarly, while we welcome big films, we should also welcome and support small films. We invite you to this like a wedding ceremony, come and sit at the table, eat and tell us what you think about the taste,” he said.
Producer Tana Shanmugamani said,
“Erodu is my hometown. Watching movies has been my hobby since childhood. Whether it is difficult or happy, I always watch movies. I watch failed movies more than watching big movies after knowing the details. A person lives for it, struggles for it. I watch that movie only to see what mistake he has made. It seems that such directors and assistant directors do not get a lot of opportunities here. They are betting money on only 10 running horses. But God has given me the necessary facilities. I have reached this age thinking that I should achieve something.
I chose the cinema industry in ,
My son Ranjith studied law.. But he wanted to act out of passion for cinema. At the same time, he firmly said that he did not want to give a buildup to a hero range, but wanted to act in a good character and then let time decide. When the director of this film told me that he was coming to tell the story, I was very tired from the journey. But after listening to the story he told for two hours, all my tiredness went away. In the very next meeting, I confirmed that he was the director of the film.
Let the director of this film be Aravind, let the writer be Jagan.. Let the direction team that worked on this work. A team that can work for success.. Whoever gives a film to them, they will definitely work for success. They will not let them fail. I say that for sure. A team that can ensure that the producer does not suffer in any way.
As some people scare us, Sham sir did not give us a single problem as a hero. He was there for me in every way. Especially when they were new, he taught them and embraced them without abandoning them,” he said.
Responding to a reporter’s question, actor Sham said,
“Will the film Astram become a Brahmastra in your film career?”
“I don’t know if this film will become a Brahmastra for me. I only have the hope that I have acted in a good story with a good director. After the film Varisu, I want to choose only good stories and act. Currently, I am acting in films by Durai Senthilkumar and Vijay Adhiraj. Despite the various experiences I have had, if I choose a new director again, my faith in director Aravind and the story will not abandon me,” he said.
Responding to a question about the “experience of the film Astram and the chances of its success,” he said,
“Since the shooting of this film was done in one phase, I was able to focus only on this one and not go to any other films. As others have said, I could feel that the responsibility of carrying this film on my shoulders was on my shoulders. I got a good introduction to cinema through 12-B. I did not have to face any tough struggle. At the same time, Sivakarthikeyan fought a lot to enter the cinema, participated in the small screen, then came to the cinema and gradually progressed and now has this place. Everyone has something called time.
I was a judge in a show where Sivakarthikeyan participated. At that time, I told Sivakarthikeyan many times.. You have good talent.. If you get a good opportunity, you will go to a big place.. I told you that you have the talent to impress children in many other houses, not just in my house.. Today, his height and success may be surprising to others. But it was something I guessed at that time. Even if Sivakarthikeyan sees it now, he will say, “You told me that then, sir.”
Sundaramoorthy, who composed the music for the films Aira, Ettu Thottakkal and Bommai Nayaki, is composing the music for this film. Kalyan, who worked as a cinematographer in the upcoming films Ranger and Jackson Durai 2, will handle the cinematography for this film. Bhupathi, who worked as an assistant editor in the films Soorarai Pottru, will make his debut as an editor with this film. Rajavel will look after the art direction, while Mukesh will be the fight coach.
