Captain Prabhakaran Trailer and Song Release Event
“Thank you, if it means humanity, it means Vijayakanth”; S.A. Chandrasekhar moved at Captain Prabhakaran festival
“Captain Prabhakaran is one of the few films that the All-Indian Cinema has watched closely”; Amma Creations T Siva pride
“R.K. Selvamani is the one who got me into trouble by taking the film Captain Prabhakaran”; New information released by director R.V. Udayakumar
“From now on, Captain’s films will be re-released every year”; Vijaya Prabhakaran’s promise at Captain Prabhakaran festival
“Captain has collected the merits that should be earned for a hundred births for his heirs and left”; R.K. Selvamani moved
“If I am a film lover, then Vijayakanth and Routhar are my parents”; The dazzling RK Selvamani
“I and Sarathkumar will compete in taking the dhandal during the filming of Captain Prabhakaran”; Mansoor Ali Khan’s Galatta speech
“The success that Captain Prabhakaran gave me has given me opportunities for the next ten years”; Ramya Krishnan’s open talk
The film ‘Captain Prabhakaran’, starring revolutionary artist Captain Vijayakanth as his 100th film, was a huge success and a record-breaking box office hit. The film was released on April 14, 1991, Tamil New Year, directed by RK Selvamani.
34 years after the release of the film ‘Captain Prabhakaran’, it has now been digitally converted to a new format with modern 4K technologies and is being re-released on August 22. Karthik Venkatesan is re-releasing the film in about 500 theaters across Tamil Nadu on behalf of Sparrow Cinemas
The trailer and song launch of the film was held yesterday evening at the Kamala Cinema in Chennai to mark the release of the film. The event was attended by the film crew including director R.K. Selvamani, dialogue writer Liaquat Ali Khan, Mansoor Ali Khan, heroine Ramya Krishnan, Vijayakanth’s son Vijaya Prabhakar, directors S.A. Chandrasekhar, R.V. Udayakumar, Vikraman, A.R. Murugadoss, Perarasu, Ezhil, Lingusamy, producers Kalaipuli S. Thanu, Amma Creations T Siva, Dhananjayan, Lalithkumar, actors Ravi Maria, Singampuli, Udaya, Ilavarasu and many others attended and graced the occasion as special guests.
Director S.A. Chandrasekhar spoke,
“I want to vent all my anger towards politics and society. I want to vent it through films. That is how I got Vijayakanth as a powerful hero. I did not look for any other hero. At one time, film college students gave great hits. But producers were afraid that they were spending a lot. Among those who studied in film colleges, RK Selvamani and RV Udayakumar can be mentioned. The film Captain Prabhakaran is still running successfully, just like it did when it was released. Vijayakanth will call all other directors by name. He will only call me Director Sir. This is respect, thank you. Thank you If it means Vijayakanth. If it means humanity, it means Vijayakanth.
The way he treated me in the film Law or Darkness, he treated me with the same respect when Perianna directed his 18th film with him. My son Vijay’s first film was Nalayya Thiru. It cost 70 lakhs and it didn’t go well. But he has become an actor.. I have to develop him somehow and for that I wanted to make him act with a big actor. No big actor agreed then I went to Vijayakanth and asked him if there is a story in which Vijay plays Vijayakanth’s younger brother and if he acts like that, it will help Vijay. He immediately said, take the call seat whenever you want. I have given him a date in all the 18 films I have directed with him. We shot for 17 days with him in Senthurapandi. After finishing Senthurapandi, the business was great. There was a huge profit. But he refused to take even a single paisa of money. At that time, he transferred my vacant land near his house to his name and registered the deed I did it and gave it to him. But even then he was angry with me.
We had a different relationship than friendship. He had a special place in my heart. The best person is the one who leaves his mark when he goes. That is how Vijayakanth still lives on this earth. After the release of this film, producers will definitely come looking for RK Selvamani,” he said.
Director Vikraman said,
I still remember the time when Captain Prabhakaran was released. Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination happened when that film was released. At that time, they said that this film would face failure because Vijayakanth was a supporter of Eelam Tamils. But despite all that, it succeeded. The same grandeur that was seen 35 years ago is still there. When I watch the songs of the film, tears come to my eyes. He makes his mass entry only after 25 minutes in the film Captain Prabhakaran. No one can do another fight scene in Tamil cinema like that police station fight. I am saying this because I have worked with him in two films. I wish his sons Shanmuga Pandian and Vijaya Prabhakaran great success in cinema like him and in politics,” he said.
Amma Creations T. Siva spoke,
“Captain Prabhakaran is one of the few films that all Indian cinema watched closely. It gave Vijayakanth the nickname Captain. Ibrahim Rawathar made such a huge film on a budget that no one could make at that time. RK Selvamani made it like a desert in Tamil with ten percent of the budget of the film Chole. Liaquat Ali Khan’s dialogues stood shoulder to shoulder with RK Selvamani in this film. This is the film that created Mansoor Ali Khan. This is a film in which Captain Ratham Sotta Sotta acted. Captain Prabhakaran is a film that has won the time. I want Captain Prabhakaran to create the record of being the best in the re-release,” he said.
Producer Kalaipuli S Thanu spoke,
“If there is a guarantee for humanity, then it is Vijayakanth. I have worked with him in the films Coolikkaraan, Nallavan, Pudupadagakan. We have read about the Kadayezh Vallalas. We have never seen them. If we are talking about the eighth Vallalas who lived before our eyes, we can say Vijayakanth. The stove in his office on Raja Bhadar Street would keep burning 24 hours a day. At the time of Captain Prabhakaran’s release, all the North Indian producers were competing to sign Selvamani. I am proud to have given the epithet ‘Revolutionary Artist’ to the Captain. He was the one who stood up for any problem in the film industry. He was the one who restored the Nadigar Sangam and paid its debts. I wish that both his sons reach great heights in the world of art and politics,” he said.
Director R.V. Udayakumar said,
“This stage is the same as it was 35 years ago. I wish that cinema should remain like this from now on. Film college students are very much indebted to Vijayakanth. No other actor has created more directors than him. In that sense, he is seen as the god of directors. The foremost among them is director R.K. Selvamani. Selvamani’s hard work is the reason why Vijayakanth used the two opportunities given to him wonderfully and took the name of Rawathar Films to the top. It is a joy to see Ramya Krishnan at this festival.
This film has so many achievements. Thanks to R.K. Selvamani who created these achievements. Musician Ilayaraja gave the song Atama Therotama, which is still immortal today. Before I did a film with the Captain, film college students had made great films like Umai Vizhigal and Captain Prabhakaran. It seems that he thought of me the same way. But I thought that I should make a film as an emotional grandeur. The song Mannavane, which is like the sky, has no equal in its heart to anyone else till date. The Captain is the only man who can help others without asking what they expect. My heartfelt congratulations to my dear brother Karthik and his partner, who bravely made and released this film Captain Prabhakaran. Surely this film will again be a huge success. Following this, I want director Selvamani to quit his Pepsi job and direct new films,” he said.
Actor Ilavarasu spoke,
When I was studying in Madurai, Captain and Rawathar used to hang around as inseparable friends. I have seen them since then. Liaquat Ali Khan was born to write dialogues for Vijayakanth. All his successors should be victorious for the meritorious deeds done by Vijayakanth,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, dialogue writer and director Liaquat Ali Khan said,
“R.K. Selvamani would have reached even greater heights if he had not been involved in the work of these associations. The Captain, who was a temple in the hearts of many, has today become a temple in Coimbatore. The volunteers and the people have become devotees. The song ‘Kuttuthalla Kouttuthan’ sung by MGR is one hundred percent suitable for Vijayakanth. It was Vijayakanth who gave me the opportunity to write dialogues for Selvamani. When Captain Prabhakaran was dubbed in Telugu, they said that the climax court scenes could be removed. But we refused. But after the film was released, they themselves said that the applause of Telugu fans when Vijayakanth spoke was tremendous. When today’s youth see this film, they say why don’t they make films like this now. Selvamani’s fame will be talked about. It is impossible to say which alliance will win in politics but
The Selvamani Liaquat Ali Khan alliance will definitely succeed. Now there is a rise in the DMDK. It is Vijaya Prabhakaran’s duty to turn it into a revolution,” he said.
Actress Ramya Krishnan spoke,
“I started acting in Tamil and started acting in Telugu when there was no big success. It was at that time that I got the opportunity to play Captain Prabhakaran. In that, I was the second heroine. But the success that the film gave me gave me opportunities for the next ten years. Till now, that song Aatma Therottama is the favorite song of the fans. If Vijayakanth were here today, I would be very happy. I hope he will wish from above that this film will be twice as successful no matter when it releases,” he said.
Producer Dhananjayan spoke,
“Two important events are going to happen in Indian cinema in 2025. The film is being re-released on the fiftieth anniversary of the film Sholay, which India itself is celebrating. Similarly, in Tamil cinema, Captain Prabhakaran is being re-released on the 35th anniversary of its release. Fans will be eager to watch this film just for two songs. Captain Prabhakaran is the film that put Selvamani in big trouble. The reason is that this film has taken her to such a high. This is also the case with director Ramesh Sippy. Mansoor Ali Khan is as youthful as ever. Just as Amjad Khan, who played the villain in the film Sholay, is celebrated as the best villain to this day, similarly Mansoor Ali Khan, who made his debut as a villain through Captain Prabhakaran, is also celebrated. There is no doubt that the film will be a huge success and will continue to spread Vijayakanth’s fame for a long time to come,” he said.
Director A.R. Murugadoss said,
“When this film was released in Kallakurichi, I watched it continuously for almost ten days. There are only two songs in this film. That too is not for the hero. I shot the first 20 minutes of the film Thuppakki with Captain Prabhakaran as my inspiration. Usually, a film ends after the villain dies. But in this film, the film ran for ten minutes even after the villain dies. Taking that as an example, I made the film run for a few minutes after the hero dies in the film Ramana. It was a dream to direct a film with the Captain. He also conducted my wedding, which is amazing. Director RK Selvamani has given such a grandeur to Tamil cinema, like an English film of that era. I am proud to be sitting next to him,” he said.
Director Lingusamy spoke,
“I am a Rajini fan. My brother Vijayakanth is a fan. Vijayakanth’s entry was made only after 30 minutes in the film. The police station fight scene in this film was the inspiration for the subway fight scene in my film Run. If there is a script that I am amazed by in the grand action films, it is Captain Prabhakaran. When you watch the film Pushpa, you can see a lot of Captain Prabhakaran’s inspiration in it. Not only in the film, but also in his hard work, honesty, and character, RK Selvamani is magnificent. Director Selvamani had given this film in a way that said, “Before Captain Prabhakaran, after Captain Prabhakaran, this is how important this film is in Vijayakanth’s life.”
Director Perarasu spoke,
“Ramya Krishnan looks younger now than when she was seen in the film when it was released. Maybe I’m getting old? Despite the many films he has acted in, this film is the film that Mansoor Ali Khan will be remembered for. Through this film, he got the captain. He also got Prabhakaran. I have a desire to see Selvamani as a director again. RK Selvamani means personality. In Tamil cinema, many actors give films to new directors during their growing period. But they only give opportunities to directors who have become successful after growing up. Vijayakanth alone introduced a new director in his 150th film. Vijayakanth is the one who thinks that we should create someone rather than our success benefiting us. Any director who directed a film based on him can go and meet him anytime.. There will be no restrictions.. At a time when it was thought that such films could be made in Tamil during this period, Captain and Selvamani came together to give such a film. Following the re-release of this film, Selvamani’s new innings will begin. I wish that Shanmuga Pandian, the artistic successor of the Captain, and Vijaya Prabhakaran, the political successor, should succeed like him,” he said.
Director Ezhil spoke,
“When I saw the trailer of this film, it was like the Pushpa trailer. If this film is being released after 35 years, there is a huge expectation for it. That expectation is the success of this film. Captain Prabhakaran is an important film in many films of the Captain that stand the test of time. Soon R.K. Selvamani will be the director again.
I want to take a picture with you.”
Actor Singam Puli spoke,
“When the shooting of Captain Prabhakaran took place at the Kumbakkarai waterfall in Periyakulam, I ran and watched the shooting of the film from the mountainside. It was the food that the captain put in that made me stay here instead of going to my hometown from Chennai and become a director. Once I was organizing a crowd of fans who came to see Captain. When I was asked who called me, I said Sundar C’s assistant director. He asked if you also took a photo with me.. I asked you sir, I want a picture with you. Then he looked at me in surprise and left. But I fulfilled my wish by having him play a guest role in the film Mayavi,” he said.
Actor Ravi Maria spoke,
“In my 28-year film career, I have spent 20 years with director R.K. Selvamani. If he has made a film of the Hollywood range at the age of 28, it is truly a challenge for today’s directors. RK Selvamani made a huge mark 35 years before the directors we admire today. Captain Vijayakanth was born as a human and became a human god. He is the only captain after revolutionary leader MGR,” he said.
Actor Mansoor Ali Khan said,
“I was introduced in the hundredth film of the revolutionary artist. When I acted in this film, the outside world did not know what the real Veerappan’s face would look like. When I went to Chalakudy for the shooting, Routhar paved a separate path for me to go there. At that time, the actress Saranya was the one who was signed to play the role of Ramya Krishnan. But when she came to this forest area and saw wild animals like elephants and snakes, she withdrew from acting in this film. Director RK Selvamani would keep walking to find locations. During the shooting, Sarathkumar and I would compete in picking up dhandals. They would shoot my scenes without any dialogue from the morning. Only at five in the evening would the dialogue paper arrive from Chennai by plane or car, and after that they would make me talk side by side. The climax scene of this film is unforgettable. On the last day of shooting, my brother Vijaya Prabhakaran was born. Similarly, a sentimental scene like Ramya Krishnan giving birth to a child was shot in the film. In that way, all the days I acted in this film are unforgettable,” he said.
Director R.K. Selvamani spoke,
“When I was thinking of trusting me and giving money to my father and mother, Vijayakanth and Routhar trusted me with one crore rupees and made the film. In the film industry, these two are my parents. His marriage took place during the investigation. At that time, the gift I had brought for him fell down at that meeting. When I tried to pick it up, the captain hugged me and said, ‘Let it go, you are the biggest gift for me.’ That day, Vijayakanth was the first person to speak out for the Tamils of Eelam from Tamil cinema. That’s when we decided to name the film Prabhakaran. I added that to it and said that we could call it Thalapathy Prabhakaran, but when I said that it wouldn’t work, suddenly the title Captain Prabhakaran came up. Vijayakanth immediately agreed to keep it.
In the final scene of the film, when he was acting with a gun in one hand tied to a rope, the rope suddenly snapped. By the grace of God, Vijayakanth did not fall off the nearby rock and fell into the bush from the side and survived. Vijayakanth hid the pain from the injury and said that if he told the stunt master that he would not be able to get the shot right after that, he hid it without telling him. Vijayakanth is the one who hides his pain and works hard to make the film come out well.
Saranya was supposed to act in this film instead of Ramya Krishnan. But he backed out because he had some problems with wearing the costume of the mountain village girl. We were looking for a woman to travel with us for 90 days, whether it was a normal actress or a newcomer, when Ramya Krishnan came along. But even after 35 years of her acting in this film, it is so exciting to see that Atma song. When I was an assistant director, she was acting as the heroine. The first time I clapped was for a scene starring Ramya Krishnan. I invited her to this function through my wife Roja. She came without fail.
Sarathkumar got hit on the neck while acting in this film. The shooting was only for four days. So when I thought about replacing him, Vijayakanth categorically refused. Sarath is acting in this for the second time. He is a rising actor. If he is removed, it will affect his film career. After he comes back, we will start shooting.
He said generously that he could run the show. It was because of some things like this that the film got delayed that it got the honor of being the 100th film.
In the current environment, many people expect a grand story with a heroine like a world beauty, a big cameraman, a make-up man from Hollywood that can touch 100 crores, but Vijayakanth will only believe in the story, as far as Vijayakanth sir is concerned, he does not know how to act in politics. He was the way he was in reality. That is why he was ridiculed by some people. Others have two types of life, inner life and outer life. But for the captain, the inside and the outside are the same. Captain Vijayakanth has left behind the merits that should be earned for a hundred lifetimes for his successors.”
While speaking, Vijaya Prabhakaran said,
Captain Prabhakaran is an evergreen film of Tamil cinema. Even though this is the Captain’s 100th film, since it was released after his passing, we should celebrate it like his first film. Out of the 156 films that the Captain starred in, the films he acted in will be re-released every year for the youth of today. It will also be a lesson for today’s film college students. Many films in which the Captain and Rawathar Vappa collaborated became successful films. When I was a child, he would regularly share with us the incidents that happened every day on the set. Today, all I have heard from those close to him and those who worked with him about their experiences here is what I have heard here. In that way, I felt like I had time traveled at this festival.”
