The film ‘Autograph’, starring, produced and directed by director Cheran, will be released in theaters worldwide on the 14th. The film, which was released in 2004, is being remastered with modern technology.
In this situation, the film crew organized a special event called ‘Autograph Reunion’ to share the changes made in the film with the media and fans. Director Ameer and actor Aari participated as special guests along with the film crew in this reunion event held in Chennai.
At the beginning of the event, director, producer and actor Cheran honored the actors and technicians who worked in the film with a commemorative award. The assistants who worked with Cheran in the film ‘Autograph’ shared their experiences with enthusiasm.
Cheran, actress Sneha, Cheran’s assistants Ramakrishnan, Jagatheesan, Pandiraj, Umapathy, Jagan, lyricist Snehan, composers Bharadwaj, Murali, art directors Vairabalan, J.K, Mani Raj, actor Ganesh Babu, cinematographer Vijay Milton, director Ameer, and actor Aari participated in the event.
Music composer Bharadwaj said, “Even though I have been working in the music industry for thirty years and have composed music for more than a hundred films, the experience of composing music for the film ‘Autograph’ is unforgettable. I think that music should give importance to lyrics and emotions. All the songs featured in this film were composed in that way. The main reason for this is director Cheran. The songs from the film ‘Autograph’ have made it to the hit list of songs released in my music. For this, I would like to thank Cheran again at this moment. After 21 years, when the film ‘Autograph’ was re-released, and I heard my voice in it saying ‘Nnaapagam Varude…’, old memories came back to me. The song ‘Nnaapagam Varude…’ was written by Cheran himself. He listed the first events that took place, compiled them beautifully, and turned them into a song. I express my heartfelt gratitude to all the technicians who worked on the film,” he said.
Director Pandiraj said, “When I joined Cheran as an assistant, he once watched the film ‘Forrest Gump’. He told us that he wanted to write a story like that. After that, a week later, he told us the story of the film ‘Autograph’. I stayed with him in the office together. It was an amazing experience. He would share his anger, affection, regret, sorrow, everything with Jagan and me.
Everyone is new in this film. In order to have a commercial face for the film, talks were held with actress Sneha. As Ramakrishnan mentioned, this story went to actor Vijay. After that, it went to actor Prabhu Deva. After that, talks were held with Aravind Swamy. Talks were also held with actor Srikanth. He never wanted Cheran to act in the film Autograph. It was the story of Autograph that attracted him as an actor. When he said that he was going to act, Simbu and I Devan and I protested. After the film became successful, Cheran and other assistants looked at me with meaning. Our director worked hard and honestly to make the film despite all the shame and humiliation he faced. It was only after I became a director that I understood what the difficulty was. I have learned a lot from him. His influence will be present in all my films. I cannot make a film without his influence. This film will also be celebrated by the younger generation of today,” he said.
Actor Aari said, ”Everyone who spoke here spoke about the friendship, relationship and love between Cheran and them. A letter given by one of his relatives was the introduction between me and him. I met him in his office. He said he would call me when the work on the film begins. When I came to know that he was directing a film called Autograph, I contacted him again.
At that time, I was a gym trainer. So he saw my six-pack body and the appearance of gaining weight when I became a trainer. Then he asked who you are and what you do. I said I am a gym trainer. After that I am acting in a film. Can I change like you showed in the photo? He asked. I said I can change.
As far as I heard, Kamal Haasan was the only one who was physically demanding for a character at that time. After that, actor Vikram showed interest in those things. When Cheran asked with the same interest and commitment, I became his gym trainer because I would get a chance to interact with him even though I did not get a chance to act in this film.
His commitment amazed me. Another thing that attracted me to him was his memory.
Talent. During the shooting, he would take me to Kerala and allocate a room for me and he would also allocate time for exercise. It was during that moment of relaxation that he told me the story of the film. After listening to the story, I said that this film will be a hit because I am also a love failure case.
I got an opportunity to act in the film ‘Aadum Koothu’. It was just two lines of dialogue on the set. I could not speak it properly. After that incident, I decided to take acting training first and went to Koothupattai. After that, the reason why I learned acting and came to this stage today is because of director Cheran.
Today, Mari Selvaraj is celebrated as providing works related to caste eradication. But 28 years ago, through the film ‘Bharathi Kannamma’, it was Cheran who gave a work related to caste eradication based on caste.
Similarly, the director who bravely spoke about the shortcomings of the regime through the film ‘National Anthem’ is Cheran.
Today, the younger generation jokingly refers to love. ‘I have two breakups’. ‘Four breakups’ they say. Autograph is the film that gave hope that love will come again after one love. Among many young people who thought that their life was over with one love, a film like this created the expectation and hope that another love would come. Autograph is the film that told the story of love being a sequel.
If his assistants shared their thoughts about the director freely on stage here, it is also because of Director Cheran’s democratic nature. I sincerely appreciate this.
Watch this film and post your comments on the social networking site regularly. Because we are interested in knowing what kind of impact such films have,” he said.
Speaking, composer Murali said, ”Cheran is very passionate about music. He looks at everything delicately. There is a song in the film ‘Pokkisham’ called ‘Nila Athuvanam…’. In that song, when the heroine runs and stands at a certain place, she makes a wheezing sound. He even meticulously found and corrected a small mistake that was made while adding this special sound to the song.
We watched the movie Autograph four months ago. I said that there was no need for any changes in the music, but he said that some changes should be made for today’s young generation of fans. So we have made some changes. Everyone will know this after the release of the movie. This movie will be a huge success,” he said.
Speaking, Director Ameer said, ”Autograph is a story about a man’s old memories. When talking about that movie after 21 years, a lot has been said about Cheran. I know all of Cheran’s assistants.
When he was shooting for Autograph, I was shooting for Ram in Kodaikanal. At that time, the audio launch of Autograph was held in Chennai. At that time, he spoke with tears in his eyes on stage. At that time, I knew about him but had no close relationship. At that time, I asked him if I could help you financially with one lakh rupees. He refused. After that, after the autograph success ceremony, I met Cheran in his office.
Cheran generally takes good care of women. Because Cheran is used to talking to many women related to him, such as his sister, younger sister, step-daughter, and friend. He does not have many relationships like brother and younger brother. That is why Cheran is used to women a lot. That feeling is always there with Cheran. I realized this after interacting with him.
I do not know where to start and where to end because such a relationship continues between me and Cheran.
Cheran is an accomplished artist in Tamil cinema, an indispensable artist, a people’s artist. A great artist. When I go to Cheran’s office, I feel jealous of the awards behind him. He keeps them stacked up with National Awards, State Awards, Filmfare Awards. After Balachander, I saw a lot of awards with Cheran.
Assistants who worked with Cheran shared their experiences here. But it was Cheran who gave them identity.
I was the one who saw Cheran’s first film in our local cinema. After that, I saw his success. When I and director Bala were staying in a room in Saligramam, Cheran would come there. His perspective is like Chandiyar. But he is soft-hearted.
Even though he and I have many differences of opinion, our friendship and relationship continues. He has a love for him. He forgets everything easily.
He still keeps his mind young. He is constantly making efforts for that.
No one else can make a film like Autograph. If you watch this film
It always reminds someone of their past. This is such a work.
This film was released in a different version as ‘Premam’. Even now, if it is made in a way that suits this Gen Z generation, this film will be a huge success. This film should give Cheran a big financial success. I pray that this generation knows that a great artist named Cheran is alive,” he said.
Actress Sneha said, ” I am happy to meet the artists who worked on Autograph again after all these years. This film is being released again. It will definitely be a success. It was new when I saw the trailer of the film.
I want to ask Cheran just one question. I want to know how many love failures you faced while writing this story. I think there will be a long list for that.
This film taught me a lot. While working on this film, I was stressed and depressed. Cheran was the only person who figured it out.
We were shooting a song scene that will be in the film Autograph. I was depressed then. No one knew that. I used to smile accordingly. I was sitting in a corner then. Then he sat next to me and asked what was wrong with you. I said nothing. I just know that you have some problem then. But he said that it will get better soon and said that he would be friendly. Starting from that day, he has been my best friend for 21 years. If you ask who is my best friend and well-wisher, I would say Marathatti Cheran.
After watching this film, many people asked me whether a man and a woman can be friends. We are proving that. I want this film to be successful for him. He worked hard for that. We know how much he suffered for the release of the film.
If you ask me which is my favorite film that I have acted in, I will definitely answer Autograph. He has taught me how many expressions to express while shooting the song ‘Ovivvoru..’. That experience is enough for me.
This generation has expressed love differently. But the person who said this is what love is, the picture he said it in. Autograph. This will succeed,” he said.
Director Cheran said, “This platform has become a platform for praise and criticism of Cheran. This is how it will be. In all these years of journey, I have met all kinds of people. I have met all the good people. I have faced many bad reasons. I have seen all the problems. We have overcome everything. That is what this film says. You will see many new things in life. So, go through it as you are. This is what life has taught me.
I have had differences of opinion with everyone who spoke on this platform. However, they are sitting on the platform for me. So there is nothing to explain in this.
I have given freedom to my assistants. You must have seen many platforms and festivals. Is there a platform where a director was criticized by his assistants? But I have given it. I will continue to give it. I will continue to talk to them. Because a father knows the nature of his children. The way my father raised me.. I have raised my assistants in the same way.
After 21 years, what have we done to make Autograph reach the young generation of today’s fans? What will this film tell them? I would have made a film like this. If I had made a film for commercial purposes, I would have disappeared someday. I would have given a big success. I would have worked with big heroes in the film Anju. After that, I would have disappeared. But even today, if my film holds someone’s hand and brings them to shore, then that is my success. That is how I have made each of my films.
I have made this Autograph film like this. No matter what failure there is, every human being has the mentality to overcome it. Love is the only tool in this. Don’t get tired anywhere.. This film is saying that. I have felt and sung the song ‘Every Flower..’ many times. Snehan has also sung it many times. Aamir must have sung it many times. Sneha must have sung this song many times. Because failure comes to everyone. When you face it, overcome it and succeed, There will be a joy. This film will give it to everyone who sees it.
I am currently watching this film, beyond this.
We are not going to achieve anything by doing so. We know how the current generation is. If this generation sees this film, they may have a different idea. We can only sow it. We are re-releasing this film because it deserves it.
Look at a person as a person. Don’t think that you need to fix him. Enjoy him as he is. You will be beautiful. That is how I see this world as beautiful.
Aamir’s one point is right. I was born and raised with women. They have made me mature. I can only show love to women. If it doesn’t look like love in the eyes of others, it is not my problem. If the friendship between me and Sneha continues today, it is because of the dignity between us. I am the most important reason why Sneha and Prasanna got married. Prasanna is an important friend to me. He can respect me. Don’t postpone your marriage by citing problems. That will become a problem. Get married first. I told you that you can face what comes later. I only think good things about those around me. If it doesn’t seem good, it’s not my problem. It’s their problem.
When the movie Autograph was first released, there were no crowds in the theaters. The crowds increased only after the reviews of the movie were published in the newspapers. They celebrated the movie. It gave an inspiration to the directors to create good works.
The reviews were once honest and broad-minded. But today, something has gone wrong in it. If we take everything online today, it seems like we have lost humanity.
I have re-edited this movie and reduced it by 15 minutes. I have completely color corrected this movie to suit today’s environment. Although the music is old-fashioned, we have incorporated new music techniques like Dolby Atmos so that it does not tire the fans. I am determined not to disappoint the audience anywhere. I have spent 50 lakh rupees and worked to provide a new experience with this movie,” he said.
