Produced by SS Lalit Kumar under the banner of Seven Screen Studio, and starring actor Vikram Prabhu, “Sirai” is a film based on a true story in a unique setting, directed by debutant director Suresh Rajakumari.
As the film is set to release worldwide in theaters on December 25th as a Christmas celebration, its pre-release event was held today in a grand manner, with the film crew and many leading personalities from the Tamil film industry in attendance, along with members of the press and media.
With the release of “Sirai” fast approaching, and filled with immense joy over the film’s creation, Seven Screen Studio producer SS Lalit Kumar gifted a luxury car to debutant director Suresh Rajakumari even before the film’s release.
At the event…
Speaking on behalf of Seven Screen Studio, producer SS Lalit Kumar said:
“First, I would like to thank Tiruppur Subramanian Anna. I hadn’t spoken to him for two years, but as soon as I called, he came asking if the event would happen without me. Subramani Anna introduced me to SAC sir. Now I am like a member of his family. Thanks to Kalaipuli Thanu, Amma Siva, Suresh Kamatchi, and everyone else.
Sirai was a fulfilling experience. When I first heard the story, the director said he had a one-liner. As soon as he finished, I asked if I could cast my son in it. He said, ‘Think about it.’ I said, ‘No, I like Vetrimaaran’s films, and my son should debut in a film like this.’ Later, when he was unable to direct, he recommended Suresh. We asked Vetrimaaran sir, and he wished us well, saying we should definitely do it.” When the question arose of who to cast as the hero, I said that only Vikram Prabhu from Tamil cinema would be suitable for this role. I insisted that Philomin Raj should handle the editing, and he has done an excellent job. I left everything, including the music, under Philomin’s supervision; it was Philomin who uplifted this film. Madesh has done a fantastic job with the cinematography. The only reason Seven Screen Studio is known publicly is because of Vijay sir. His films, Master and Leo, are our identity, and I will never forget that. I know you will take this film to the people; thank you to everyone.
Music composer Justin Prabhakaran said:
It’s an honor to be a part of this project. Philomin brought this story to me. I told director Suresh that even without me, this film would definitely be a hit. It’s such a wonderful story. The actors are the ones who breathed life into this film. Vikram Prabhu, Anantha, Akshay Kumar, and everyone else have acted exceptionally well. My thanks to all the musicians who worked with me on this film, especially working with Yuvan Shankar Raja was a wonderful experience. My thanks to him. I’m sure you will all like the film. Thank you.
Actress Anantha said:
‘Sirai’ is my first film, and I am very proud of it. I have acted opposite Vikram Prabhu sir. Thanks to Lalit Kumar sir, Suresh sir, and everyone who gave me this opportunity. I don’t come from a film family. I went to the audition for this film out of passion. Tamil sir selected me. My thanks to him. It feels like a dream come true. Thank you everyone.
Actress Anishma said:
It’s a great pleasure to be on this stage. I have had many aspirations since I was young. Thanks to Suresh sir and Lalit sir for giving me this opportunity. Working with Vikram Prabhu sir was a joyful experience. They took very good care of me. Akshay was very supportive of me. He has now become a good friend. For both of us, going to Madurai felt like going to school. Soori sir guided us. This film was a wonderful experience. Thank you to everyone.
Director Thamizh spoke as follows:
I have come to this stage to express my gratitude. Philomin was the one who sent me to Lalith sir. He said he wanted to make a film like ‘Visaranai’. If he had wanted, he could have cast his son in any film, but he said he wanted a film like Vetrimaaran’s. I told him about this story, which is based on a true incident, saying that I had a one-line idea. He said we would do this story. After that, Suresh sir came, and Lalith sir said it was okay since he was Vetrimaaran’s assistant. Making ourselves cry by watching the story we wrote is a huge thing, and Suresh sir has done that. I went to Vikram Prabhu sir, thinking that at least there would be someone to listen to the story, and he listened to the story and agreed to do it. This story is based on a true incident. I am the only one who has seen the real people, but their faces are now fading, and only Akshay and Anisha’s faces come to mind. Everyone worked so hard on this. Philomin, Madhesh, and everyone else are part of our family team. Vetrimaaran sir is the one who shaped me. During the ‘Visaranai’ shooting, he asked if I had any stories I was proud that someone from my district had come and written this story with such intensity. Suresh has now joined my list of favorite creators. I really liked Vikram Prabhu. Annai Illam will now become busy. Venkat Prabhu’s one-liner, “My name is Khan, I am not a terrorist,” was the reason for making the Maanaadu film. This film has also addressed a similarly powerful issue. In Tamil cinema, we have been portraying the Muslim community in a cruel light. This film speaks strongly about that. Tamil cinema has gained a good actor in Akshay. There is a lack of young actors in Tamil cinema, and Akshay should fill that void. I wish this film great success. I request the press and media friends to support this film.
Producer Amma Siva spoke as follows:
After watching the film and coming out, I asked, “Whose assistant are you?” He said, “Vetrimaaran’s.” He has truly brought pride to Vetrimaaran. In my view, this is entirely a director’s film. This wouldn’t have been possible without Suresh’s hard work. He has meticulously taken care of every little detail. Akshay should do more romantic films like this. I was amazed by Vikram Prabhu. He lived the role of a police officer with great dignity. The film was very natural and fantastic. Producer Lalith is a respectable friend. My best wishes to him. Congratulations to the entire film crew. I wish that this film will be one of the best films in Tamil cinema.
Director R.K. Selvamani spoke as follows:
Lalith is as strict as he is kind. During the Corona period, the film industry was in a very difficult situation. Everyone was out of work. I spoke to Thanu sir, and he said he would send 100 bags of rice and asked me to call someone else. When I called Lalith sir, he came in person and provided assistance of 10 lakh rupees. He is such a kind person. Tamil cinema is doing well, but the producers are not. Everyone should be as careful as Lalith sir. I watched the movie ‘Jail’. It captivated me from the very first three minutes. Vikram Prabhu will become an important hero in Tamil cinema. After watching the film, I felt it was like a Vetrimaaran film. I was happy when I learned that he was his assistant. He has gone beyond Vetrimaaran, meticulously crafting human emotions through subtle details. He will become an important director in Tamil cinema. I was surprised how Akshay managed to play such a role. He has acted wonderfully. This film, with its Muslim name, beautifully speaks about Indian unity. This film doesn’t need any promotion; it will definitely be a success. Congratulations to the entire film crew, thank you.
Director S. A. Chandrasekhar said…,
Sridhar sir is my mentor, after him, the poetic director Balu Mahendra, and after him, my favorite director Vetrimaaran. His film is impactful without having the Balu Mahendra style; it’s not surprising that someone who worked with him for 15 years would have his influence. We create the character in the story, and whoever acts in it should fit the role perfectly. That’s something Vetrimaaran possesses. Suresh has delivered a wonderful creation, having come from him. Akshay, you have got a good team in your first film. You have got a good role, you have got a good opportunity, make the most of it. Producer Lalit spends wisely on what needs to be spent on. He is a producer who is known worldwide; congratulations to him. Shivaji sir arranged my marriage; I like him very much. Vikram Prabhu’s first film was good, but I was sad that he hadn’t been getting good teams recently. I’m happy that he got one in this film. Congratulations to everyone.
Tiruppur Subramanian said…,
In a function, instead of praising the hero excessively, when people talk about the director’s talent, that’s when it’s a successful film. If they talk about the director’s talent, it will be a successful film. The reason for the decline in Tamil cinema’s successes is the interference of the actors. If they didn’t interfere, Tamil cinema would achieve even greater success. Lalith called to congratulate me. I watched the film; all the actors have breathed life into their characters. The director has directed it wonderfully. I wish them all success. Akshay doesn’t look like a newcomer, and that’s because of the director. He has delivered a film with a good message; congratulations to everyone.
Actor Vikram Prabhu said:
‘Sirai’ is a very important film. This is a great start for Akshay; congratulations to him. Thankfully, he didn’t get a film like ‘Visaranai’. You only shoveled cow dung, but I shoveled elephant dung. Everything is an experience. When I was struggling in the sun while shooting ‘Taanakkaran’, I called Ghibran and talked about how he was going to compose the music. But that film didn’t release in theaters due to COVID. I’m happy to have gotten this film again with the same ‘Taanakkaran’ team. Congratulations to you too. Thanks to Lalith sir for choosing such a story. Thank you for choosing me…
Thanks to Tamil sir for the opportunity. It was a pleasure working with your team, Madhesh. Anishma and Anantha, even though you were there for a short time, you acted wonderfully. While I was acting, I wondered how the music would be in some scenes. Justin has done a fantastic job. Philomin has made this film as the creative head. Thank you. Thanks to Soori. Thanks to everyone who came here today and wished the film well. I am proud of this team, and it’s a pleasure to be with them. Thank you everyone.
Director Pa. Ranjith spoke as follows:
This is a very happy stage. Suresh is one of those who came with me as an assistant director from our college. I knew he was working with Vetrimaaran. When I heard he was making the film ‘Jail’, I was very eager. I didn’t know that Lalith sir’s son had acted in it. I watched the film, and the experience it gave me is what’s important. As an artist, how honest we are to art is what matters. Suresh has been honest to art and has delivered a very important film. Even though he worked with Vetrimaaran sir and learned from him before making this film, this film surprised me. It took me closer to the lives of those people. I consider it important that it realistically portrayed life and its nature. Even I felt anxious, wondering if the heroine would somehow get together with the hero. The making was fantastic. The editing had a great rhythm. Justin’s background music was wonderful. The art director is from our college. Congratulations to everyone. The way Madhesh showed the village was excellent; I was able to see it up close in this film. I liked it very much. Akshay has done well. Vikram Prabhu acted very realistically and in a new way in this film; congratulations to him. Anishma has done exceptionally well. Tamil’s screenplay was very good. I was surprised to see that the police officers were so good. When it comes to a true story, I must admit that Suresh has directed this film beautifully. I really liked this film. I believe everyone will like this film, and I thank Lalit sir for trusting and producing this film. Congratulations to everyone.
Director Vetrimaaran said:
This stage is very emotional for me. This year, my assistant directors are releasing their films. You can’t find a person as natural and composed as Suresh. Even if I make a mistake, he has the honesty to point it out in the right way. He has the ability to handle people. Lalit sir is gifting him a car. He has directed the film very naturally and beautifully, leaving behind all the pressure that comes with making a debut film. There is a police station scene in this film, and I told him that if he shot it correctly, the film would become a huge success. That’s what Ranjith praised. He has a unique talent in approaching and resolving issues and problems. He joined me after ‘Aadukalam’ and has been with me ever since. I have watched the film ‘Sirai’. When people who have worked with me make a film, I first look for what’s wrong with it. But everyone who watched the film called me and praised it. The impact the film has created on everyone gives me great joy. He has a lot of experience related to police procedures in his life, which gives a huge impact to the film. The editing in the film was excellent. The music was a major strength of the film. Vikram Prabhu is visible only for the first five minutes; after that, only the character is visible. All the characters have acted so wonderfully. Everything has come together to create a beautiful work that asks us profound questions. Anishma’s smile is so beautiful. Akshay has completely disappeared into that character. He has acted very naturally. The hard work of all these people has become a strength for the film. Suresh said that the editor’s help was a great strength, and Philomin has done an excellent job. Making a film within such a short period is not easy, and Suresh has achieved it. It’s a joy that this film brings happiness to everyone who watches it. Thank you for giving this opportunity to Suresh. Giving a car before the film’s release is also a happy occasion. Congratulations to everyone.
The director of Taanakkaran, Tamil, has written the story of this film based on his own real-life experiences. Suresh Rajakumari, who was an associate director of director Vetrimaaran, has written and directed this film.
Actor Vikram Prabhu plays the lead role, with actress Anantha as the female lead. Producer SS Lalit Kumar’s son, LK Akshay Kumar, makes his debut in this film. Anishma plays opposite him.
Produced by SS Lalit Kumar under the banner of Seven Screen Studio on a grand scale, the film features music by Justin Prabhakaran. Madhesh Manickam handled the cinematography, and Philomin Raj did the editing. Prabhu designed the stunt sequences. Arun K and Manikandan served as executive producers.
With the release of the film ‘Taanakkaran’ approaching, and filled with immense joy over the creation, Seven Screen Studio producer SS Lalit Kumar gifted a car to the debut director Suresh even before the film’s release.
He gifted the princess an expensive car.
This film is scheduled to be released worldwide in theaters on the 25th, as a Christmas treat.
