“Va Vaathiyar” Pre-Release Event!!
The film “Va Vaathiyar”, produced by K. E. Gnanavel Raja under the banner of Studio Green, starring leading actor Karthi and directed by Nalan Kumarasamy, is all set to release worldwide on January 14th as a Pongal treat.
Ahead of the release, the film crew met with members of the press, media, and radio to share their experiences about the film.
At the event,
Art Director Kiran spoke as follows…
Nalan, my favorite director, cast me in his second film, and he also asked me to work as the art director on this film. When I heard the story, I wondered how Karthi would be able to portray the character. I am a Rajinikanth fan, and my mother is an MGR fan. When I saw Karthi on the set, his face perfectly matched MGR’s photo. I told Nalan then and there that this film would be a huge success. This film will definitely impress you all. Thank you.
Actor GM Sundar spoke as follows…
I don’t feel qualified to talk about MGR, especially in front of Sathyaraj sir, who is a die-hard fan. I’m afraid I might say something wrong about MGR in front of him. He is such a passionate fan. I really like Karthi’s smile. Bringing back an iconic image to the screen is a very difficult task. Karthi has done a lot of homework to portray MGR. His body language is excellent. My best wishes to him. Such things only come to fruition with complete dedication and sincere hard work. Karthi has done a fantastic job. Krithi Shetty, welcome to Tamil cinema. I was Anandaraj’s classmate at the film institute. I’m happy to have acted with him. Director Nalan, just like in his film ‘Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum’, has given me a good role in this film as well. Many thanks to him. I know that the producer Gnanavel sir, and all the other actors and artists have worked incredibly hard for this film’s release. They have brought this film out for Pongal with great difficulty. This film will definitely be a huge success.
Actress Shilpa Manjunath spoke as follows…
First of all, my heartfelt thanks to our director Nalan Kumarasamy sir for giving me the character of Malini. When writing a story, a character has an arc. But as an actress, I also want an arc, and I aspire to play all kinds of characters. That’s why I took this kind of risk in this film. I was very happy when I took that risk. That’s why Malini has become such a strong character. First, I must appreciate the efforts and hard work of both the producer and the director of this film. This film faced major challenges. My heartfelt thanks to our director Nalan Kumarasamy sir. If this film is standing on such a big stage, the entire credit goes to them. Thanks to the film crew. The films that come to me always come for a reason. This is a star film. This will be a big festival release in Tamil Nadu, so choosing a film like this is a very difficult thing. But I truly believe that this film has turned out very well. I request all of you to watch this film and support it. Thank you.
Actor Anandaraj spoke as follows…
This is a good film. You will understand that when you watch it. The film is releasing tomorrow. It is also being released on an auspicious day and at an auspicious time. I even told producer Gnanavel sir, “Sir, the release date tomorrow is a much better date than the one we initially discussed.” Tomorrow is Bhogi festival. It is our culture to burn all the old things and start anew. So, ‘Va Vaathiyar’ is a film that starts afresh, leaving behind all the old things in our minds. This morning, Karthi sir, Sathyaraj sir, and I went to the memorial of Puratchi Thalaivar MGR. When we went there, there was a sense of joy and fulfillment. I feel proud to have gone to his memorial in person, paid our respects with tears, and now bring this film to you. Please consider this film as a tribute to him and give us your support as much as you can. We have full confidence that this film will be a great success. Karthi sir learned many things from Sathyaraj sir while working on this film. He is a senior, like an elder brother. The director of this film, Nalan sir, is a very great and experienced director. When he came and narrated the story in person, I immediately said, “Sir, you don’t even have to say anything… I’ll do it.” This film will be excellent. If you wish to see Puratchi Thalaivar on screen again, you should definitely watch this film. Thank you all.
Actor Sathyaraj spoke as follows…
If I start talking about MGR, it will become a separate story altogether. The producer of this film..I must mention something about producer Thambi Gnanavel Raja. His father was a die-hard MGR fan. He said he watched the film ‘Nadodi Mannan’ 110 times. That’s how devoted a fan he was. I’m happy that this film came to such a producer. Karthi’s first film was a very challenging one. Coming back after studying abroad and playing such a rural character is not easy. But even more difficult was this teacher character. Because it’s a character associated with the name of a leader. But beyond that, he has brilliantly incorporated MGR’s body language in this film. Krithi Shetty, Shilpa, Thambi Anandaraj, Thambi Sundar, everyone has acted wonderfully. Fifty years ago, when I came from Coimbatore, on the recommendation of my elder brother Sivakumar, I went to a doctor to reduce the size of my teeth because they were too big. But Nalan made me wear dentures for this film, saying that my character needed to look different. I have played the villain in this film. Like MGR’s Pongal films, ‘Va Vaathiyar’ is coming this Pongal; everyone celebrate it. Thank you.
Actress Krithi Shetty spoke as follows…
In an interview, Nalan sir said, “This is a festival film. A film that many families will come together and watch.” Now, that has come true. This film has become the kind of film that families, friends, and everyone can watch together. I am very, very happy about that. Many people asked me about the delay of this film. At that time, I was also a little sad. But I believe one thing – if something good is to happen, there will be a right time for it. If God makes us wait, I believe there is a bigger plan behind it. So, I am very happy that everything has happened perfectly now. My heartfelt thanks to Nalan sir and Gnanavel sir for including me in this film. I have personally witnessed how hard Nalan sir has worked for this film. I am eagerly looking forward to seeing his success. I am a huge fan of Karthi sir, but after meeting him in person, I have become an even bigger fan. The ‘Va Vaathiyar’ character – although a challenging role, no one could have done it better than him. Karthi is a wonderful person at heart. That reflects in his characters as well; Va Vaathiyar is a character with a good heart, and that comes naturally to him. I learned a lot from him. Santhosh Narayanan’s music is a huge strength for the film. Thanks to all the artists who worked on this film. Thank you everyone.
Producer Gnanavel Raja spoke as follows…
Some films didn’t do well, so there was negativity and a lot of rumors spread. But I am still here. They say I have so much debt. But I am the only producer in the industry without any debt. I am doing well. I especially want to thank a few people. First, thanks to Suriya Anna. Many friends speak supportively on stage and then disappear. But Suriya Anna is always with me, no matter what, and takes care of me. Thank you, Anna. KVN Anna, his film ‘Jananaayagan’ had huge bookings, it was Vijay sir’s last film, but its release has been delayed. But he was a great support to me in getting this film released. My thanks to him. Thanks to Jayantilal Gada sir of Pen Movies. Thanks to Sakthivel of Sakthi Films. Many friends were supportive; thank you to everyone. The TTT film is releasing. Kannan Ravi sir provided great support for this film as well. May his film also be a great success. Everyone has given outstanding performances in this film. The film is only 2 hours and 9 minutes long, and it will be incredibly fast-paced. The film will definitely be liked by everyone. Thank you.
Actor Karthi spoke as follows…
Last year, we planned to release this film with a grand celebration. But it got postponed. My first film was also postponed like this. The next film was also postponed. So, delays are not new to us – we’ve gotten used to it. In this situation, I always told Gnanavel Raja sir only one thing: “Don’t worry about what I’m thinking. Take care of your health.” We often neglect our health during these struggles.
When I was young, my father used to say that each grain of rice has someone’s name written on it, and only that person will get it. Similarly, in cinema, each frame has someone’s name written on it, and only that person will get it. I didn’t understand what he said then, but I understand it now.
As Gnanavel Raja sir said, I am indebted to many people. Especially Suriya Anna. Without his support, this film could not have been released like this. Similarly, my heartfelt thanks to the financiers, distributors, exhibitors, and technicians. They worked for 48 hours, 50 hours, without sleep, to bring this film to us. To all the workers…
I express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone.
Nalan sir is a director loved by everyone. Not just the fans, but also the artists and other directors. When he brought this concept to me, I was very scared. This character required special training. But I didn’t undergo any training beforehand. I learned on-set and tried to do it very sincerely. Every day, I repeatedly watched MGR sir’s films, observed his close-ups, and kept thinking, “How can I bring that expression to my face?” When I was afraid to even look at my own face properly, the thought of bringing his face to the screen was very daunting. But because of a director like Nalan, a cinematographer like George, and the support of the entire team, I gained the confidence that “this is possible.” That has been realized in the film. Santhosh Narayanan’s music has taken this film to another level.
MGR was a hero not only on screen but also in real life. Making a modern, enjoyable commercial film based on him is a huge achievement. This morning, we went to his memorial and paid our respects. The feeling I had while standing there was something else. He has been gone for forty years, but we still remember him. We still aspire to make films about him. As we were returning from there, I believe that his blessings are definitely behind everything falling into place so perfectly. This is a fun film that children and families can all watch and enjoy together. I wholeheartedly wish that all the films releasing this Pongal, and those about to be released, bring joy to the people and achieve great success. Thank you.
In this film, Karthi plays the lead role, with Sathyaraj, Rajkiran, Krithi Shetty, and G. M. in supporting roles. Sundar, Shilpa Manjunath, Anandaraj, Karunakaran, Ramesh Thilak, and B. L. Thenappan, among many other leading stars, have acted in this film.
The film features cinematography by leading cinematographer George C. Williams and music composed by Santhosh Narayanan. T. R. K. Kiran handled the art direction, while Vetri was in charge of the editing. Anal Arasu choreographed the action sequences.
Produced on a grand scale by K. E. Gnanavel Raja under the Studio Green banner, this film has been made with a huge budget.
This film is releasing worldwide in theaters on January 14th as a Pongal treat.