’Habibi’ Movie Audio Launch Ceremony!
The audio launch ceremony for the film Habibi—produced by Nesam Entertainment, GKS Bros Productions, and Romeo Pictures; directed by Meera Kathiravan; and starring Kasthuri Raja, Malavika Manoj, and others—was held recently.
Speaking at the event, actor Parthiban stated: “The beautiful adage, ‘The seat of life lies in the path of love,’ encapsulates the very essence of this film. Love is a treasure that cannot be purchased at any price. The reason we have all gathered here today is solely due to the affection we hold for Meera Kathiravan. Director Ram is a filmmaker with a passionate desire to champion good cinema and elevate it to its rightful place; it was he who insisted that I absolutely must watch Habibi. Meera Kathiravan belongs to that rare breed of filmmakers who prioritize telling meaningful stories over the mere pursuit of monetary gain. He is a director who captures life with remarkable authenticity. I was deeply saddened to learn today that producer Rajan has passed away by suicide. When I inquired about him with producer Thenappan, I was told that Rajan lacked neither wealth nor resources; rather, he suffered from profound loneliness. Once we reach a certain age, we all yearn for someone to speak to us with kindness and affection. Habibi is a film that promises to offer precisely that—a sense of love and warmth that embraces us all. The entire technical crew has delivered exceptional work on this project. It was Kasthuri Raja who paved the way for me to land the role in the film Aayirathil Oruvan; in Habibi, he has once again delivered a performance of great naturalness. At this juncture, I would also like to extend my congratulations to the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Vijay. It is the unwavering faith of a single individual that has triumphed and elevated him to this esteemed office. I am confident that he will undoubtedly bring about positive changes for the film industry. My best wishes to Meera Kathiravan and the entire Habibi team.” Actor Samuthirakani stated, “Producing and releasing a film of this nature is no ordinary feat. The fact that so many people have gathered here today is solely for the sake of Meera Kathiravan. May this film bring him great success. The movie is bound to be deeply emotional. It encompasses every element relevant to the contemporary era. You must definitely watch it.”
Director Magizh Thirumeni remarked, “I have already watched the film Habibi. My congratulations to the entire film crew. In the film industry, there is a constant compulsion and pressure to keep pace with the times—adapting to current trends and prevailing social circumstances. However, there exists a different category of films—those that resonate deeply with our own lives. Habibi is precisely one such film. It fills me with pride to know that this movie was written by my friend, Meera Kathiravan. The film addresses a multitude of themes: men who migrate across borders in search of a livelihood, the families left behind who yearn for their return, handloom weavers whose craft is threatened by mechanization, and the disintegration of the traditional joint family system. This is a film dedicated to the Tamil community. It serves as a cinematic chronicle of a specific era, a way of life, and a culture. The film features the character of a self-reliant woman—a wearer of the hijab—who takes full ownership of her life and makes her own decisions. The Tamil film industry must create opportunities for filmmakers like Meera Kathiravan, Thamira, and Lenin Bharathi to continue making films. I once worked as an assistant to Mr. Kasthuri Raja; the time I spent working under his guidance remains a cherished treasure in my life. The fact that Rahul is releasing this film stands as its greatest strength. My best wishes to everyone involved.”
Director Ganesh K. Babu observed, “After directing one’s debut film, there is often immense pressure surrounding the second project. Given that context, watching the trailer for Habibi left me truly amazed. It brings me great joy to share this stage with fellow directors who constantly strive—often at great personal sacrifice—to deliver meaningful and high-quality cinema. In the current social climate, the release of a film like Habibi is an absolute necessity. We rarely see films in the Tamil language that specifically focus on or represent the Muslim community. Watching this film allows one to establish a deep, personal connection with the narrative. My congratulations to the entire cast and crew.” Director Hariharan Ram stated, “It is a joy to share this stage with directors whose work I have watched and admired. For Malavika, this truly serves as her debut film. I am a fan of Meera Kathiravan’s films. My best wishes to the entire film crew.”
Director Dinakaran Sivalingam remarked, “My congratulations to my colleague, Meera Kathiravan. My own family is also connected to the handloom industry; this film has portrayed that way of life with great nuance and detail. It serves as an inspiration for future directors to depict their own lives and backgrounds without any hesitation or inhibition. I am confident that this film will also receive a warm reception from audiences on a commercial level. It is, indeed, a very significant film.”
Director Avinash observed, “When I watched this film at a special screening, I felt as though I were watching an Iranian film—only, the characters were speaking in Tamil. It is truly remarkable that the director has cast newcomers in this film—individuals with no prior background in the industry. I am certain that the audience will enjoy it as well.”
Director Suresh Rajakumari commented, “This film, which centers on our Muslim brethren, has turned out exceptionally well. It is crucial that this film receives a theatrical release. My congratulations to Director Meera Kathiravan and the entire film crew.”
Producer Thenappan stated, “Everyone who has watched this film has unanimously praised its excellence. I am confident that Director Meera Kathiravan will certainly live up to those high expectations. My best wishes to the entire film crew.”
“Our society has many facets; however, we rarely truly understand anyone. Many films have been produced focusing on the majority groups within this society. Through literature and Malayalam cinema, I have gained a certain level of understanding regarding the lives of the Muslim community. This is a significant film within Tamil cinema, and I am confident that Tamil film audiences will certainly appreciate it.”
Actor Eesha: “I would like to thank all the directors who have attended this event. My gratitude also goes to the producer and to Director Meera Kathiravan for giving me this opportunity. I hold Mr. Kasthuri Raja in the same high esteem and respect that I have for my own father. We seek your support for this film.”
Actress Malavika Manoj: “This marks my debut film in the Tamil language. I extend my best wishes to the entire film crew.” Music Composer Sam C.S. stated, “Amidst a landscape of violence-filled films, I was given the opportunity to compose the music for this story—a tale that gently caresses the heart like a peacock feather. Meera and I have had our fair share of arguments in the past; however, we are now good friends. I would like to thank Meera Kathiravan for giving me the opportunity to work on this film. The entire film crew has done an exceptional job. A major award surely awaits Kasthuri Raja for his performance in this movie.”
Director Ram remarked, “I believe this marks the first time you will see such a multitude of Islamic names featured within a single Tamil film. This is a Muslim-centric film that breaks away from stereotypes—one that features no ‘green amulets,’ no scenes set in butcher shops, and no clichéd depictions of cooking biryani. This film has the power to dismantle the preconceived notions and images we have constructed regarding the Islamic community. It stands as the first truly authentic Tamil-Islamic cinematic work to be released in the Tamil film industry. I offer my prayers for the film’s success.”
Director Meera Kathiravan said, “My sincere thanks go out to all the technical artists who poured their hard work into this film. When I mentioned that Kasthuri Raja Sir was acting in the movie, many people asked, ‘But aren’t Muslims supposed to be fair-skinned?’ This film aims to challenge and transform many such stereotypes. In a sense, I did not direct this film; rather, the film directed me—a concept I am keeping as a suspenseful mystery for now. Similarly, there is another individual who plays a pivotal role in this project. When I entered the film industry and adopted the professional name ‘Meera Kathiravan’—replacing my birth name—it sparked many questions. ‘Meera’ is my mother’s name, and I chose ‘Kathiravan’ to assert my Tamil identity. In an Agraharam (a traditional Brahmin enclave), an Iyengar gentleman graciously offered his home as a filming location for the story of ‘Mohamed Yusuf.’ This demonstrated that love and humanity transcend the boundaries of religion and caste, standing above all else. ‘Habibi’ is a film that celebrates precisely this kind of transcendent love. Kasthuri Raja Sir offered his exceptional cooperation and delivered a brilliant performance. The entire cast has performed admirably. I urge everyone to watch the film and extend your support.”