“Sattendru Maaruthu Vaanilai” – Movie Pre-Release Event!
Produced and directed by Babu Vijay under the banner of BV Production, and starring actor Jai in the lead role, “Sattendru Maaruthu Vaanilai” is an innovative romantic thriller that powerfully addresses contemporary societal issues.
Meenakshi Govindarajan stars as the female lead in this film. Joining them in pivotal roles are a host of other actors, including Yogi Babu, Garuda Ram, and Sriman.
The central theme of the film revolves around the journey of emotions, surprises, and seismic shifts that constantly occur in human life. Furthermore, the movie boldly highlights significant issues—both current and impending—facing the nation.
Scheduled for theatrical release on May 15th, the film’s pre-release event was held as a grand celebration in the presence of the press and media fraternity, attended by the film crew alongside various cinema celebrities.
Cinematographer Richard M. Nathan addressed the gathering as follows:
“Greetings to everyone. Generally, the successes or failures of friends or workplace colleagues tend to pass us by without affecting us deeply. However, the success of certain individuals brings us a unique sense of personal joy. It evokes a feeling of pride—the realization that ‘someone who once stood beside us has now risen to great heights.’
Within that close-knit circle, Director Babu Vijay holds a very special place in my life. In this film, he has taken on the dual role of both director and producer. Just as it is incredibly difficult to race a bike while simultaneously carrying a fuel canister—all while striving for victory—producing and directing one’s debut film is an equally formidable challenge.
Having fully grasped the weight of that responsibility and the struggles involved, I stood by this project wholeheartedly and without any personal expectations, dedicating my absolute best effort to it.
I am confident that this film will undoubtedly achieve the success it truly deserves—a success commensurate with the dedication and hard work invested in it. I trust that you, the audience, will continue to extend this same love and support to the film as it celebrates its victory.” “Finally, extending my thanks to everyone, I would like to warmly welcome Stunt Master Jai Murali to this event.”
Costume Designer Kamali spoke as follows:
“Greetings to everyone. First, I would like to convey my heartfelt wishes to this film crew. My sincere gratitude goes to Jai Sir for providing this opportunity, and to Babu Sir for placing his trust in me and bringing me on board as the costume designer for this film.
I have learned a great deal from you, Sir. My heartfelt wishes go out to the entire team behind this film. I wish for the movie to achieve massive success.
In particular, my warmest wishes go to my close friend, Meenakshi. Once again, my appreciation and best wishes for success to everyone who worked on this film crew. Thank you.”
Stunt Master Murali spoke as follows:
“Greetings to everyone. My heartfelt thanks go to Babu Sir for giving me the opportunity to work on this film.
Watching the songs from this movie on the screen was a truly grand and spectacular experience. It is clearly evident that Babu Sir has worked tirelessly and with complete dedication to achieve that result.
I, too, have previously worked with full commitment on many films, such as Ghajini and 7aum Arivu. Similarly, it gives me immense joy to have collaborated with Babu Sir on his very first film.
I have worked with Jai Sir on numerous action sequences in the past; during those times, he offered me tremendous cooperation and support. He performs exceptionally well in action sequences.
The director has also given me a significant opportunity within this film. The hard work and dedication he invested in that endeavor are truly praiseworthy.
One can never predict when or how life might change. In that same spirit, I believe that this film will bring about positive changes in the lives of many who have worked on it.
I share a long-standing friendship with Richard. The experience of all of us coming together to work on this film was a source of great joy.
I am confident that this film will undoubtedly be a success.” “I would like to extend a special word of thanks specifically to the music composer. All the songs in this film have turned out beautifully. I believe that, after a long hiatus, these will be the kind of songs that people will be talking about extensively.
I wholeheartedly wish for this film to achieve massive success and to pave the way for a bright future and a fulfilling life for everyone who worked on it. Thank you.”
Editor Darling Richardson spoke as follows:
“Greetings to everyone. When I reflect on where this journey of ours began, the foundation of it all was ‘BAFTA.’ That is where we first met Jai Sir and Babu. The journey that started there has today blossomed into a feature film.
This debut film stands as the culmination of a journey spanning over eight years.
My heartfelt gratitude goes to Babu Sir for placing his trust in me and entrusting me with this film. He is an excellent director. Typically, he would grant us leave on Saturdays, Sundays, and all public holidays. He would also ensure that all office work was wrapped up by 6:00 PM. Working with such a calm and affectionate team…”
Working on this project was a truly cherished experience for me.
I have previously worked with Jai Sir as an assistant editor on the film Balloon. To have the opportunity to work with him again on my very first film as an independent editor feels like a true blessing. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to him for that.
Likewise, my thanks go to Dhananjayan Sir, Sasi Sir, Meenakshi, and everyone else who worked on this film.
I pay my respects to all the ‘Masters’ (veterans) present here today. I also wish to thank all the friends and family members who have come to attend this event.
I would like to express my special gratitude to three individuals who have played pivotal roles in my life. First, Editor Lalin Sir—he was my very first mentor. Next, Editor Ruben Sir—I worked under him as an assistant editor for nearly nine years. And third, Director Atlee Sir. I learned a great deal from all three of them. These are the key individuals responsible for helping me reach the position I stand in today.
My heartfelt thanks to one and all. Thank you.”
CFO Sathyanarayanan spoke as follows:
“Good evening, everyone. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Director Babu Vijay and the entire team behind this film.
We have all poured a tremendous amount of hard work into this project. In particular, this film represents a dream come true for Babu Vijay.
I am confident that you will all lend your support to this film and help make it a massive success. Thank you.”
Music Composer Girishh Gopalakrishnan spoke as follows:
“Hello, everyone. Although I have had the experience of holding a microphone and speaking on many stages before, it gives me immense joy to be speaking on this stage today. First and foremost, it is a great pleasure to meet Sasi Sir in person. I am a huge fan of yours. The emotional depth present in each of your films has left a profound impact on me. In particular, I am eagerly looking forward to your upcoming film featuring Vijay Antony Sir.” Even while we were working on the film Kolai, Vijay Antony Sir would often speak highly of you. Therefore, meeting you in person today brings me immense joy, Sir.
Speaking of Murugadoss Sir, there is simply no sphere where you haven’t left a profound impact. Your films have truly shaken the very foundations of Tamil Nadu. I firmly believe that the seeds you sowed are the very reason behind many of the transformative changes we witness today. You serve as a monumental source of inspiration for all of us.
Working with Jai Bro on this film was a truly wonderful experience. His depth of musical knowledge left me astounded. He would engage in discussions with me on everything—from production-related matters to the most minute details of the musical composition. He offered brilliant suggestions, often asking, “How did you execute this?” or “How would it sound if we tried it this way?” It was an absolute pleasure working with you on this project, Bro. The moment audiences watch the film, your commanding screen presence will be evident to everyone.
Meenakshi has delivered a magnificent performance in this film. Similarly, I have been a great admirer of Richard’s work right from his very first film. I only realized that he had played a small role in this movie when I was reviewing the footage; no one had mentioned it to me beforehand. I consider it a delightful surprise cameo within the film.
I also got to know Darling through a mutual friend. He is an exceptionally talented writer. I hope to see you work on many more films in the future, Bro.
Now, I must speak about our director, Babu Vijay. The quality that impressed me the most about him was his remarkable ability to make quick decisions. Perhaps it stems from his background in business, but he is capable of making clear-cut decisions on any matter instantly. Many of the directors I have worked with in the past tend to deliberate for long periods, and often end up altering their decisions based on the varying opinions of others. Babu Vijay, however, is entirely different. Once he makes a decision, no one—not even he himself—can change it. That is the extent of his decisiveness.
This quality makes the process of working incredibly smooth and easy for technicians like us. “Once I submit a tune—provided he believes it is the right one—there are no further unnecessary debates. Working with directors of this caliber makes the creative process incredibly smooth for all of us. Furthermore, he possesses impeccable musical taste. He approached me with the specific vision of creating the kind of music for this film that he himself would genuinely cherish and enjoy.
Producing, directing, and bringing a film to the point of release is an immensely arduous undertaking. To have achieved this feat with his very first film is, in truth, a monumental accomplishment. This journey was fraught with numerous challenges. Whenever a problem arose, he would give me a call. If his voice sounded even slightly weary when he addressed me as ‘Brother…’, I knew immediately that something was amiss. Conversely, if that same ‘Brother…’ carried a tone of enthusiasm, it signaled that good news was on the way.
Having surmounted all these challenges, the film has finally reached the stage of its theatrical release today. I urge everyone to visit the theaters on May 15th to watch and enjoy this movie. My heartfelt best wishes to one and all. Thank you.”
Mr. Sivakumar—an industrialist, Chairman of the Muthuraman Group of Companies, and former member of the Censor Board—spoke as follows:
“Greetings. I am stepping onto a stage to deliver a speech once again after a hiatus of nearly ten years. My last public address was ten years ago…”
“I produced two films. Subsequently, I withdrew completely from the film industry and began focusing my attention on the business sector. Currently, our manufacturing facilities are operational across seven different countries.
Our business partners include major corporations such as Daimler, BharatBenz, Samsung, and Hyundai. In total, approximately 25,000 employees work with us. Over the past decade, I have been fully immersed in the corporate world. At present, I am also engaged in the work of establishing a new manufacturing plant with a fresh investment of ₹1,200 crores.
The reason I am attending this event is our CFO, Sathyanarayanan. He assisted me with a critical business assignment; he successfully executed a significant responsibility that I had entrusted to him. That is precisely why, when he extended the invitation yesterday evening, I readily agreed to attend this ceremony. Generally, I do not attend such film-related events, nor do I typically speak on public stages.
I am prepared to invest ₹100 crores to produce Director Vijay Babu’s next film. Let him simply present a compelling story. From the perspective of our corporate scale, that sum of ₹100 crores is not a significant figure. However, I am willing to undertake this project out of the immense trust I place in both him and our CFO, Sathyanarayanan.
Snehan is a very close friend of mine. About ten years ago, we shared a close bond and spent a couple of years in close association. He may have forgotten that period, but seeing him here on this stage today brings me great joy.
Speaking on a public platform such as this is a novel experience for me. I delivered many speeches during my tenure with the Cricket Board; however, this marks the very first time I am stepping onto a stage once again since that period. Thank you, everyone.”
Producer Dhananjayan spoke as follows:
“There exists a significant connection between Mr. Joseph Vijay—who currently serves as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu—and the three individuals present here today. It gives me great pleasure to speak about that connection. In particular, seeing Murugadoss Sir here fills me with an even greater sense of pride.” Three pivotal films that propelled Vijay Sir’s career to the next level are Thuppakki, Kaththi, and Sarkar. Just as these three films brought immense success to Vijay Sir, they also elevated Murugadoss Sir’s journey to extraordinary heights.
The political awareness you demonstrated in the film Sarkar was truly extraordinary. The manner in which you underscored the power of a single vote felt like a visionary foresight. Even back then, you signaled that a significant change was on the horizon.
The way the issues faced by farmers were portrayed in the film Kaththi was deeply moving. I personally complimented Vijay Sir on the exceptional performance he delivered in that film. Having primarily starred in commercial films, he delivered a performance of such emotional depth and beauty for the very first time. He was delighted to hear my appreciation.
Jai is truly like a loving younger brother. Campaigning for Vijay Sir during the election period was no ordinary feat. For someone from the film industry, openly extending political support in the public sphere is not an easy task. Yet, he stepped forward with the unwavering conviction that “My brother will win.” He consistently released videos and reels across social media platforms. Today, that belief has become a reality, and Vijay Sir has become the Chief Minister. This brings pride not only to us but to the entire film fraternity.
Everyone shares the confidence that he will do great things for both Tamil Nadu and the film industry. Jai initially began his career playing the role of Vijay Sir’s younger brother. However, if you watch the trailer for his latest film today, you will see a distinct individuality—much like a “Junior Thalapathy”—characterized by unique mannerisms and a blend of comedy and acting prowess.
From now on, we will no longer be able to see Vijay Sir on the silver screen. However, Jai possesses the capability to fill that void. If you find the right scripts and stories, you too can scale great heights, just like your elder brother.
Babu Vijay hails from a family that manages a major corporate enterprise. Given this background, I was pleasantly surprised when he enrolled as a student in the very first batch of the BOFTA Film Institute. “I have only one goal—to make a film with Vijay Sir,” he declared back then.
He asked me to help him join Murugadoss Sir as an assistant director. I spoke to Murugadoss Sir, and he gave him the opportunity. He worked as an associate director on the film Sarkar. At that time, he told me with great joy, “Sir, my dream has come true! I have worked on a Vijay Sir film alongside Murugadoss Sir.”
Subsequently, his dream evolved into directing a film of his own. That dream has now taken shape as the movie Sattendru Maaruthu Vaanilai.
With complete faith in his vision, his family and friends have produced this film on a grand scale. This movie marks the debut of a student from BOFTA’s very first batch as an editor, and introduces Babu Vijay as a director. It is a matter of great pride for us that Murugadoss Sir—his mentor—is present at this event, as is Sasikumar Sir, who trained them at BOFTA.
Since it was his debut feature, I suggested to him that he start with a small, realistic film. However, he replied, “I come from the school of commercial cinema directors. My first film…”
‘It will be a commercial film,’ he said. True to those words, this movie has been crafted accordingly.
Just like in Murugadoss Sir’s films, this movie offers plenty of entertainment; yet, at the same time, it conveys a socially responsible message. Babu Vijay has poured his heart and soul—his absolute best effort—into this film.
Finally, I am confident that this film will reach a wide audience. I appeal to my friends in the media to extend your full support to this project. Today, Thalapathy Vijay has achieved a monumental milestone, rising to the stature of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. I humbly request your support to ensure that this creative endeavor—crafted collectively by many individuals associated with him—also achieves resounding success. Thank you.”
Actor Kathir spoke as follows:
“‘Sattendru Maaruthu Vaanilai’ is a very special film for me. I have always harbored a desire to act alongside Vijay Sir. However, he entered the political arena around that time. Consequently, I was left with a sense of unfulfilled longing—the regret of not being able to act directly alongside him. Yet, while acting with Jai Sir in this film, I experienced the very same feeling as if I were acting with Vijay Sir himself. Throughout the entire film, he has delivered a performance charged with that very same energy.
More importantly, it brings me immense joy to see that the film has been completed successfully and has reached the stage of release. After all, even if we act in a film, its actual release is paramount; only then can it truly reach the people. You have successfully accomplished that crucial task. I am truly delighted about that.
Acting alongside Meenakshi Ma’am was also a wonderful experience. In every single scene, you performed with great emotional depth while maintaining a remarkable sense of naturalness. It is a matter of great pride for me to share this stage with Murugadoss Sir. Likewise, I am delighted to be present at this event alongside Bose Venkat Sir, Dhananjayan Sir, Richard Anna, Snehan Sir, and everyone else gathered here today.
I invite my friends in the media to watch and enjoy this film, and to write about it in a positive light. In today’s times, people visit theaters with the sole expectation of experiencing wholesome entertainment. This film possesses every single one of those elements. Therefore, I urge everyone to extend their support to this movie. Thank you.” Lyricist Snehan spoke as follows:
“The experience of working on this film was truly delightful for me. In particular, for a lyricist, it brings immense joy to work with a music composer who is a genuine admirer of poetry and lyrics. Often, the prevailing mindset in many places is simply, ‘Give me a tune, and I’ll fit the lyrics into it.’ However, it is rare to find music composers who truly appreciate the lyrics and actively encourage the creators and poets behind them.
Standing beautifully tall in that distinguished lineage today is the music composer of this film. I was deeply impressed by the way he appreciates Tamil lyrics and poetry. I have penned two songs for this film: one titled ‘Sattendru Maaruthu Vaanilai’ and the other, ‘Uyire.’ We crafted both of these songs together.
The remaining song was written by a different team. Even then, we jokingly remarked, ‘At least give us that one song!’ But they humorously retorted, ‘This is a song we are writing collectively as a group; don’t you step into this one!’ The entire experience was filled with joy.
When I met Mr. Babu Vijay, the quality that captivated me the most was his simplicity. I was astonished when I learned that he is a prominent businessman. This is because managing a business on one hand while fully immersing oneself in the world of art on the other is an incredibly difficult feat. Generally, a person’s entire focus tends to lie either in crunching numbers or in appreciating art. Yet, he has balanced these two distinct worlds with perfect equilibrium, transforming this film into a beautiful work of art.
It gives me great pleasure to stand on this stage today—after such a long hiatus—and meet my friends from the media as well as many old acquaintances. In today’s modern world, the mere act of meeting one another in person has become as rare and special as a festive celebration. In an era where everything seems to be drifting apart, this film has provided us with a wonderful opportunity to meet face-to-face and engage in heartfelt conversation.” Among my favorite directors, Sasi Sir and Murugadoss Sir hold a prominent place. Although I haven’t had the opportunity to work with them directly, I will always remain a devoted admirer of theirs, watching from the sidelines.
Speaking of Jai Sir, whenever I see him, he reminds me of a child who has just started school. Regardless of the size of the crowd around him or the wealth of experience he possesses, he retains a certain childlike innocence. I believe that is his greatest strength.
Working alongside him on this film was truly a blessing for me. In particular, the significance he accorded to the songs I penned was a truly remarkable gesture. In today’s times, it has become common practice for songs to be chopped into short snippets and celebrated primarily on social media platforms. In such an environment, it is rare to find songs that are presented in their full, complete form—featuring substantial length and rich, refined Tamil vocabulary.
In that regard, I am confident that the two songs I wrote for this film will prove to be tracks that people will listen to over and over again. My gratitude goes to the music composer who granted me this wonderful opportunity.
…and to the director, my heartfelt thanks and best wishes.”
Actress Meenakshi spoke as follows:
“Greetings to everyone. I must extend a special word of thanks to Babu Vijay Sir. Thank you very much, Sir, for offering me this opportunity. We encountered numerous hurdles throughout our journey; yet, having overcome them all, we have reached the stage where we are able to host this event today. My heartfelt gratitude goes to you for placing your trust in me and granting me this opportunity.
This marks my second film alongside Jai Sir. It was a truly delightful experience to work with him once again. Similarly, a special word of thanks goes to Richard Sir; he has portrayed all of us on screen in a truly beautiful manner.
My thanks also go out to the other actors, technicians, and the entire crew who worked on this film. The movie is scheduled for release on May 15th. We sincerely hope that everyone will visit the theaters and extend your support to this film. Thank you.”
Director Sasi spoke as follows:
“When Babu Vijay approached me and said, ‘I am going to direct a film,’ my very first question was, ‘Who is the producer?’ To that, he replied, ‘I am the producer, Sir.’ Hearing that, I felt a tinge of anxiety. It struck me as an incredibly daunting challenge—to be directing one’s debut film while simultaneously producing it oneself.
I also harbored some apprehension regarding the timeline he proposed for completing the film. I wondered how it would be possible to execute a project of such high quality within such a remarkably short span of time. However, having witnessed the trailer, the songs, and their visuals today, I am truly left in a state of both shock and awe. As a fellow filmmaker, I am absolutely mesmerized by what I have seen.
First and foremost, I must express my gratitude for Richard’s cinematography. Without Richard, it would have been utterly impossible to craft visuals of such exceptional quality within such a limited time frame. My sincere ‘hats off’ to him. Likewise, Krish’s musical score was thoroughly engaging; the songs, too, have turned out splendidly.” In particular, the way rap elements were blended into Bharathiyar’s song was truly excellent.
Speaking of Babu Vijay: when I was conducting classes at BOFTA, there were always a select few students who would stand out and catch our attention every year. Babu Vijay was one such student. Even the short films he produced merely for exams and tests were enough to make us turn around and ask, “Who is this guy?” He was a student whom I specifically remembered for that very reason.
I was eagerly awaiting the opportunity to see what his feature film would look like. On one occasion, he shared just the core concept of this story with me. It felt incredibly natural—something that could very well happen in our own lives. I believed right then and there that this single concept alone would propel this film to great success.
Just as Babu Vijay built up immense expectations in me when he was a student, this trailer and the songs have rekindled that very same anticipation. I am confident that this film will rank among Jai’s most significant works. My heartfelt wishes go out to Babu Vijay and the entire film crew. Thank you, everyone.”
Director Murugadoss spoke as follows:
“Good evening, everyone. I am delighted to be here today to attend the event marking Babu Vijay’s debut as both a director and a producer. I see the very same sense of eagerness and excitement in Babu Vijay today that I felt myself when my own debut film was released.
Babu Vijay is someone very close to me. Every technician who has worked with him knows one thing: when he initially approaches you for a project, he negotiates a very attractive salary. However, it is only when the film nears completion that you realize he has actually extracted three times that amount of hard work from everyone! That is a testament to his dedication.
An interesting incident comes to mind—something that happened during the making of the film Sarkar. After the film was completed, we participated in an interview session. The panel included myself, the lead actress, and Mr. Pazha Karuppiah.” At that moment, Pazha. Karuppiah Sir called Babu Vijay over and asked, “I know how to speak on political stages, but I don’t know how to give interviews for cinema. What should I talk about?”
To this, Babu Vijay replied, “Sir, initially you were hesitant to act in this film. You asked, ‘I am involved in politics; how can I play a villainous character?’ At that time, I suggested, ‘Ask your grandchildren.’ They told you, ‘If it’s a Vijay Sir movie, you must definitely do it; you will gain great reach among the public.’ Just tell them exactly that, Sir.”
As the interview began, Pazha. Karuppiah Sir started speaking, repeatedly mentioning my name: “Babu Vijay… Babu Vijay…” Sitting right beside him, I was astonished, thinking, ‘He is mentioning my name so many times!’ That moment remains an unforgettable memory to this day.
Furthermore, Babu Vijay has stood by me during some of my most difficult times. When one of my films was released, posters were being torn down, and major disturbances were unfolding. Amidst a situation where the area was surrounded by police, the two of us sat quietly inside a car with tinted windows, watching the events unfold near Kasi Theatre.
We were there. When I saw our posters being torn down, tears welled up in my eyes. Even during such difficult times, he stood by me.
Just this morning, he said to me, “Sir, please speak about that incident.” Do you see? He has managed to make me talk about that very same thing once again. That is the talent of Babu Vijay. He is an incredibly honest and hardworking man.
To date, twelve assistant directors who worked under me have gone on to become directors themselves. Among them, I am overjoyed to see Babu Vijay’s debut film releasing today. Every morning, as early as 7:00 or 7:30 AM, he would be waiting downstairs in his car. He would have all the rehearsals fully prepared and ready to go. That is the extent of his work ethic. Babu Vijay is one of the key assistant directors who actually managed to make me feel lazy!
Today, he makes his debut not only as a director but also as a producer. I do not merely offer my wishes for this film to be a massive success; I pray to God that it becomes one.
I must also say a few words about Jai. I share a wonderful connection with him as well. He starred as the lead in Engaeyum Eppothum, a film produced under my banner. That was followed by Raja Rani. Now, this feels like our third significant collaboration. I hope this turns out to be a hat-trick success for us.
Jai is a truly fine actor. His comedic timing is excellent. This isn’t limited to the screen; he possesses that same sense of humor when you speak with him in person.
Meenakshi is a classical dancer. My daughter and she learned dance under the same guru, so I have met her on previous occasions. She looks absolutely beautiful in this film and has delivered a wonderful performance. I wish her a bright and promising future in Tamil cinema.
I also learned about the incredible speed at which Cinematographer Richard works. People told me, “He is incredibly fast, Sir!” Working fast is one thing; maintaining high quality while doing so is quite another—a very difficult feat to achieve. Yet, Richard has successfully accomplished exactly that. “Translating the money invested onto the screen with high quality is a cinematographer’s greatest responsibility. He has executed this task brilliantly.
The editor, too, has done an excellent job. The music is superb as well; in particular, the sheer ‘vibe’ of the song ‘Fever Endru…’ felt wonderful the moment one heard it. Both the songs and the visuals were of high quality.
Overcoming numerous obstacles and struggles, Babu Vijay has brought this film before you today. Therefore, I urge all our friends from the press, television channels, and YouTube communities to extend their full support to this film. I wholeheartedly wish for Babu Vijay to achieve great success as both a director and a producer. Thank you. Vanakkam.”
Director Babu Vijay spoke as follows:
“First and foremost, I offer my gratitude to the Almighty—for granting me this wonderful moment and for bestowing upon me the blessings of all of you here. My heartfelt love and gratitude go out to my parents. More importantly, I owe a massive debt of gratitude to my wife, Lakshmi Sharma. Were it not for her, I would not be standing here today. She is the one who has supported me completely, in every conceivable way.
Likewise, I must thank my friend, Sathyanarayanan. During moments when I felt weary or discouraged, he was the one who held me up, reassured me by saying, ‘You can do it,’ and continuously motivated me to press on. My thanks go out to him as well.
Whenever the word ‘cinema’ crosses my mind, the very first name that surfaces is that of a single individual: A.R. Murugadoss Sir. Initially, I harbored no ambition of becoming a director. However, ever since I watched the film Ramanaa, my sole aspiration became simply to work under Murugadoss Sir as an assistant director for at least one film; such was the extent of my almost obsessive devotion to him. Had I been born a woman, my romantic infatuation with him would have been so intense that it likely would have caused a major uproar within his household!
I would do anything for Sir—because I know that he, in turn, would do even more for others, particularly for his assistant directors. The reason I stand here today, and the reason this film has come to fruition, lies entirely in the lessons I learned while working under his guidance.” In truth, what I learned from him amounts to less than even five percent. Yet, it is for that very five percent that you are showering me with such praise. No one can ever fully master everything he has to offer.
Murugadoss Sir allows his assistant directors the freedom to work. He doesn’t immediately question whether a specific approach is right or wrong; instead, he first tells us to execute it, and only then does he offer corrections. He stands as a prime example of how assistant directors ought to be treated.
When working with him, one becomes completely oblivious to the outside world; such is the extent to which he shares his knowledge and imparts his craft. The moment I decided to venture into film production, the first person I met was Dhananjayan Sir. The advice he offered proved to be immensely helpful throughout the making of this film.
My gratitude goes out to the entire technical crew—beginning, first and foremost, with Richard Sir. In truth, he is the single biggest reason why this film has achieved such a high standard of quality. Initially, I hadn’t even approached him; I assumed that, being such a renowned cinematographer, he wouldn’t be interested in a small-scale project like this. However, having caught wind of the project himself, he reached out to me personally and declared, “I want to do this film.”
That was a truly remarkable gesture—and to this day, he has not accepted a single rupee as remuneration. Telling me, “You are producing a film for the very first time; money is not the priority,” he worked with absolute dedication. He didn’t merely function as a cinematographer; he worked with the diligence and oversight of a production executive. The assistance he rendered to this film is something I shall remain eternally grateful for—something I can never forget as long as I live.
Music composer Girish is an excellent listener. He patiently listens to our thoughts and provides the perfect musical score to match them. He transforms emotions that we are unable to articulate into music.
I first spotted our heroine, Meenakshi, at an event. It immediately struck me that she was the perfect fit for this story. Reaching out to her proved to be a bit of a challenge; however, the moment she heard the story, she agreed to do the film without hesitation. My sincere thanks go out to her as well.
Even before I approached Jai Sir, many people spoke to me in a negative light about him. “Jai? He won’t even show up for the shoot!” “You can’t make a film with him!” “It’s never going to work out!”—such were the comments I heard from many quarters. At one point, I even began to feel a little apprehensive myself.
That was when I spoke to Saravana Sir. He shared a valuable insight with me: “He is just like a child. If you treat him with the right approach—if you understand him and handle him with care—he will arrive at the shooting spot even before you do.”
And that is exactly how it turned out. Jai Sir truly is just like a child. Although we encountered a few minor issues along the way, if I simply explained things to him calmly, he would grasp the situation immediately. As a lead actor, he never displayed even a hint of ego on the sets. He would often change his costumes right there on the spot, reasoning that going all the way to his caravan would consume time and disrupt the lighting setup. That is the level of dedication with which he worked.
He is a brilliant actor. To be honest, no director—myself included—has yet fully tapped into his potential. While watching the final cut of the film, I found myself thinking, “Just imagine the magnitude of stories we could tell with an actor like him!” That is the caliber of his performance—truly magnificent. He is an incredibly cooperative individual.
Some people may harbor misconceptions about him; they may have misunderstood him based on isolated incidents. However, in reality, he is a truly good human being—a man with a very kind heart. “Thank you, darling… I love you,” he said, speaking with deep emotion.
All the technicians worked incredibly hard for this film. But it wasn’t just work—it was work done with love. Everyone worked with joy. My heartfelt thanks go out to each and every one of them.
“My journey as an assistant director began with A.R. Murugadoss Sir’s film, Sarkar. Today—at a time when he has risen to the stature of ‘CM Vijay Sir’—my debut film is being released, fittingly during his Sarkar era. I offer my gratitude to Murugadoss Sir, who gave me this opportunity, and to the Universe itself.
Some people have remarked that there are references to Vijay Sir in this film. That is indeed true—for I am a fan of his. Our film releases on May 15th. I request everyone to extend your support. Thank you.” Actor Jai spoke as follows:
“My heartfelt thanks go to all the elders, media friends, press representatives, friends, and family members who have gathered here today. In particular—A.R. Murugadoss Sir, Sasi Sir, Snehan Sir, our Fight Master, Editor, Music Director, and Cinematographer Richard Sir—thank you all very much.
Everyone is incredibly busy these days. Yet, amidst such hectic schedules, you have come here out of sheer affection, thinking, ‘They have invited us; let’s go and show our support.’ For that, I am truly and deeply grateful. I deeply value the time you have chosen to spend with us today.
Generally, my friends and family members would often ask me, ‘Who is your favorite director?’ I would invariably give the same answer every time—Murugadoss Sir. Later on, they even started offering me options—‘Maniratnam Sir? Shankar Sir? Murugadoss Sir?… Who do you prefer?’—but I would still firmly reply, ‘It has to be Murugadoss Sir.’
This is because I have admired his films, his personal character, and his manner of speaking to such a great extent. Without him even realizing it, I began to adopt and emulate many of his habits and traits. He has a unique ability to convey a point in a very pleasant manner, ensuring it is understood with perfect clarity.
One morning, while we were on the shooting set, he shared a piece of advice with me—something that I continue to follow in my life to this very day.
He said, ‘During the days we are shooting, make it a point to go to bed a little early. If you stay up late, you’ll develop dark circles under your eyes. To conceal those dark circles, the makeup artist will have to apply extra makeup. Consequently, the cinematographer will have to adjust the lighting setup to accommodate that makeup. Thus, your own minor lack of sleep ends up impacting the work of a great many people down the line.’
That was a profound lesson for me. From that day until this very moment, I have strictly adhered to the habit of going to bed early. Even today, if I have a shoot scheduled for the following morning, I make sure to be in bed by 10:30 at night.” However, that would always bring Mr. Murugadoss to mind. That one habit brought about a significant transformation in my life.
Speaking of the film’s music composer: initially, there were discussions involving someone else. Later, however, the director insisted that we specifically wanted the composer behind the film Mookuthi Amman. The moment I heard the first 30 seconds of the opening song, I knew instantly—”We’ve found the perfect person.”
Listening to that track through AirPods, it sounded incredibly high-quality and fresh. That is precisely why, the moment the song was released, it garnered millions of views.
The editor, too, has executed his work with equal finesse. This film proved to be a particularly challenging project for him; you will realize this for yourselves when you watch the movie.
Above all—Mr. Richard… thank you so much, Sir. Just thinking about the sheer effort you poured into this makes me feel overwhelmed with emotion.
