People are afraid to watch small-budget films: Director Perarasu’s speech at the ‘Promise’ film event!
Re-released films pose a threat to new releases: Director Perarasu’s speech!
A regulation should be brought in for re-released films: Director Perarasu’s speech!
The heroine who lent a helping hand during difficult times: Director’s speech!
Are songs in films a speed breaker or a mileage booster? – Lyricist’s speech!
‘Jananayagan’ must be released! Director Perarasu’s speech at the ‘Promise’ film event!
The truth must come out in the ‘Jananayagan’ issue: Director Perarasu’s speech!
Why has no one spoken up for ‘Jananayagan’? Director Perarasu’s question!
Since Vijay doesn’t speak up for anyone, no one speaks up for him: K. Rajan’s speech!
There is no history of anyone saying ‘I am the Chief Minister’: Producer K. Rajan’s speech!
No more political games, release the ‘Jananayagan’ film: K. Rajan’s speech!
The delay in ‘Jananayagan’ is unfair: K. Rajan’s speech!
A film titled ‘Promise’ has been made, centered on the power of truth.
Arunkumar Sekaran has acted as the protagonist and also directed the film. Nadhiya has played the female lead.
Sangamithran Production and Amman Arts Creations have jointly produced the film. N. Nagaraj is the producer.
The trailer and songs release event of this ‘Promise’ film was held today at Prasad Lab theatre.
Director Perarasu, producer and distributor association president K. Rajan, Producer’s Guild president Jaguar Thangam, and actor Kadhal Sukumar participated as special guests at the event.
All the film crew members attended the event in traditional Tamil attire, wearing dhotis and shirts. Producer N. Nagarajan, who produced the film under the banner of Amman Arts Creations, welcomed everyone. While speaking, he said,
“I met this director in Vellore in 2023. He narrated a story and said that I should be the producer. I couldn’t say anything immediately. I said I would think about it and let him know. Six months passed. When I told my wife about it, she said we could do it. The film’s puja ceremony was held on August 15, 2024. The film crew was formed, and we completed the film. The director is very talented and hardworking. I was amazed by him. Although the title is in English, we wanted the dialogues and songs in the film to be in Tamil as much as possible. Only because there was no other option did we keep the title ‘Promise’ in English. Now the film is complete and ready for release. We are in a state of mind like we are writing an exam for the public. We are eagerly awaiting this film. The outcome is in the hands of the people. Everyone worked hard and cooperated well for this film. That cannot be forgotten. They worked as if it were their own film. Thank you all,” he said.
Lyricist Bala, while speaking, said,
“There is a complaint and regret that there are no good songs in the films coming out these days. The truth is, there are good lyricists and music composers for that. But the opportunities for them are decreasing. If given good opportunities, good songs will come. There is a trend of calling songs in films speed breakers. Songs are not speed breakers; they should be called mileage boosters for the films.
The song from the film ‘Guna’ is still enjoyed even after so many years. It has become an identity. The song featured in ‘Manjummel Boys’ has also become an identity. In this way, songs help in carrying a film forward. Writing songs for this film was a great experience,” he said. While speaking, editor Sriram Vignesh said,
“In this film’s trailer, we have hidden something like hiding a whole pumpkin in a plate of rice. Not everything in the film is shown in the trailer. You will understand when you watch the film.”
Director Arun Kumar Sekaran said,
“We don’t have any background, this film doesn’t have big stars or a huge budget. There is no one to support us. In such a situation, people like Perarasu and K. Rajan are the ones who are supportive.
The people of Tamil Nadu love cinema very much. If a film is good, they will celebrate it. If it’s not good, they will criticize it strongly. I worked in the media from 2015 to 2021. Then I made a pilot film. My friends were supportive. I made that one-hour film called ‘WhatsApp Status’ and screened it on an LED screen in our area. From there, I moved on, met this film’s producer, and have reached this stage.
Wherever I went asking for opportunities, they asked for experience. In that situation, he believed in me. Not only that, I cannot forget this producer who held my hand and guided me at every stage while this film was being made. Saravana Deepan’s music is the lifeblood of this film. We have released the trailer only for the first half of this film. We haven’t said anything about the second half because it would spoil the suspense. Those who watch the film will understand.”
We asked for H. Vinoth sir’s help to promote this.
He said he would help. Thanks to him. But he said, ‘How can we ask him when the ‘Democratic Leader’ is facing problems?’ So we couldn’t do anything with his help. Thanks to director Cheran sir and Natty sir who released the first look of this film.
We worked as a small team of only 12 people and did many tasks. We have completed this film. At one point, there was a fear that this film might be stopped. During that difficult time, the heroine Nadiya extended her helping hand. We cannot forget that. Many people have cooperated with us in this way. Thanks to everyone,” he said.
Music composer Saravana Deepan said,
“This is my first film; I have done my best. Everyone should support me,” he said.
Actor Kadhal Sukumar said,
“When it was mentioned here that I have completed 25 years in the film industry,
I was startled. Even if I haven’t achieved much in cinema, being in the film industry for so long is an achievement in itself. I congratulate this film crew,” he said.
Director Perarasu said,
“The word ‘oath’ has value. Once upon a time, people would take an oath seriously. That is changing now. Some people don’t behave that way. Looking at them, people would say, ‘An oath is like sweet pongal to him.’
When I was studying, they would ask us to swear on the book. They feared that if they swore falsely, they wouldn’t do well in their studies. If there was a fight between husband and wife, they would ask them to swear on the child. Today, no one is afraid of oaths. That is why so much violence and injustice are happening in this country. The country is going downhill.
In this film, the director is the hero. But the heroine is not here.
Here, when a film starts, the director should make the hero and heroine swear on the film that they will attend the film’s events.” We are seeing something like this after a long time. All three songs screened here are captivating. Both the songs and the lyrics are excellent. Some music makes you celebrate; some music touches your heart. These songs and music were like a bridge to the heart. Congratulations to the music director and lyricist.
When watching the trailer, it’s possible to understand that there is a story. Seeing the hero repeatedly swearing on the heroine’s head in this film makes one think that there’s something significant in the story. A person who swears excessively is dangerous. Looking at the oaths taken in the film, I think the story will be exciting.
In the movie ‘Mundhanai Mudichu’, when Urvashi makes an accusation against Bhagyaraj, he asks her to step over a child. Urvashi makes a false oath and steps over the child, and only after that does the film’s story begin. Similarly, I think there will be a test of truth after the oaths in this film.
For small films, a good story is paramount. In the absence of big actors or large budgets, films must rely on a good story. Only a good and unique story makes a film great. A commercial film is different from a great film. There are two types of stories: those needed for commerce and those needed for life. I think the film ‘Promise’ is a story needed for life.
People are hesitant to watch small films, and the reason for this is some of the small films themselves. Inexperienced people are making films, and they are not watchable. But this film gives hope. It gives the confidence that this film will run regardless of other releases. The story is that good.
The reception that re-released films receive today is lacking for new releases. ‘Padayappa’ was re-released and ran successfully. Now ‘Mankatha’ has been released. The theaters are full for four days. Because of this, new direct releases are struggling. Now ‘Draupadi 2’ has been released. They are speaking positively about it, but it’s struggling at the box office.
Mohan G is speaking boldly about this. He says that ‘Draupadi 2’ has earned less than ‘Mankatha’. His courage should be appreciated. He is boldly saying that his film hasn’t earned as much as ‘Mankatha’. Who else would have that courage? They are holding a success meet on the second day of the film’s release.
But Mohan G openly says that comparing his film to ‘Mankatha’ was a mistake, and that his film isn’t doing well at the box office. His courage should be commended. And giving an interview on the third day shows remarkable courage.
He is not falsely claiming that his film is a success, or boasting about second-day or third-day collections. He is giving an open, straightforward statement. However, there is talk among the public that the film is good. People are saying that the film is so fantastic despite being made on a small budget.
Because people are hesitant to go to small-budget films.
Instead, they are going to ‘Mankatha’, which is already a success.
Who instilled this fear of watching small films in the Tamil film industry?
He would keep talking about the producers.
Rajinikanth and Vijay films like ‘Ejamaan’, ‘Mannan’, and ‘Theri’ are getting ready for re-release. When smaller films are released, we need to find a solution to the problems that arise with re-releases. Appropriate regulations must be introduced. ‘Mankatha’ was already a successful film. Whether it runs again or not, there is no problem. It’s already a hit film. If ‘Padayappa’ doesn’t run, it won’t affect Rajinikanth’s market. If ‘Mankatha’ doesn’t run, it won’t be a problem for Ajith. But for direct releases, it’s a major livelihood issue. More Rajinikanth and Vijay films are ready for release. Re-release is a fantasy for them. Direct film release is their livelihood.
Another thing we need to worry about in the film industry is ‘Jananayagan’. You would never have heard of a film being delayed for so long due to censorship issues. Leave everything else aside, it’s just a film. When it’s a film, what should the censor board do? If there is violence or obscenity, they won’t allow it. They will ask for cuts. If there is too much of it, they will give an ‘A’ certificate and tell them to release it. That’s all there is to it, isn’t it? The problem arises only if they say they cannot make the cuts. What is the problem here? It has gone all the way to court. Why is a film that went to the censor board not being released for so long? I want to tell the Central Government and the Censor Board one thing:
The Central Government receives over a thousand crores in film tax money from here, and this comes only from ticket sales. Actors and actresses earn between 200 crores and 50 crores. “From that, you receive over another thousand crores in tax money from salaries. This way. It is from that money that you pay the salaries of the Censor Board. Please keep that in mind. What does it mean if a film’s release is not finalized even after a month? The central government and the censorship department should think about this.
Others shouldn’t remain silent thinking this is just a problem between the film ‘Jananaayagan’ and Vijay’s film. It will happen to us tomorrow as well. Therefore, we must raise our voices against this. The ‘Jananaayagan’ issue has gone to court. When it goes there, there must be transparency, mustn’t there? The film ‘Jananaayagan’ should be censored and released soon. We are waiting. Thank you,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Producer (Guild) Association President Jaguar Thangam said,
“When I was learning Varma Kalai (a traditional martial art), my teacher cut my index finger with a blade and made me swear on a betel leaf, writing, ‘I will only use this if my life is in danger.’ I am still afraid of that oath to this day. I am afraid to use it, and I am afraid to teach it.
The word ‘oath’ has a power that the word ‘promise’ does not. The word ‘Amma’ (mother) has a power that the word ‘Mommy’ does not.
I saw some scenes of the film ‘Promise’; it is good. Congratulations to the film crew,” he said, offering his best wishes.
Speaking at the event, producer K. Rajan said,
“Here at the event, when the producer spoke initially, he thanked everyone. He thanked everyone, without exception, those who cooperated and those who did not. That is Tamil culture. Similarly, they lit the ceremonial lamp here. The lamp is lit as a symbol that darkness should be dispelled and light should prevail. That too is Tamil culture.” They have come here and made this film without forgetting their culture. Such a wonderful producer and director have come here. We saw the trailer and songs of a very satisfying film. They showed us excellent songs, and everyone said that the songs, visuals, and editing were all very good. However, the film must succeed. We have come here to sincerely wish them well. That is why I am congratulating them. This film will surely be a success. This producer will definitely make another film. If he does, it will be profitable for the film industry and for the workers.
In Tamil cinema, some things happen solely for the purpose of revenge.
The film ‘Jananaayagan’. Its protagonist is a big star. If he had acted normally, this problem wouldn’t have arisen. He started a political party and insisted that he would become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, didn’t he? That’s where the problem started. There is no history of anyone saying right away that they would become the Chief Minister. Starting a party is fine, there’s nothing wrong with that. One can contest in elections, campaign among the people, get votes, and if the people elect a majority of MLAs and they choose him, then he can become the Chief Minister. Nobody has ever said right away that they would become the Chief Minister. Then what will happen to those who have been running parties for fifty or sixty years? Someone developed a grudge against him. They tried to call him for an alliance. But he said, “No, I will stand alone.” They are creating problems saying, “We will take care of Jananaayagan ourselves.”
They are watching the film.
I’m not talking about who is who. A film has been completed. The hero alone received 250 crores, and the remaining 100 crore rupees was the cost of making the film. The film is finished. The producer has incurred all the expenses. Now, who is suffering? It’s the producer. The hero has taken his salary and left. Will the hero be upset that the film hasn’t been released, or will he be upset that he hasn’t received the money? He has already received the money. It was given to him a long time ago. So, he has no difficulties. But the producer who invested the money is being stopped. There is no justice in this. There is no justification for this kind of revenge. This is nothing but revenge. The investor who put in the money is suffering.
They watch the film on December 19th. If the certificate is supposed to be given on December 22nd, they suggest some cuts. If they expect the certificate to arrive on the 24th, it doesn’t come. There is no response. The Censor Board doesn’t respond. If they go to court, there is no response. Isn’t this political revenge?
Let him announce tomorrow that he is forming an alliance with this party, and the certificate will be delivered to his house within an hour tomorrow evening. These are all political games. This is wrong. Nobody is speaking up against this. Because when they were in trouble, he never spoke up for anyone. That’s why nobody is speaking up for him either. Everyone has abandoned him. The producer must be saved. There is no point in condemning this and blaming the state government. Even the Chief Minister has expressed his opposition to this on Twitter, saying that this shouldn’t be done. The central government is responsible for this.
Whichever government is in power, they should resolve the issues related to ‘Jananaayagan’, resolve the court cases, release the film, and save the producer. That is my objective. He should produce his next film and provide employment to thousands of people. The film ‘Jananaayagan’ should be released soon. Don’t take revenge on cinema for your politics. “I say this truthfully, there is a chance that this film ‘Promise’ will be a success. Congratulations to the entire film crew,” he said.
The event was attended by the ‘Promise’ film crew and a large number of people who had come from the Vellore region.