“Slum Dog 33 Temple Road” – Press Meet!!
“Slum Dog” is a pan-India action film starring ‘Makkal Selvan’ Vijay Sethupathi in the lead role, jointly produced by Puri Connects and JB Motion Pictures. Directed by the renowned Puri Jagannadh, the film has already generated immense anticipation among fans.
A grand teaser launch event for the film was held with great enthusiasm in Chennai. The occasion was graced by the film’s crew, members of the media, and various film industry celebrities.
Director Puri Jagannadh, producer Charmme Kaur, actor Vijay Sethupathi, and other crew members participated in the event, interacting with both the media and fans.
Many interesting details were shared about “Slum Dog,” a film that has built up significant hype since the announcement of its title and the release of its first-look poster.
Speaking at the event, producer JB Narayan Rao Kondrola said:
“My heartfelt greetings to all my friends in the media and press. Thank you to everyone who has attended this event.
This is my debut film as a producer. I am delighted to have produced this movie in collaboration with Director Puri Jagannadh and Charmme Madam. Furthermore, I feel immense pride and happiness that my first film features an outstanding actor like ‘Makkal Selvan’ Vijay Sethupathi.
I extend my gratitude to the entire cast, including heroine Samyuktha, Tabu Madam, and Duniya Vijay Sir. I also express my sincere thanks to Vishwa, VTV Ganesh, Brahmaji, and all the technicians who worked on this film.
The massive responsibility of taking this film to the audience lies in the hands of the media and press. I thank you in advance for the support you will provide in bringing our creation to the people.” “Once again, my thanks to everyone. Thank you,” she said.
Producer Charmme Kaur spoke as follows:
“I am delighted to meet all my media friends in Chennai again after so many years. The same place, the same faces, the same smiles. I still remember the days back in 2002 when I first came to Chennai for the film Kadhal Azhivathillai. I met media friends back then, and subsequently acted in many films.
“I have returned to Chennai with the film Slum Dog, but this time not as an actress—as a producer. We have produced several successful films under our banner, Puri Connects.
“Slum Dog has been crafted as a blend of action and emotion. You will witness very natural, realistic action sequences and emotions that resonate deeply with human lives.
“Vijay Sethupathi sir is, first and foremost, a brilliant actor; at the same time, he is a massive star. When a film requires both acting prowess and commercial appeal, he is an actor who perfectly balances the two. I extend my heartfelt thanks to him for joining this project. I assure you that we will release this film in a grand manner across the globe in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada.
“As for Tabu ma’am, she was the very first person we envisioned for this role. She appreciated not just her own character but the entire story, giving us great confidence. She has stood by us steadfastly to this day.
“Duniya Vijay sir plays the main antagonist in this film. He agreed to the project immediately after hearing the story and even adjusted his shooting schedules for us. We will always remain indebted to him for his cooperation and kindness.” “I still remember the moment I first met Samyuktha. We needed an actress with a very natural look and acting prowess for the role. Samyuktha brought the character to life beautifully; her natural acting and simple, down-to-earth appearance will certainly captivate the audience.”
“As for VTV Ganesh sir, just watching his videos on social media is enough to make one laugh. We felt he was the perfect choice for this role.
“Brahmaji also plays a key role in this film, and his contribution is significant.”
“A special thanks to our company’s CEO, Visu Reddy. He ensured that the director faced no pressure whatsoever on the film set.”
“…he oversaw every department simultaneously and played a pivotal role in crafting this film so excellently. No amount of gratitude is enough for his hard work.”
“My thanks go to JB Motion Pictures and the entire film crew for supporting this project. We are confident that ‘Slumdog – 33 Temple Road’ will greatly appeal to the audience. We hope to make you proud with this film,” he said.
Music composer Harshavardhan Rameshwar spoke as follows:
“I am delighted to be part of this event. First, my heartfelt thanks to Director Puri Jagannadh sir; he is the one who gave me this opportunity. He is a true legend. Initially, I felt a bit nervous and apprehensive about working with him, but the experience turned out to be truly joyful. I express my gratitude to him once again for this chance.
I also thank Charmme ma’am; she treated everyone with great warmth and simplicity. My thanks also go to Vijay Sethupathi sir and Sumitha ma’am.
There are six songs in this film, and each one has been created to offer a unique experience. It will be a pleasant surprise for the audience. Beyond the songs, we have also tried to bring innovation to the background score. My heartfelt thanks to everyone.”
Actor VTV Ganesh spoke as follows:
“The opportunity to act in this film came quite unexpectedly. One day, Puri Jagannadh sir called me. The first thing that came to my mind was ‘Pokkiri’. He is the director of the original version of that massive hit film starring the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He is a legendary director who has delivered numerous blockbuster hits. My manager had also told me a lot about him, so I had certain expectations when I went to meet him.” However, when I met him in person, I found him to be a very simple and gentle individual, devoid of any airs despite the massive success he has achieved as a director. Sitting and talking with him, as well as sharing a meal together, was a truly delightful experience.
In this film, I have played a unique character—unlike anything I have portrayed before. I cannot reveal details about the role just yet, but I thoroughly enjoyed playing it. I really appreciated the way Puri Sir gives actors complete creative freedom while working.
“I am a fan of Tabu Madam; I cannot forget the warmth and affection shown by her and her team. During the shoot in Hyderabad, in particular, the food she sent us every day was magnificent. She would send generous portions of various dishes like mutton, chicken, and pulao. The experience of acting alongside her was unforgettable; her warmth and hospitality deeply impressed me. It was one of the highlights that made the filming experience so pleasant.” “I was amazed by Vijay Sethupathi sir’s dedication right from the very first day of the shoot. He would write down his Telugu dialogues and memorize them. Instead of resting inside his caravan, he would sit outside, remaining fully focused on his work. Witnessing that level of dedication reminded me of the hard work and commitment of the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, with whom I had worked previously. I saw that same level of involvement and industriousness in Vijay Sethupathi sir.
That is precisely why he stands today as a successful actor on a pan-Indian level. Reaching such heights requires not just talent, but also hard work and patience. He is a perfect example of the fact that success comes only to those who work continuously while waiting for the right moment.
I believe that once this film is released, Telugu audiences, in particular, will celebrate his performance. Whether in Tamil or Telugu, he completely transforms into the character he portrays. Puri sir has crafted this film in a way that fully harnesses his talent.
Puri sir possesses the knack for extracting excellent performances from all the actors. At the same time, he operates with great discipline and professionalism on the set. He ensures that artists are called at the right time and that tasks are completed according to schedule. It is this professional approach that has established him at such a high level.
Although I played a small role in this film, I did so with great joy. Everyone in the crew—from the assistant directors to the technicians—worked with immense dedication. A massive investment has gone into this film; its quality is evident even in the teaser.
I wholeheartedly wish for the film ‘Slum Dog’ to achieve tremendous success. My appreciation and thanks go to everyone who worked on this project.” Actress Samyuktha said…
“Working with Puri Jagannadh sir was a unique experience. He has the ability to direct a scene with great simplicity while maintaining a stylish flair. Direction is an art, and he handles it so naturally. He possesses the talent to wrap up filming on schedule and bring out the best performances from the artists.
In this film…”
“Acting alongside Vijay Sethupathi sir was a truly delightful experience. I am a fan of his; while audiences usually see only the character on screen, as a co-star, I witnessed firsthand the amazing journey of an actor transforming into a character. Vijay Sethupathi sir portrays that transformation beautifully. Working with him was an unforgettable experience; he is a very kind and humble person.
Regarding music composer Harshavardhan Rameshwar, the songs he has created are fantastic. The tracks I’ve heard so far have already made a huge impact, and I believe fans will celebrate the entire album.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to our producers and Charmme ma’am. They invested not just money in this film, but also their time, emotions, and total dedication. Charmme ma’am, in particular, was directly involved in every aspect of the production. She always ensured that everyone on the set was happy; her hospitality and warm approach won everyone over.
I also want to thank JP sir and the entire production team. I believe the audience will love this movie. I just watched the teaser myself and am eager to see the full film.
Furthermore, I witnessed firsthand the massive fan base Puri Jagannadh sir commands. People would wait to take photos with him after the shoot wrapped up; I’ve seen fans celebrating him and his name. The brand value he has built as a director is a testament to his success. I am very excited to watch the entire movie on the big screen. Thank you, everyone.”
Director Puri Jagannadh said:
“I am very happy to meet my friends from the Tamil media.” ‘Slumdog – 33 Temple Road’ is my first direct Tamil film. I would like to begin by thanking Vijay Sethupathi sir for giving me this opportunity.
As a director, it is a matter of great pride for me that a talented actor like Vijay Sethupathi placed his trust in me and joined this project. What struck me most about him was his simplicity; he is always a very natural and down-to-earth person. He would arrive on the set every day with the enthusiasm of a newcomer. There wasn’t a trace of arrogance in his acting. These qualities really impressed me. In this film, fans will see a different, powerful side of Vijay Sethupathi that they haven’t witnessed before.
I worked with Samyuktha for the first time; she is a very energetic person. Fans will love the character she portrays in this film. Similarly, VTV Ganesh sir always kept the atmosphere on set lively; wherever he was, there were smiles on everyone’s faces. He is a very positive person.
Duniya Vijay, a leading star of the Kannada film industry, plays a pivotal villainous role in this movie. His contribution has been a tremendous asset to the film. Zarina Wahab also plays a crucial role as the mother; watching her performance in certain scenes brought tears to my eyes.
All the actors, including Brahmaji and Rohan, have done complete justice to their roles. The credit for the film’s casting goes entirely to Charmme Kaur; she assembled an excellent cast for this project.
My thanks go to the producers, JP Narayana Rao and Mahendra Rao. Although they are newcomers to the film industry, they worked with great dedication on this project. Furthermore, music composer Harshavardhan Rameshwar has delivered wonderful songs and a brilliant background score. It is not just the songs, but the background music too that will amaze the audience. “The story of the film ‘Slumdog’ is based on two real-life incidents. In our daily lives, we often pass by many beggars, yet we remain largely unaware of the lives, emotions, and stories that lie behind them. This film has been crafted as an emotional narrative centered on the world of these individuals.
It is not merely an action movie; it is a film rich in emotion. We have created this movie specifically for today’s youth and family audiences. I urge everyone to come to the theaters with their families to watch it. Thank you.”
Actor Vijay Sethupathi said:
“I am delighted to meet all the friends from the media gathered here. Everyone on the film crew shared their thoughts about the movie and their experiences so beautifully; it was a pleasure to listen to them.
First, I must speak about Duniya Vijay sir. I was surprised when I learned he was playing the villain in this film. I have been following his work for a long time; he is a massive star in Kannada cinema…”
However, on the set, he was a very disciplined and dedicated actor. He would listen carefully to the director and fully prepare himself for the role. He is a wonderful human being and an amazing actor; I am proud to have worked with him.
My thanks to VTV Ganesh sir. My initial impression of him was different, but after acting alongside him, I gained a deeper understanding of his acting prowess. He was always keen on finding ways to make a scene even better. He is a fantastic artist who brings joy to everyone, both on set and on screen; his presence always creates an energetic atmosphere.
Thanks to Samyuktha. She is a highly talented and intelligent actress. She has the ability to quickly grasp a character and portray it with great natural ease. Her effort and dedication to the film are commendable. The way she spoke on stage today was also truly wonderful.
Music director Harshavardhan Rameshwar’s music will be a major strength for this film. I have only heard the music for the teaser so far, and it was excellent. I believe the film’s complete soundtrack will greatly captivate the audience.
“First, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Charmme ma’am. No matter what challenges arose on set, she handled them with great composure and determination. She acted not merely as a producer but as someone deeply invested in the entire film. Her focus was always on what the director needed and how to execute it to perfection. She played a pivotal role in the quality of the film you are about to see on screen today. I deeply respect her determination and dedication.” “Puri Jagannadh sir is a legend. His cinematic journey and life experiences are truly inspiring. He has been writing continuously for years; the moment he finishes one story, he immediately starts thinking about the next. Even during the shoot of this film, he shared several stories with me, and each one was unique and fascinating.”
“His clarity in crafting a scene and translating it onto the screen is remarkable. He knows exactly what he wants—what should be in a frame and to what extent. Working with such a director gives an actor a great sense of confidence and security; he always instills the belief that ‘you are in safe hands.’”
“The film is built on a very strong story. It encompasses action, emotions, and human relationships. I believe ‘Slum Dog’ will stand out as one of Puri Jagannadh sir’s best films. His dedication, confidence, and hard work are clearly evident in this project.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of acting in this film. The trust and understanding that developed between the director and the actor were beautifully established here. I hold Puri sir in high regard and have great affection for him; working with him was an unforgettable experience.”
“I am confident that ‘Slum Dog’ will appeal to audiences across all languages. I extend my gratitude to Director Puri Jagannadh sir, the producers, the technical crew, and all the actors who worked on this film.”
Samyuktha stars as the female lead alongside Vijay Sethupathi, while actress Tabu and Kannada star Duniya Vijay play pivotal roles. Additionally, actors like Brahmaji and VTV Ganesh appear in significant roles.
National Award-winning music composer Harshavardhan Rameshwar has composed the music for the film. Produced by Puri Jagannadh and Charmme Kaur under the banner of Puri Connects, this film has been made in association with JB Motion Pictures.
The film “Slumdog” is set for a pan-India release in five languages: Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi.