Elated by the reception for the movie ‘Hi’ – The film crew meets and thanks the press and media!
The film ‘Hi’, starring Nayanthara and Kavin together for the first time, was released in theaters on August 28th. It has garnered immense praise from both fans and critics and is enjoying a successful theatrical run. To express their gratitude for the reception and support the film has received, the crew met with members of the press and media.
The actors, actresses, and technical crew involved in the film participated in this meeting and shared their happiness regarding the warm reception ‘Hi’ has received from the audience.
At the event…
Producer S.S. Lalitkumar said,
“First, my heartfelt thanks to all our friends in the press and media. Without you, it would be impossible to effectively take any film to the public. Thank you very much for the continued support you have shown for ‘Hi’. When we were making this film, many asked why I was producing a movie like this after having produced big-budget films. We produced this movie with the sole intention of offering a good story and a quality film to the audience. The reception it is receiving today brings me great joy.”
“I share a very close bond with everyone on this stage. In particular, I cannot forget the affection Prabhu Sir showed during the shoot. Even before I arrived for the shoot in Thoothukudi, he contacted me and affectionately said, ‘Thambi (younger brother), don’t eat anything; I am bringing food from home, and you must eat with me.’ I am deeply grateful for that affection and love he showed without expecting anything in return. I have argued with him about many things, yet the love within our relationship remains paramount.” “I share a bond akin to family with Philo. I have worked with him on four films so far, so there is a special closeness when speaking about him. I extend my gratitude to all the actors and technicians who worked on this film; everyone’s contribution was vital to this success,” he said.
“Vishnu has a truly unique way of storytelling. When he narrates a story, one can fully experience the emotions within it. That emotional resonance captivated me the moment he first told me the story. It brings me great joy to see that story transformed into a fine film and presented to the audience today. My heartfelt thanks go to Vishnu and to all the actors and technicians who worked on this project,” he said.
Cinematographer Rajesh Shukla said:
“Thank you, everyone. I am grateful for the love and care shown to me throughout the shoot, as well as for the excellent food and gifts. I thank the film crew for giving me the opportunity to work on this movie. Working with director Vishnu was a delightful experience. When he first narrated the story to me, I was confident he would create an exceptional film, and I am happy to see that belief become a reality today. I affectionately call Vishnu ‘Thalapathy.’ My thanks to everyone for this opportunity and for the crew’s affection.”
Music composer Jen Martin said:
“Thank you, everyone. This is my fourth film working with director Vishnu and actor Kavin. Kavin is a friend from my school days. It brings me immense joy to look back at the time when we used to say, ‘You will become an actor, and I will become a music composer,’ and to see where we stand today. I feel as though our dream has come true. It gives me great happiness that this film has achieved such success.” “Since this is my fourth film with Kavin, I hope I have lived up to the trust he placed in me, at least to some extent. I also hope the audience will love the film’s music. Thank you all once again,” she said.
Speaking on the occasion, actress Amrutha Srinivasan said:
“I didn’t expect to be invited to the stage to speak. My thanks to all the friends from the media. It is a matter of great joy and pride for me to stand in the presence of veteran artists like Prabhu sir, Radhika ma’am, and Suhasini ma’am. ‘Hi’ is truly a beautiful, feel-good movie. These are the kinds of films that Tamil cinema audiences eagerly look forward to and enjoy. A complete film like this can only be created when the teams behind the music, editing, direction, and story all come together and contribute. Director Vishnu has crafted every single frame with great care and beauty. Watching the film left me with a very happy feeling, and I hope the audience will have the same experience. I hope fans will continue to support the film in the coming weeks as well.”
…My heartfelt thanks go to the entire film crew—including Lalit Sir, Philomin Raj Sir, and Jen Martin Sir—for creating such an excellent film,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, actor Qureshi said:
“I have often served as an anchor at various events, welcoming actors to the stage. However, standing here today as an actor myself brings me immense joy. I thank the film crew for placing their trust in me and giving me the opportunity to play the role of a friend in this movie. I am especially grateful to Kavin Anna. Director Vishnu is a wonderful person; he possesses the ability to overcome any challenge—be it rain, storms, or floods—and turn it into a success. It was a pleasure working with him on this journey.
Working alongside veteran artists like Prabhu Sir and Radhika Madam was an unforgettable experience. Prabhu Sir, in particular, treated me with such natural warmth and kindness. He never made me feel awkward as a newcomer; instead, he would initiate conversations and kindly check in on me. The moments shared with him are truly unforgettable. I had previously worked with Radhika Madam on a show, and sharing the screen with her in this film was a delightful experience. She is a very lively person and has a knack for making us laugh with her playful teasing.
It was also a pleasure working with the rest of the crew, including music composer Jen Martin. I extend my gratitude to everyone involved in the film. I aspire to act in many more movies in the future. I believe I have a lot of untapped potential, so I hope to receive continued support and opportunities,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, actress Kavya said:
“I am delighted by the love and reception the film ‘Hi’ has received from the audience. Standing on this stage today is a truly cherished moment for me.” “During my college days, I used to look up to Radhika Ma’am and dream of becoming a great actress like her. Sharing the screen with her today feels like a dream come true. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the film crew for trusting me with the role of ‘Maithili’ and to the fans for the love they have shown towards the character. This is just the beginning of my journey; I hope to play more great roles and continue to earn the love of the audience,” she said.
Director Vishnu Edavan said:
“Since ‘Hi’ is my debut film, standing here as a director is a moment of immense joy for me. I am deeply grateful to everyone who gave me this opportunity and placed their trust in me to make this film. I will always be indebted to those who helped me gain recognition early in my cinematic journey and to those who consistently encouraged and supported me.
Every artist in this film placed their faith in me and extended their full cooperation. From veteran actors to the younger ones, everyone brought their characters to life brilliantly. My heartfelt thanks go to Sathyan Sir, Qureshi, Akshay Kumar, Amrutha, Kavya, and the entire cast. It is a matter of great pride for me to have worked with such talented actors on my very first film.
My friendship with music composer Jen Martin goes back to our school days. Even back then, we used to talk about how I would become a director and he would become a music composer. It brings me immense, emotional joy that he has composed the music for my debut film. Similarly, the technical crew—including cinematographer Rajesh Shukla and editor Philomin Raj—were a tremendous strength for this film. Without their contributions, I would have been lost.” “My heartfelt thanks go to the producers—Vignesh Shivan, Nayanthara, S.S. Lalitkumar, and the entire production team—for giving me this opportunity, placing their trust in me, and standing firmly behind this film. From the start of filming until its successful release, many people supported me in various ways. This success does not belong to me alone; it belongs to everyone who believed in me and joined this journey. My sincere thanks to all of them,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, actress Radhika Sarathkumar said, “First, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire film crew. In the current climate, a film’s successful run is a significant challenge. I appreciate the team for creating this movie amidst various challenges, taking it to the audience, and achieving success. It is heartening to see Director Vishnu achieve this success after overcoming many hurdles.”
“Although I haven’t watched the movie yet, many who have seen it have said they thoroughly enjoyed it and found it to be an emotional experience. Working with Bhagyaraj sir was a delightful experience; while he is humorous and friendly, he also offers excellent advice drawn from his vast experience. Similarly, Prabhu sir is a co-actor I admire greatly. His family’s hospitality and his passion for cinema…”
[03/09, 12:34] Flowing Fizz: “…love is always special,” she said.
“When I watched Kavin’s film Dada, I felt he had a bright future ahead of him. I wish him the best for the success of the film Hi and for his journey. I also extend my congratulations to Vishnu on his success and the start of a new chapter in his life. Furthermore, I am delighted by the success achieved by Vignesh Shivan and Nayanthara. Although Nayanthara appears gentle on the outside, she is incredibly strong—both mentally and physically. Once again, my heartfelt congratulations to the entire film crew on this success,” she said.
Speaking on the occasion, actress Suhasini said:
“Even though I had only one scene in the film Hi, I truly enjoyed working on it. My heartfelt congratulations to director Vishnu; this is just the beginning of his journey. He may have faced numerous challenges early on, but I wish for him to overcome them all and continue his journey with even greater happiness.”
She added, “Everyone worked incredibly hard on this film, and it is a joy to see that hard work pay off today. For the past two days, I have heard nothing but praise for Hi. You all deserve this success. Such joyful moments are rare in life, so celebrate this victory to the fullest. My heartfelt congratulations to the entire team.”
Actor Prabhu said:
“The team behind Hi is wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working with everyone on this film. I thank director Vishnu for offering me a great role and the opportunity to be part of this project. My gratitude also goes to producer Lalit Kumar and to Nayanthara for inviting me to be involved. The atmosphere throughout the shoot was delightful, and the moments shared with Bhagyaraj sir were truly memorable.”
“Kavin has delivered an outstanding performance in this film.” “He possesses immense talent and the strength to build a bright future; he must continue to grow and excel. Jen Martin’s music has also been a tremendous asset to the film. Everyone in the crew has done an outstanding job. It is truly heartening to see the positive reviews and reception that ‘Hi’ is receiving.”
He added, “The entire team worked incredibly hard. Vishnu, in particular, faced numerous challenges during the shoot—there were moments of laughter and moments of high pressure. Seeing him happy today, thanks to this success, brings me great joy. Our friends in the press and media have also consistently supported the film. I hope ‘Hi’ goes on to achieve even greater success with this momentum. Once again, my thanks to everyone who worked on this film.”
Speaking on the occasion, actor Kavin said…
“First of all, a huge thank you to everyone. The support you have shown for ‘Hi’—a film released at the very end of the month—has left us feeling both surprised and delighted. Given the recent string of successful film releases, we were a bit anxious about how the audience would receive ‘Hi’. However, visiting theaters across various towns now, I can see fans enthusiastically enjoying the movie. For that, I offer my heartfelt thanks.
As a new month begins—after you’ve taken care of your family’s essential expenses—if you choose to spend the time and money set aside for entertainment on ‘Hi’ this weekend, I can confidently say you will leave with a truly happy heart. Seeing audiences laugh, rejoice, and get emotional during certain scenes gives us the satisfaction of knowing we achieved what we set out to do. We crafted this film to be simple, beautiful, and entertaining—designed so that families can sit together, forget their worries, and simply enjoy the experience.” Director Vishnu’s journey has been truly remarkable. People often say that a person’s life changes only after a film succeeds; however, the journey of the movie ‘Hi’ and Vishnu’s personal life journey unfolded in tandem. Preparations for his wedding were underway right around the time the film began. While shooting was in progress on one hand, he was simultaneously preparing for a pivotal chapter in his personal life. Although the filming—which started off at a rapid pace—turned into a long, drawn-out journey due to various reasons, it is a joy to see the film succeed and for everyone to celebrate together today.
I have always believed that the journey towards a goal is more important than reaching the goal itself. Whether a film succeeds or fails is merely a single phase. Ultimately, the people we meet, those who stand by us, and those who offer their support during that journey constitute the true strength that stays with us for a lifetime. In that sense, the journey of the film ‘Hi’ was a beautiful experience for me.