In an unique interview, STR and GVM speak about collaborating for a 3rd time with ‘VTK,’ shifting out of their consolation zones, and their respective 20-year journeys within the movie business
In an unique interview, STR and GVM speak about collaborating for a 3rd time with ‘VTK,’ shifting out of their consolation zones, and their respective 20-year journeys within the movie business
They are again. Six years after Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada (2016) and 12 years after Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010), Gautham Vasudev Menon and Silambarasan TR be part of forces once more for Vendhu Thanindhathu KaaduPart 1: The Kindling.
In a marked departure from their earlier initiatives collectively (in addition to the pandemic quick Karthik Dial Seytha Yenn), the filmmaker-actor combo brings us a “low-lying gangster film” revolving round a village teenager Muthu — sure, Simbu does play a 19-year-old — journeying to the massive metropolis and getting embroiled in a collection of occasions that turns his life upside-down.
VTK additionally sees Gautham companion with acclaimed author B Jeyamohan; the movie was born out of a brief story written by the latter, in an uncommon collaboration that everybody within the business — in addition to the viewers — now anticipate with curiosity.
But again to the GVM-STR relationship; Gautham debuted with Minnale in 2001 and (an grownup) Simbu with Okay adhal Azhivathillai in 2002. Their 20 year-long careers have traversed remarkably comparable paths of glory and frustration since then, pockmarked with blockbuster successes and floundering misfires in equal measure.
What has remained fixed although, is the eye and attract that each of them command from the general public; neither is much away from the headlines, controversy, or certainly, fandom. And if their simple bromance in particular person is something to go by, VTK might simply be the most recent in a fledgling line of future associations to count on from the duo. Produced by Ishari Okay. Ganesh of Vels Film International, the film additionally stars Raadhika Sarathkumar, Siddhi Idnani and Neeraj Madhav, with a theatrical launch set for September 15.
Excerpts from an unique interview:
We know Gautham Menon as a director who does lovely love tales and funky motion sequences. But the primary look of ‘VTK’ was starkly completely different. With this, are you shifting out of your consolation zone?
Gautham: To shoot a love story like Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya was really tougher. Or Vaaranam Aayiram, after we recreated moments that occurred in my life. The most tough factor to do was taking pictures that funeral scene when Suriya is mendacity down, the place my father was in actual life. To relive that emotion was tough, and there was no consolation zone about it.
Gautham on the units of ‘Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu’
But I cherished doing VTK and felt one with it; once I learn Jeyamohan’s quick story that had an open ending, I wished to know the place it was going. I questioned if it might go into the area of a gangster story that we haven’t seen a lot of in Tamil cinema. Jeyamohan sir initially talked about that this may very well be completed solely by a newcomer and never a star with a mass picture. There was no query of doing it with Simbu again then, however he (Simbu) was kicked concerning the concept and mentioned that he’d work on it.
I loved the method. In my 20 years of labor, I’ve narrated many tales, primarily from my very own life; the truth is, each Karthik and Jessie, the primary characters of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya, are primarily based on me. But now, I wish to foray into newer areas and VTK is the start of that.
Simbu, you will have performed many city characters earlier than. But how did you put together your self for turning into Muthu in ‘VTK’?
Simbu: While enjoying Muthu, I consciously reminded myself that I used to be not Simbu. My physique language, strolling model and weight needed to be modified. Even by the top of the movie, when he really will get to don a coat and swimsuit, it’s nonetheless not Simbu however a remodeled Muthu that you just’ll see on-screen.
The trailer provides us ‘KGF’ vibes, particularly Muthu’s ultimate look…
Gautham: The KGF movies had been spectacular little doubt, they usually created a incredible new world for us. But it’s not one thing we will relate to, not like Vendhu.. which is ready in a really actual setting that everyone knows of. Simbu was taking up a brand new search for one other movie (the bearded avatar), so we determined to run with it, that’s all. We aren’t making an attempt to ape KGF neither is the movie primarily based on the same narrative.
GVM and Simbu in the course of the shoot of the movie
The romance angle in ‘VTK’ was not there within the unique story; why did you’re feeling the necessity to embrace it?
Gautham: Jeyamohan sir’s story had the area for that; within the unique narrative, Muthu meets a girl, however the story doesn’t take it ahead. I used the set-ups within the story to write down some romantic scenes, which features a track. Jeyamohan and I by no means spoke concerning the physique language of Muthu, however Simbu selected to play him in a sure method, which I completely cherished. He additionally picked up these mannerisms from somebody in actual life, which we gained’t speak about now. We packaged that with sure inputs I gave, like how some boys from the south have this observe of wiping their palms inside their pockets after consuming, which is one thing I noticed from a few of my college-mates in Keeranur (close to Tiruchi).
Over twenty years, each of you will have witnessed excessive highs within the first few years, and a interval of battle and evolution within the later levels. Would you say it’s shared empathy that sees you perceive one another so effectively?
Simbu: We hold desirous to collaborate on a regular basis. But, stagnation occurs. Financial points, well being issues, life on the whole… get in the best way. But I hope Maanaadu was a solution to everybody who questioned me. With Vendhu.. I’m genuinely making an attempt one thing completely different, to the purpose the place its success — or failure — gained’t have an effect on us. Everyone talks about belling the cat, however it’s vital who tries it first ( smiles).
Graphic: Albert Francis
Having mentioned that, we’re each individuals who transfer on in a short time from setbacks. I feel that’s what has solid the most important connection between us. We by no means dwell on the previous; we hold shifting ahead.
Gautham: We are very respectful of one another’s area, and that’s actually nurtured the friendship in addition to our working affiliation. But he’s only a cellphone name away; that’s actually how Karthik Dial Seytha Yenn occurred throughout COVID. It’s an easy relationship I’ve with Simbu, and I by no means must assume twice about reaching out to him.
Tell us about your working course of collectively, and the way has it modified since Gautham the director additionally grew to become an actor?
Simbu: There’s a really comfy give-and-take course of between us as director and actor. Some filmmakers are fairly strict and I’ve to work inside their restrictions. But with Gautham, he provides me a temper and setting, then lets me take over and provides my inputs as effectively.
Him turning into an actor has really added one other aspect to his character as a director now! I’ve all the time loved seeing him act and explaining scenes to me on set; some parts actually come throughout effectively, and I fortunately mimic him for these scenes. Now, watching him on-screen really fills me with pleasure. I cherished his function in FIR as an NIA advisor; I felt the casting was so spot-on. Sometimes, we see miscast actors look awkward in these “official” sorts of roles, however Gautham has a sure believability to him, in how he carries himself in relation to such characters.
Gautham: I’ve all the time identified what a performer Simbu is, however he actually has developed extra as an actor now. I don’t know if it’s the age or the entire ‘Atman’ philosophy, however I can see the distinction. You won’t ever see the Simbu of yore in VTK, besides for only one tiny second the place Muthu will remind you of Karthik from Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa. It occurred unintentionally, however I made a decision to maintain it. Maybe only for myself. ( grins).
Simbu and Gautham Vasudev Menon in dialog
| Photo Credit: VELANKANNI RAJ
He’s additionally very intuitive as an individual; he is aware of precisely what individuals will say and the way responses might be. He even predicted the response to the voiceovers within the Vendhu… trailer completely! As for my different initiatives with him — VTV 2, Ondraga and Nadhigalilae.. — I actually wish to see Simbu in that romantic drama area once more, and I’m positive he’d be completely satisfied to do it.
Gautham, you will have this knack of getting lyrically-eloquent movie titles. How do you resist the temptation to draw back from industrial ones? For occasion, ‘Accham Enbadhu Madamayada’ might simply have been titled ‘Rajinikanth’ and ‘VTK’ as ‘Muthu’…
Gautham: Room pottu yosikamaten (laughs). It simply involves me in a whiff of contemporary air. Just two individuals have to be satisfied of it; the hero and the producer. I’m fortunate that additionally they cherished it as a lot as I did.
Simbu, you appear to have matured over time. But it’s additionally intriguing how, after twenty years, your private life nonetheless generates a lot consideration. Looking again at your profession, would you name your self a misunderstood particular person?
Simbu: I feel everyone seems to be misunderstood. When we see somebody, we’re fast to guage them. But solely after we work together and get to know them higher, can we perceive them. But I suppose I’ve been misunderstood greater than others.
Simbu and Siddhi Idnani in a nonetheless from ‘Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu’
All the drama my private life attracts… perhaps that’s why I’m nonetheless thought of a star? Maybe that’s why Maanaadu labored on the extent it did. I take it as a optimistic factor. Something Buddha mentioned all the time sticks to me; while you obtain one thing (criticism) from somebody, then it turns into yours. But in the event you reject it, it stays with them. You perceive? That’s what I observe nowadays, and it’s a strong philosophy to reside with. For me to truly imbibe this into my life although, that took time and area.
Gautham, clearly, your collaboration with Jeymohan has excited you. Can we see you’re employed with him extra going ahead?
Gautham: I’m in love with the person and his course of. VTK originated from a brief story he wrote, after which we charted the screenplay collectively. We explored a complete gamut of subjects in our conversations — from how the drug market operates to land-grabbing points — and eventually got here up with a superb plot. He’s so prolific as a author, that I have already got 4 different plot factors and concepts from him for future movies.
I additionally didn’t wish to dub VTK in different languages; it could really feel so synthetic watching a Tamil boy going to Mumbai converse in Hindi or Malayalam, don’t you assume? Though the trailers have voice-overs in numerous languages, I really feel a rooted Tamil movie is finest watched in Tamil, and with subtitles for many who don’t perceive it. That is my definition of pan-Indian.
Would you name ‘VTK’ your second coming of types in filmdom, then?
Gautham: Jeyamohan sir advised me {that a} director stands out solely when he makes one thing out of his consolation zone, and that I’ve achieved that with Vendhu… I need this to be referred to as a cult movie as I’ve labored actually laborious on it. From holding it technically distinctive and the digicam motion staging, to the epic single shot sequences that chart the transformation of the lead character, we’ve made the visualisation of the script edgy and completely different.
Gautham: “Muthu is not a mass hero or trained assassin, he is just a raw young guy coming to terms with his circumstances”
Even the motion sequences are as actual as doable; Muthu is just not a mass hero or educated murderer, he’s only a uncooked younger man coming to phrases along with his circumstances, and he reacts precisely how anybody in his place would.
This may come throughout as fairly an elitist analogy, however you understand how fragrance shops give you espresso beans to reset your sense of scent whilst you attempt on varied fragrances? VTK is that espresso bean, so to talk; a palate cleanser expertise that can set my subsequent 4 movies in movement.
You have continually spoken about having a number of concepts for extra slice-of-life romantic dramas. Do you see your self making a full-fledged web-series from one in every of them?
Gautham: Yes, positively. Bollywood is doing their tackle The Archies, perhaps we should always do our model of FRIENDS now, eh? ( laughs) It’s a reality now that theatrical releases co-exist with streaming, and I’m straddling each worlds, as knowledgeable working in these areas and as an viewers.
I not too long ago narrated one thing actually fascinating to a feminine lead star; an experimental movie in a Vicky Donor + Rajkumar Hirani zone, and he or she advised me she will be able to’t see me making it work. That has now spurred me to take it up as a problem! But there’s additionally a rom-com collection we’ve pitched to the streamers not too long ago.
Finally, Simbu, your new sobriquet is ‘Atman’. What precisely does it imply?
Simbu: Basically, it implies that we’re not who our physique presents us to be; in any case, the physique is only a mere conduit for our soul to exist in a bodily realm. The soul or atma, that’s the actual essence of who an individual actually is. The undeniable fact that my title is Simbu, and that I’m a Tamilian, Hindu, Indian… Atman is eradicating all these labels utterly and being stripped right down to the naked essence of who we’re.
On track with Simbu
Simbu: I’ve sung a observe in VTK; the melody quantity Kaalathuku Nee Vendhum. I modified my singing model to swimsuit the observe’s melody sample. Initially, we recorded a couple of takes with the sound engineers, and it wasn’t figuring out effectively. Subsequently, A.R. Rahman sir, who was in Dubai, guided me over a video name and the track was accomplished inside 10 minutes. He actually is aware of how you can extract the soul of a track from a singer.
Up subsequent for GVM
Gautham: Going by the response to VTK, we are going to begin engaged on its sequel quickly. I even have Vikram’s Dhruva Natchathiram up for launch, hopefully in December. The second season of Queen is within the works too; I’ve already shot a couple of episodes. We have additionally acquired the remake rights for a few fashionable Malayalam and Kannada movies.
In addition to this, Jeyamohan sir has labored with me on the script for Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu 2, and Kamal sir has heard it as effectively. I’m hopeful that the undertaking will materialise quickly, particularly after the success of Vikram, which actually was validation for Kamal sir after 50 years of labor.
Source: www.thehindu.com