Director Magizh Thirumeni who got noticed with his debut film Mun Dhinam Parthene is ready with his second offering Thadayara Thaakka with Arun Vijay in the lead. The film is ready for release and in an exclusive chat session with Senior Editor Jyothsna Bhavanishankar, Magizh Thirumeni shares his experiences on Thadayara Thaakka, its making, Arun Vijay, Mamta Mohandas and a myriad other topics associated with the film. |
Title Thadayara Thaakka
The phrase Thadayara Thaakka is taken from Kanda Sashti Kavacham. It’s a phrase pleading to Lord Muruga to thwart all the obstacles. The main theme of the film is about an ordinary man, getting caught in a maze of problem due to extraordinary circumstances, and how he gets out of this sticky situation. This title was an apt one and I have always been fascinated by this title. I feel it is a powerful phrase.
When I was working with Gautham Menon, we were discussing this title for Vettaiyaadu Vilayaadu. Generally Gautham Menon will ask his assistant directors for titles for his scripts and I had suggested this then. Gautham too liked this but somehow we could not use it then. However this title stayed with me for a long time and when I had readied the script, I felt this suited the script very well.
On the other hand, hero Arun Vijay has a sentiment connected with Lord Muruga. Hence people asked me if the title had any connection with that sentiment but it is not like that. Although we tried a few, but this title kept coming and we finalized this. Thadayara Thaakka is a powerful title and as it kept getting said aloud, it has become more powerful and has caught on with the public too.
Genre of Thadayara Thaakka
It is an action thriller but it is not a pure action thriller. We have blended a couple of genres. There are many types of thrillers like action thriller, legal thriller, psychological thriller, medical thriller and so on. This is an action thriller with an element of suspense. You will be seeing it soon. Hope you would like it.
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Thadayara Thaakka is an action thriller with an element of suspense
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How was Thadayara Thaakka conceived?
The idea was conceived once when I was bedridden with viral fever. When an idea is very good and simmers for a long time, it kind of grows on you and the characters come to life and become powerful. That’s how the characters and the story took shape seven years ago.
Why did you choose Arun Vijay?
When I had completed the story, I was looking for someone who can carry off this character and my story; someone who would be apt for this kind of action genre, I was looking for a hero with a boy next door looks and demeanor. My film has humor, romance and all the ingredients of a commercial entertainer. I was scouting for a hero who would fit all these aspects. Arun Vijay was also looking out for a suitable script and we got introduced through a mutual friend. I narrated the story to him and the producers. That’s how Arun Vijay came on board.
Arun Vijay was a pleasant challenge
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It is said that TT is going to give an image make-over for Arun Vijay. Is it true?
When I decided on Arun Vijay, I was clear about a few things. For one, I did not want the film to be anything like his earlier films. It should be something that shows him in a different light. Arun Vijay was a pleasant challenge. It is a sweet experience for any director to extract work from artists. Arun Vijay is a talented performer and has a tremendous potential. His ability has not been brought out till date and I would say that his multi-faceted potential has not been explored. I was really happy working with him.
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I told him in the beginning itself that we are going to change the way he walks, talks and also his body language. We have also changed his voice. You will see a fresh, natural and a different Arun Vijay in Thadayara Thaakka. Arun Vijay’s performance will be talked about in my film and he is certain to earn himself a good name.
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You will see a fresh, natural and a different Arun Vijay in Thadayara Thaakka
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Why is Arun Vijay left handed in TT?
It is a good question and it has an important significance in the film. There is a specific and a relevant reason and if I talk about it now, it would be like revealing the suspense.
Mamta is going to rule the dreams of youths for some time
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Mamta Mohandas
Mamta has acted in Sivappathigaaram and Guru En Aalu in Tamil and she is a first rung artist in Telugu and Malayalam industry. Not many know that she is a cancer survivor. She has courageously faced the disease and has come out of it. I liked that sprit of hers. We were looking out for a heroine who looks bubbly and can act well. The heroin search was a long drawn process.
Mamta was first on our list but we heard that she was not interested in taking up new offers. Later when I met her she told that she was open to good roles. When I narrated the script to her, she loved it and agreed to be on board. She has given a fantastic performance. Mamta is a director’s artist. I can confidently say that Mamta is going to rule the dreams of youths for some time. I told Arun and Mamta that they may have done many movies earlier in their career but they look their best only in Thadayara Thaakka.
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Villains Vamsi Krishna and Maha Gandhi
There are two villains Vamsi Krishna and Maha Gandhi in TT. Both of them are from Telugu and are new to Tamil. Both are very scary fellows and are sure to come one big round in Tamil and Telugu. Vamsi has done a few films in Telugu and we are introducing him in Tamil. Maha Gandhi has no film background and he has scared the hell out of everyone through his performance.
Cinematographer Sukumar
Sukumar has done many films but Myna took him to a different league. I know Sukumar from the days when he was a still photographer. His growth as a cameraman is noteworthy. As far as TT is concerned, I was clear as to what I wanted in terms of tone and I had conveyed the same to Sukumar. I felt very comfortable with Sukumar because he imbibed the story and understood my requirements and catered to it. Sukumar worked in tandem with the script. I can very surely say that Thadayara Thaakka will elevate Sukumar to the next higher level. And I am happy for him.
Thaman’s music
Thaman is my friend and this is my second film with him. I have a good camaraderie with Thaman. He understands what kind of music I want or the script requires. Today Thaman is ruling the roost in Telugu industry and has worked with all the top ranking artists there but he is still open to suggestions. When he saw the film, he was happy and it was Thaman who first spread the good word about the film. He has given excellent tunes for TT and he is surely going to be spoken for his RR also in TT. Cinema can be communicated through script, cinematography or editing but in TT we have conveyed the story through music. In that way I am happy for Thaman as he has reached a new level in music in TT. I am happy for you Thaman and proud of you.
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I have a good camaraderie with Thaman
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Editors Praveen and Srikanth
Praveen and Srikanth who were bestowed with national awards recently have edited TT too. It is a pleasure to work with friends. They are cool, casual but hard working. They shared my ideas about how the story should be narrated, carried them over, and enhanced them. In that way, Thadayara Thaakka is indebted to Praveen and Srikanth. I am really happy with their work. Thanks guys!
Did Gautham Menon see TT?
No, not yet. I will definitely screen it for him and I hope he likes it.
We heard that TT was appreciated by many in the industry. Can you tell us something about it?
It is true. A core group has seen the film. For any film the first talk will emerge from the technicians’ group like the editor’s group, musician’s group, from the DI side, sound effects side. Industry will have a keen ear for this. The group that has seen the double positive is impressed and that’s how the good talk about TT has come into play. I am really indebted to them.
Producer
My producer has already made 2 big budget films like Malai Malai and Maanja Velu and this is the 3rd film for his company. I can never forget my first meeting with my producer. I will always cherish it. He is also very happy with the film. The biggest reward for a director is when the producer appreciates his film. I am very happy that I was able to complete the film within the budget and the duration that I had specified.
Stunts will be a major highlight in Thadayara Thaakka
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Fight choreography and other technical crew
I would like to talk about another key technician, my friend fight master Anal Arasu. I know him from Khakka Khakka days. He was assisting Peter Hein and I was assisting Gautham Menon. The fire in him was very evident to everyone around that he is going to scale greater heights in stunt choreography. His rise has been meteoric and he has worked with leading artists. As for Thadayara Thaakka, stunts will be a major highlight. Not only as a director but also as a layman and an audience, Anal Arasu’s stunts have astounded and impressed me. The stunts in TT are going to be a feather in Anal Arasu’s cap.
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Art director Mohana Mahendran
I got to know him only in TT. He is well known in the industry and is a living legend. He has achieved so much but is such a down-to-earth person. More than a technician, he has travelled with me in this film as a friend. He was a big support and you will appreciate his work when you see the film. You will not be able to differentiate between live locations and sets in TT. His work will be in line with the script unobtrusively not overstepping the story anywhere at the same time enhancing it all the way.
Other technical crew that I want to thank
Arun Cheenu responsible for sound effects has worked with so much of enthusiasm. I have always sought out for realistic sounds and I am fortunate to have had an understanding technician in Arun Cheenu whose work has been a major plus for TT.
Four Frames Udaykumar who is the Sound Engineer in the final mix is well known in the industry and a first rate technician. I can very proudly say that Udhaykumar is my biggest support and so is Dubbing Engineer Mani
All these technicians, have enjoyed the film beyond their work
Madhan Karky
As I had earlier said, when we work with friends, the experience is one of the best. And Karky definitely is in the list of my friends. He had become a celebrity before I met him. He had penned lyrics for Shankar sir, for superstar’s film and he was already a winner. But despite all that he is such a down-to-earth person and would churn out lyrics how many ever times I asked him for. He is such an enthusiastic person. I can never forget Karky, he has written beautiful lyrics for TT. I have interacted with many lyricists in my career but Karky has a unique style of working. He has a definite opinion about lyric writing. I would like to thank Karky for his outstanding contribution and for standing by me as a friend.
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Karky has a definite opinion about lyric writing
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