There have been several instances of Ad film makers venturing to directing movies and one of the most notable among them would be Rajeev Menon. Joining that list would be Ad film maker Jayendra, who is making his feature film directing debut with 180 which is made in both Tamil and Telugu. Starring Siddharth, Priya Anand and Nithya Menon, it is a joint production venture of Satyam Cinemas and Agal Films.

Director Jayendra, hero Siddharth, screen writers Subha (Suresh & Balakrishnan and the producers were present at the film’s press meet held at Satyam Cinemas, Chennai.

When quizzed about the unique title 180, the makers explained that it was actually chosen as a temporary title and was to be changed later. But none of the others worked and they decide that this will suit the storyline the best. The movie is about how enjoying, appreciating and living in the present is more important than planning for the future and cribbing about the past or resting of past laurels.

When director Jayendra spoke he said that he has always wanted to collaborate with Subha ever since he saw Ayan and when he told a one liner to the duo, they were very impressed with it and they decided to work together and make it happen. That is how the seed of 180 was planted. The director said that Subha has been a part of almost the entire film making process and that they can be addressed as ‘Jasubha’ for they have been such a close knit team.

The director has had the wish to make a movie for a long time and is very happy to have been able to make one now. He said that he has shot the whole film in a low key and secret manner so that when promos happen it will be on full fire. He also enunciates that both the heroines have key and meaty roles to play for this is a romantic tale. He gives us a sure shot guarantee that 180 will be a visual extravaganza.

Actor Siddharth said that he is returning to Tamil cinema after 8 long years after being successful in Tollywood. He confessed that he wanted to act in a Tamil movie for long and was waiting for the right script and that is when 180 happened. He also observed that he has done several films with new directors and Jayendra is the 9th among them. Despite working with Shankar and Mani Ratnam, Siddharth is all praises for Jayendra and said that he learnt so much about photography, shooting, lighting and several technical aspects from the director.

There are six songs in the film of which five of them have been penned by Madhan Karky and Viveka has authored one song. The makers claim that each song will be significant and will turn the story around and are not forced in.

Songs have been composed by Sarath Vasudevan who has given some great numbers for a Malayalam film before. One of the songs was played and this song was extremely unique. It has been shot in slow motion and high definition thereby magnifying every moment and movement. It was an absolute visual treat and awed the viewers. The director explains that the entire song has been shot with 110 frames per second and it is that which gives it the slow motion HD effect. The video was so beautiful that we totally agree with the director’s words about the film being a visual extravaganza. Looks like Jayendra will also ooze beauty in every frame just like Rajeev Menon did with Minsara Kanavu and Kandukonden Kandukonden.