Exclusive! Sri Ganesh: I interacted with gangsters and cops to ensure that Kuruthi Aattam looks realistic

The filmmaker talks about his latest release which was lying in the cans for a while,

Sri Ganesh

8 Thottakkal, starring MS Bhaskar in the lead, was one of the riveting thrillers Tamil cinema witnessed in the last decade. Sri Ganesh, who made his directorial debut with the movie, turned heads with the project, thanks to its compelling screenplay, impressive detailing in crucial scenes and performances of actors.

His second movie Kuruthi Aattam, which was supposed to release a couple of years ago, has finally been released in theatres. The young filmmaker opens up on the Atharvaa-starrer action drama, various challenges he faced during scripting and making, attempts to create something different from regular gangster films and preparations he underwent in an exclusive interview with OTTplay. Excerpts...

The film has finally been released after getting delayed for a few years. How difficult was it to wait for the release of a movie that was completed long ago?

I think unlike people who work in other crafts of cinema, the director has to wait a lot to feel a sense of satisfaction. He also needs financial support as well to make his vision come true. I'm happy that the movie has finally hit the screens after keeping us waiting for a few years. I'm now waiting to watch the film with the audience. I'm eager to know their feedback. I was elated with the response the movie's promo videos garnered. I hope the audience would connect to the vision with which we made the movie.

Did you ever think of going the OTT way when the film's release looked uncertain?

No, never. Kuruthi Aattam is an entertaining action film which we believe has elements to impress theatre going viewers. It has elements which can attract all sections of the audience. For those who are not fond of action-oriented scripts, we have ensured that the film has emotional moments to cater to them. The conviction that there is something for every audience is what made us wait for a theatrical release.

The movie has been promoted as an unapologetic gangster drama ever since it went on floors. Is it based on any real-life incidents or characters?  

It is purely fictional, but I got to interact with a lot of gangsters and cops to ensure that the movie looks realistic in every sense. It all began with two characters, the protagonist and a 10-year-old girl, who got involved in a gang war. I created a world around them and explored the possibilities of making it into a full-fledged action movie.

What were the different challenges you faced during scripting and making of the movie?

It took me a year to complete the script. There are 10 major characters in the story and providing more or less equal space to them was a big task. There were challenges during making as well. Many told me that my vision for the film was beyond its budget. So, we had to put our best foot forward; it was physically and emotionally draining.  

The film boasts of an interesting combination of veteran and young actors...

Atharvaa came on board as the protagonist as he was keen to join hands with me after 8 Thottakkal. Priya Bhavani Shankar became a part of the movie after the script was completed. The powerful gangster character Radhika ma'am plays is something I wrote keeping her in mind, like how I developed the protagonist character for MS Bhaskar sir in 8 Thottakkal. Radha Ravi sir also essays the role of a gangster which has a tinge of humour in portrayal. It was a treat to watch him perform the character flawlessly.  

Is it the commercial requirement in the trade which forces filmmakers to include a female lead in gangster dramas like this?

I believe there are different formats to make gangster dramas when looked from a commercial point of view. I was keen on making a grounded and realistic gangster drama which involves loads of action episodes. The heroine in this movie comes across as a girl-next-door character who faces certain issues. How she reacts to the problems within her limitations is the crux of her role. It is not the so-called commercial requirement which made develop such a character. 

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