Sabdham director Arivazhagan Interview: I’m aware that comparisons with Eeram are bound to happen

It’s almost a circle for director Arivazhagan when it comes to the release of his upcoming film Sabdham. He made his debut in 2009 with the critically acclaimed horror film Eeram, and 16 years later, Arivazhagan is here to send chills down your spine with yet another horror film. Sabdham, produced by 7G Siva, is all set to hit theatres on February 28, and the director joins OTTplay for a conversation about how the journey has been like.

When Tamil cinema has been seeing a dwindle of genre-based films, with horror often diluted as horror comedies, Arivazhagan says, “Genre-based films are very important, especially for directors. It eventually becomes their voice, and you go into a film with the idea of what the director will give. You will connect with the film based on the director’s voice. Genre is very important. Horror itself has about several sub-genres, like horror comedy, supernatural thriller and more.”

A fan of the genre himself, Arivazhagan lists films like Exorcist, The Omen, Rosemary’s Baby, The Conjuring, Yaar, and Yaavarum Nalam.

Sabdham director Arivazhagan interview

Arivazhagan feels that directors need to be equipped and stay updated with the tastes of the audience of today’s generation. While he also feels horror as a genre by itself requires filmmakers to be on ground about the latest technological developments, Arivazhagan says, “At the same time, we should not miss our soul, because that is the only thing that connects with the audience. What the director is saying forms the main connect. That is why I don’t want to give jump scares in my films.”

When coming to Sabdham, he says it is a film which has been approached more scientifically. “In Eeram, I broke many cliches of horror and the stereotypes of what ghosts would look like. Eeram did not have anything. In Sabdham, I have done my best to make it technically strong.”

Even as the team works technically hard to bring the output of Sabdham, it’s the theatres that project the film which should have quality sounding and visual equipment to give the best experience for the audience. Arivazhagan says Sabdham will make the audience feel it will be a good story, but is also a tad bit afraid that they will miss it due to technical glitches. “I am planning to send circulars to all theatres to let them know the sound levels and importance of it. Certain instructions have been planned to give to all theatres,” he adds.

Also read: Sabdham: Gulmohar actress Simran and Vadandhi actress Laila team up after two decades

‘OTT projects have to be engaging than time frame’

Having made the series Tamilrockerz, an inevitable question would be if the filmmaker would do a similar series under the horror genre. “We can do a limited series, but that’s something I need to give more thought to. Having said that, it’s time we cannot just fix to theatres alone. We have to adapt to the changing atmosphere. Horror series have been received well, but I will have to decide on how things come to me.”

Arivazhagan says web series gives filmmakers freedom of expression and makes them free of time constraints as compared to films. “If you want to watch a film for about 2.5 hours for a theatrical audience where all kinds of people walk in, you have to make it very engaging and consider all of them. It also comes under the business aspect. But when it is an OTT project, we need not think about the time frame. More than engaging, it has to be of strong subject, and the story should have more depth by hooking the audience with each episode.”

Also read: Sabdham trailer out: After Eeram, Aadhi and Arivazhagan are back with another horror film, now based on sounds 

Collaborating with actor Aadhi after Eeram did not turn out to be a burden on Arivazhagan but he acknowledges the expectations they have. “The comparisons are bound to happen with Eeram, no matter how many films I make. But for Sabdham, we have justified and executed as much as we can for the audience to get thrilled in theatres.”

After Sabdham, Arivazhagan has another horror and fantasy script that he is working on. “But my long dream is to make an action thriller to be made on a big budget. If Borrder had been released, you would have seen the other shade of my filmmaking. It is a spy action thriller. All projects are an ongoing process. With regards to Borrder, those who have watched the film say it is still fresh. I have been also waiting for Borrder’s release. Hope after Sabdham,” he signs off.

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