Neymar director Sudhi Maddison: We had our work cut out while shooting with an indigenous dog

Actors Mathew Thomas and Naslen’s latest movie Neymar has a dog in the titular role. What started out as an USP for the team also became one of its biggest challenges, says its director Sudhi Maddison in an exclusive chat with OTTplay, ahead of the film’s theatrical release on May 12.

The team had retained the surprise element of the title till last month, when they finally let the dog out of the bag in the trailer. The movie revolves around the series of incidents that happen after a dog named Neymar enters the lives of its young protagonists and their dads.

Also read: Naslen, Mathew Thomas’ Neymar is a ‘mass’ film with songs, action and comedy: Sudhi Maddison | Exclusive 

On shooting the movie, Sudhi says, “The shoot was challenging because a dog belonging to an indigenous breed isn’t the most predictable or obedient. You never know when or how the shoot will finish. Even after training the dog, you never know if it will perform as you want it.”

The director also explains that the team had to be extra careful to ensure that the dog isn’t disturbed. “There are various factors including the presence of crowds that impact its behaviour. So, we had to take care of all that. We had bodyguards for him and also had to make sure nobody else fed him,” he adds.

The movie was shot in Pondicherry, Coimbatore, Kothamangalam and Chalakudy. “More than a feel-good movie, it’s a complete entertainer. It would please fans of all genres; it has ‘mass’ scenes, adventure, comedy and songs. Be it the family audience, children or the youth, Neymar has enough to keep the audience engaged,” he said.

Also read: Malavika Mohanan and Mathew Thomas' ­Christy warranted a big budget and that was challenging: Alvin Henry | Exclusive 

Apart from Naslen and Mathew, the film also has Shammi Thilakan, Vijayaraghavan and Johny Antony in pivotal roles. “Everyone has equally-important roles in the movie. Shammi chettan is as important as Kuttettan, who has a few ‘mass’ scenes in the film. I believe it's well-packed that would appeal to all age-groups because it talks about the issues of the older people as well as youngsters,” he says.

Ask Sudhi if he was worried about releasing his debut movie on a Friday that also sees the releases on films such as VK Prakash’s Live and Aniesh Upaasana’s Janaki Jaane along with 2018 now running in all major theatres, and he says, “We all want audiences to come to theatres to watch our movies, especially at a time when they can choose to watch films in the comfort of their homes. This film has content that people can enjoy in theatres; it’s set in a big canvas and will entertain people.”