Director H Vinoth's exclusive INTERVIEW - Thala 60, Thalapathy Vijay film details out!

Ajith’s Nerkonda Paarvai (NKP) has hit the screens today and the industry and fans are all excited to catch the film on the big screens. This film is directed by H Vinothkumar, who has given us two acclaimed films earlier in the form of Sathuranga Vettai and Theeran: Adhigaram Ondru. In an interesting conversation with us, Vinoth discusses various aspects of the film, Ajith, Thala 60, why one should watch NKP and lots more.

From your two earlier films, we know that Vinoth is very strong in writing - be it his screenplay or his research. Therefore, why a remake? Is it because you wanted to work with Ajith or because you liked the script a lot?

It is because of Ajith sir only. All the same, just because Ajith sir okays something, we cannot do a film as such. First I wanted to check if I can make a film with this story. He has taken a decision and I need to justify that, right? I also conveyed my apprehension to him as the story is very sensitive and sensible. I am not someone who thinks in this area. Therefore I sought time. Ajith sir also agreed to this and felt that it is a good thing to take some time. Meanwhile, I saw the film a few times. After seeing the film, when I interacted with women, I realized that my approach and outlook were changing. I was able to experience it every time after I saw Pink. And every time I saw the film, it engaged me in different areas.

For example, when we see a thriller, once we know the twists, subsequent viewing may not be interesting. However, that was not the case with Pink. It continued to be interesting despite me watching it many times. The movie as such was very interesting. Ajith sir also felt that we need to do something socially and just not look at a film from a business angle. He wanted to address this issue of women's rights through the film. At the same time, he was keen that we should not hurt anyone. And that’s why he chose Pink. Therefore, I decided to do the film. After having decided on it, I told Ajith sir that nothing should be changed in this film and if done so, the film wouldn’t work out. He also agreed. In this film, court arguments are important and it is a subject that has not been hitherto touched. And they have also discussed those topics in a bold manner, which others have not dealt with. I told him that if we also don’t deal with it in the same bold way, there is no point in remaking this film. He agreed with me totally.

When we discussed with the producer, he was also on the same page as ours. I wanted to check out if I could write this and then get back to them and they agreed. When I was writing, the fight and song sequences came in naturally. I pitched this in and said that by adding these two elements, the story did not change. So I wrote this and showed it to the original Hindi director Aniruddha, who also liked it. He opined that it is a little commercial but with the original soul intact. Then I showed it to Ajith sir and he also liked it. That’s how the entire journey began.

What did you keep in mind when you were introducing those changes?

Ajith sir cannot do Amitabh’s portions just as such, right? Amitabh sir is much much older. So we have brought in these new elements, taking into consideration Ajith sir’s age and acting pattern. We have incorporated these features keeping in mind not to alter or affect the core premise of the movie.

You have directed Natty before in Sathuranga Vettai and now it is Ajith. Which actor do you feel more comfortable directing?

Everyone is easy. When we see Ajith sir on screen, we are awed by his magnificence and mass factor. Natty sir is also like that. He has also worked with many directors and friends used to caution me to be careful and not make mistakes. But when we approach them and work in close proximity, we realize they are all more grounded and cooler than us! They don’t even have the small bad qualities that we have. They understand that we would be a little anxious and tensed and so take the effort to place us in our comfort zone. I can say this for all my three heroes - Ajith, Natty and Karthi sir. They are stars because they have this knowledge. If the director also loves what he is doing, the stars will do a good job.

Sathuranga Vettai or Nerkonda Paarvai - in which movie did you learn more?

I learnt more in Nerkonda Paarvai. In Sathuranga Vettai, I shared my knowledge. In NKP, I am being a mediator after having learnt someone’s knowledge.

Ajith sir has recently forayed into rifle shooting. Has this got anything to do with his next film, Thala 60?

No! No! In my first story that was narrated to Ajith sir, there was a scene involving drone flying but he said ‘no’ to it. A hero riding a bike or driving a car is a casual aspect. More than that, these things (drone flying) might seem forced, he felt. I feel that we as a common man, can do many ordinary things like shopping or going out. But these heroes cannot do normal activities and so to keep him engaged, I think he involves himself in such diversions. He would also feel claustrophobic staying indoors always. I feel that his activities, be it aero-modeling or rifle shooting, when he is involved, the field gets more visibility and therefore more takers. I think Ajith sir sees these activities as giving back to the society.

We hear that you have narrated a story to Thalapathy Vijay. What kind of story would that be? Would it be an intense drama or a commercial potboiler?

I have met Thalapathy Vijay and narrated a story. Now, he has to decide if he is doing it. It is a commercial one. Everything falls in the commercial genre only, here. When a film is having a theatrical release, it is a commercial film. When we sell something, it is commercial. You buy a ticket and then only come to the theatre, right? But within this framework, I am trying to bring in something new, a new extra flavour. If we are telling a story, the elements around the story could have a thought provoking idea or a learning. So I am trying something like that. Therefore, the story I narrated to Vijay sir will be on those lines. 

We also heard that you have narrated a story to Hip-Hop Adhi. Is it true?

My assistant is directing this project. The preparation process is on now but it has not been converted into a completed product till now. My assistant will be handling the direction for this project for which I have penned the story, screenplay and dialogues.

How many scripts do you have ready, at present?

It’s not like I have a shop with scripts (laughs)! Jokes apart, there are many scripts with all the assistant directors. Converting that into a film lies in the hands of the hero. Unless a hero says ‘yes’, the script has no value. Here, I am not talking about ‘serious’ cinema folks who work mostly for the love of the medium and not for money. These people will not worry about if a film is a success at the Box Office or whether audiences like their film or not. They will not compromise on their story. If we don’t take these people into account, a script gets its value only if a hero agrees to act in it. Everyone has ideas.

When we meet heroes and communicate our idea, we also should add elements which can be looked at from their (hero’s) point of view. A hero, after having acted in many films, will possess the knowledge and experience from them. He would have seen success and failures. He is aware of a format which says that certain things only will work for him. Therefore, we should see if we can fit our story into the square that the hero has. Sometimes it will work out. I have many ideas like that but to transform that into a product, rests with the hero.

There is a buzz that you have signed up AR Rahman for Thala 60. Is it true?

No, it is not true! I don’t want to talk about it. I think it is a speculation by a few fans.

When Pink was released, there were a few controversies and people were not able to accept the core theme. Do you think, our Tamil audiences would accept it in Nerkonda Paarvai?

Every new issue will definitely be discussed. Unless you talk about things openly, the plague will continue to grow inside. We need to talk openly. The women of today have been developing in all aspects. They read, go to work and earn as much as a man. Although there is a physical difference between men and women, we need to think about women’s freedom and the crimes committed against them. In my opinion, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are the only states in India that talk about women and their issues openly. So discussions are bound to happen and NKP would give different experiences to its audiences.

Ajith’s fans look at him in a particular way. Would NKP suit them?

Yes, NKP would be in sync with his fans. I believe this, as I am also a huge fan of him. It will surely work for them.

Why Vidya Balan?

Her character is such that there is a limited screen time but with a high impact. The artist should be a senior and should also be suitable for Ajith sir. So, when we were discussing about this with Boney Kapoor sir, Vidya Balan’s name had come in. Boney sir is Vidya Balan madam’s family friend and when she heard the story, she liked and accepted the film.

How would Ajith sir be on the sets? Would he give you ideas or do follow what you say?

He would just do his work. Once he completes his work, he would go out and sit. As regards the project, we have discussed how the screenplay would be at the planning stage. There are different styles of working for directors. While a few reveal to specific actors only the portions pertaining to them, few others tell them the entire story. I am someone who believes that my core team should be aware of the entire story, which includes my hero too. So, Ajith sir knows what he is doing.

Originally NKP was supposed to release on the 1st of May but later got pushed to 8th August. What are the reasons behind this delay?

Casting got delayed. It did not get completed in the time that we had expected it to. We did not get someone for the lawyer role that now Rangaraj Pandey has played. We had fixed a hero, who later said he was going to direct a film. There were quite some delays in the casting. It took forty days. That’s the main reason we could not complete it earlier.

Director Vinoth has his own fan base. So what can they expect from Thala 60?

We are discussing a few scripts. We will be finalising it only after the release of NKP. We would like to know what the response of the audiences would be for this film, first. Thala 60 would definitely be an action film. We would firm it up after NKP’s release.

Has any other cast member been fixed for Thala 60 yet?

No! Nobody else has been fixed as of now!

What in your opinion would be the audience’s response for NKP?

There is no prediction here. I just want to say two things. We did not do this film thinking about whether it will run or not. As a hero, no one would have taken this step. They will hesitate because it is a role played by Amitabh sir. They would also wonder if it is good for them to talk about an intense topic like this. Ajith sir has broken these two shackles and has come forward to face whatever be the consequence. This is a major step by Ajith sir. Having got a hero like Ajith sir, as a producer Boney Kapoor did not think that he has to make money and thereby kept another step forward by deciding to fund this quality content.

Therefore, I feel the audiences also should keep their step forward if they want good films. Every Friday when you come out of the theatre after watching bad films, repenting for the money and time spent, you will realize NKP is 100% quality content. It will not disappoint the fans. The more you support this film, the more this will turn into a reference point. If you can create a reference where a good film with a hero succeeds, you will get more such quality films. Therefore, it is my wish that the audience also keeps a step forward.