Galatta Media recently organized a special fans festival for leading director Vignesh Shivan, who is best known for his films Podaa Podi, Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, Thaanaa Serndha Koottam, and Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal. The gala event also saw popular film reviewer-actor Prashanth Rangaswamy participate and interact with the hit Tamil filmmaker, who opened up on his experience of working in the creative team of the 44th Chess Olympiad held in Chennai in 2022. Vignesh Shivan also spoke about working on the conceptualization and direction of the Chess Olympiad song, which featured Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, and was composed by Academy Award-winning music director A. R. Rahman.
During the interaction, Vignesh Shivan revealed for the first time the behind-the-scenes action of the 44th Chess Olympiad ceremony proceedings and how the production had been carried out, while also talking about working with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin. He said, "For the shooting, sir (CM Stalin) was ready and on time. And, when I requested for another take, he obliged instantly. Everyone was very, very nice. We didn't have a big fear. We were able to carry out the work in a professional manner." Vignesh Shivan also spoke about a special felicitation ceremony held last year after the Chess Olympiad, which saw CM Stalin and senior Tamil Nadu police officers take part, while also opening up on the experience of taking his mother along, who herself was an inspector.
Speaking about the felicitation ceremony, Vignesh Shivan said, "On the stage, there were senior police officers like the Commissioner, Joint Commissioner, and Deputy Commisioner, and I along with my mother sat with them, and it was a memorable experience. Kamal Haasan sir too was there. I have a photo that we took there. I haven't shared many things on social media because some are personal." The hit filmmaker added, "In that photo, CM Stalin sir, Kamal sir, A. R. Rahman sir, and me along with my mother are seated. My mother was very happy. Later, they served us dinner and we dined with all of them. The reason I'm saying this is because if one thing is taking a big positive turn, it doesn't mean that it's an individual thought, but was rather a collective team effort."
Vignesh Shivan also revealed how he received a phone call from 'Superstar' Rajinikanth, who called him to congratulate him on his work in the 44th Chess Olympiad ceremony proceedings. He said, "It was a surreal experience. Sir (Rajinikanth) called me after going back home at around 10 p.m. once the event was over. He called me and asked whether it was too late to talk. I told him that I would listen to him talk all night long. He said the event was mind-blowing and wasn't able to believe that I had done it. It was like a lifetime settlement moment for me."
Watch Vignesh Shivan talk the call he received from Rajinikanth in the video below:
