Actor-composer GV Prakash Kumar spoke candidly about his experience working on Happy Raj, praising debut director Maria Raja Elanchezhian for his clarity and conviction at the film's pre-release event on Monday. He also spoke about his co-stars in the upcoming film.
GV Prakash said that Maria’s confidence stood out right from the start. “As a first-time filmmaker, Maria is fearless. The moment he reached out to me, there was no hesitation in the way he approached the project, and I immediately said yes. If this is the kind of cinema he is going to deliver, I don’t mind being that ‘instant yes’ person,” he said with a smile.
Drawing a comparison with his earlier collaboration with Adhik Ravichandran in Trisha Illana Nayanthara, the actor noted that while the 2015 film thrived on its high energy and adult humour, Happy Raj channels only the vibrancy. “That film had a certain youthful energy, but it also had adult content. Maria has retained just the energy and shaped it into a breezy, joyful entertainer that can be enjoyed by audiences across age groups,” he explained.
He emphasised that the synergy between an actor and a filmmaker plays a crucial role in a film’s success. “The chemistry between a creator and an actor matters a lot. It helps the writing and the performance come together seamlessly. I experienced that with Adhik earlier, and I felt the same comfort and understanding with Maria on this film,” he added.
GV Prakash also opened up about the challenges the team faced before the project took off. “For a long time, we struggled to find producers. When Jaivarda and Jaikanth Suresh came on board, I was honestly a little anxious. They were debut producers backing a debut director, and I wondered if they might step away midway,” he admitted.
Recalling past experiences, he said, “There have been times when I’ve been asked to contribute financially to ensure a film’s release. So those concerns were real.” However, he was quick to add that the producers of Happy Raj proved those fears wrong. “They handled everything smoothly, from production to business. In fact, the film has already secured its OTT and satellite deals, making it profitable even before release. I’m truly grateful that they took on all the pressure without passing it on to us.”
Helmed by Maria Raja Elanchezhian, Happy Raj features GV Prakash in the lead alongside a diverse ensemble cast including Abbas, Sri Gouri Priya, George Maryan, Geetha Kailasam, Adhirchi Arun, Madurai Muthu, and Devi Mahesh, among others.
Backing Happy Raj is Jaivarda under the Beyond Pictures banner, with Jaikanth Suresh serving as co-producer. The technical team includes composer Justin Prabhakaran, cinematographer Madhan Christopher, editor Selva RK, production designer Kumar Gangappan, art director Ayyapan, and stunt choreographer Om Siva Prakash. The film is slated to hit theatres on March 27.