Dhanush had plenty to share at the audio launch of his upcoming film Om: Chapter 1 – Udhiram: The Blood Wood. From addressing the political rumours surrounding him and speaking about his equation with co-star Mammootty to recalling his experience recording a song for the film, the actor offered several interesting insights. He also had a special message for fans eagerly awaiting his next collaboration with director Tamilarasan Pachamuthu. Here are five takeaways from his speech.
Dhanush was equally generous in his praise for the film's ensemble cast and director Rajkumar Periasamy. “Om has five heroes: Mammootty sir, Sai Pallavi, Sreeleela, Sai Abhyankkar and then me. It is not a multi-starrer; it is a multi-hero film,” he said.
He also spoke about Rajkumar's confidence in his script and his understanding of what audiences expect. “I have never met someone like Rajkumar. He has tremendous confidence in himself and his script. He knows how to get work done from his team and understands what fans want. A song like 'Alaakaa Loova' is not necessarily required for a film like this, but he wanted me to dance for my fans,” Dhanush said.
Dhanush had words of admiration for his co-star Mammootty, whom he described with his trademark humour. “Mammootty sir is Thug Life, and Thug Life is Mammootty sir. You can never expect a conventional answer to any question from him,” he said.
Recalling his first impressions of the veteran actor, Dhanush said he had briefly appeared in a Malayalam film with Mammootty and initially found him quiet, assuming he might be stern. However, meeting him again for Om changed that impression. “I realised what a sweet, loving and funny person he is. He is amusing too,” Dhanush added.
Dhanush congratulated composer Sai Abhyankkar on his achievements at a young age, pointing out that seven out of the ten most-streamed songs on Spotify were reportedly his. He also recounted how he ended up recording 'Alaakaa Loova' for Om.
“Sai initially sent me the tune and asked me to sing it. I told him the pitch was too high and that I wouldn't be able to sing it. Rajkumar also encouraged me to give it a try. Even after going to the studio, I kept telling them I couldn't do it. But Sai persisted. I sang for three-and-a-half hours and finally completed it,” he recalled.
Dhanush said Sai had promised to mix the track and send it to him. After following up several times, he eventually received a call from director Rajkumar Periasamy, who told him that Sai felt the song would be better if someone else sang it. “I told him, ‘Isn't that what I said in the first place?’ To date, Sai Abhyankkar is the only composer who has made me sing a song and then dropped my version,” he said with a laugh.
Addressing political rumours doing the rounds about him and the people associated with him, Dhanush said he was aware of the speculation but did not wish to engage with it. “There are a lot of rumours going around about me these days. There are claims about who is supporting whom, who is standing behind whom and who is siding with whom. For me, God is the one who directs my life, my fans are behind me, and the people are by my side. The people are with me,” he said.
When asked what's next for him, teasing his speculated political entry, Dhanush busted the rumours by saying he's only looking forward to D56. Dhanush had a special mention for his upcoming film with Lubber Pandhu director Tamilarasan Pachamuthu. Calling it a particularly special project, the actor said, “The next beginning is only with Tamilarasan Pachamuthu’s film. I consider D56 a very special film for me. Of course, Om has the elements you have been longing to see from me. But D56 will be an OG fanboy sambavam from Tamilarasan. It will be the biggest treat for you.”