Maari is one of the toughest characters I've played: Dhanush 

Speaking at a press interaction ahead of Maari 2's release on December 21, Dhanush, who plays the titular role, said, "I have never done so much homework for any other character." 

The film, a sequel to 2015's Maari, sees Dhanush return as the pigeon-loving gangster alongside Vinodh and Robo Shankar, who play his two henchmen 'Adithangi' and 'Sanikizhamai'. The sequel also stars Sai Pallavi, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Kreshna and Tovino Thomas, who were also part of the interaction.

Sai Pallavi recalled her experience of starting off as a 16-year-old dancer in the show Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhudheva where she couldn't meet the National Award-winning choreographer because she lost in the semi-finals. However, she believed that life had come a full circle when Prabhudheva choreographed the Rowdy Baby song in Maari 2.

Varalaxmi remarked how Maari 2 is the third film in succession that has her as one of two female leads without sharing screen space with the other.

Robo Shankar admitted that though Maari was a big break in his career, the scene stealer in the sequel will be Vinodh.

Tovino, who plays the villain in Maari 2, said, "I was struggling to manage dates but I immediately said yes after the narration. This film is a golden opportunity for me and it is one of the best villain roles ever."

Balaji Mohan, director of the film, remarked how Dhanush okayed the original by just reading the synopsis. "He is quite the clairvoyant because he immediately recognised the franchise potential," said Balaji. He also said that Kaadhal Kondein made him drop his acting ambitions. "For me to be a director now, I have to thank Selvaraghavan, Dhanush and Yuvan Shankar Raja and to have worked with two of them in Maari 2 is surreal."

Dhanush revealed that Maari is possibly the toughest character he has played. "Anbu in Vada Chennai was relatively easy. I just needed to bear a whole load of guilt. Maari, however, is completely different because no one likes him." That said, Dhanush says he is happiest when playing Maari. "I never wanted this character to end but as I am also the producer I had to stop at some point," he finished with laughter.