Vetrimaaran and I are brothers: Dhanush

The 100th-day celebration of Dhanush-starrer Asuran happened today in Chennai. Apart from the actor, the event also saw the attendance of the film's cast and crew such as director Vetrimaaran, producer Thanu, music director GV Prakash Kumar, Ken Karunas, Ammu Abirami, Teejay, Balaji Sakthivel, Pawan, Venkatesh, and editor Ramar, among others. 

Director Balaji Sakthivel, who made his acting debut with Asuran, said, "Some films will be critically acclaimed but will not do financially well and some films will be the other way around. Asuran is one of those rare films, that too in today's scenario, to have achieved both. The technicians have put in so much effort that, in front of the camera, their work looked effortless."

Singer Teejay, who also made his debut with Asuran, said, "Dreams do come true and Asuran has been a huge boost. I was initially apprehensive but Dhanush sir's backstories and other things he shared gave me the confidence. I have to thank Andrea for introducing me to Vetrimaaran sir."

Ken Karunas, who took to the stage next, said, "Most of my scenes were with Dhanush sir and only because of the freedom he gave, I able to pull off the role." 

Music director GV Prakash said, "It's not often we see 100-days function these days. I am glad that Asuran achieved it and that I was a part of it. I have to thank my music team as we had very little time to finish the film. We struggled and finished it in time to make it to the festival release. I would tell Thanu sir that Asuran would be as iconic as his Kizhakku Cheemayile and Kaakha Kaakha and it has ended up like it."

Producer Thanu said, "Dhanush called me while shooting Velaiyilla Pattathari and said we should do a film with Vetri Maaran. After SP Muthuraman sir, it is Vetri who holds a special place in my heart. He is someone who considers a film to be bad if it does not become a financial success to its producer. He had dengue when he worked on the film and had a bed in the dubbing studio where he worked round the clock. After Sivaji sir, Dhanush is someone who can do all type of characters."

Director Vetri Maaran, who followed, said, "Such functions are when we can thank and apologise to those that we owe. A film makes itself up and we're all just mediums. We just have to create the space for it. I feel Asuran is an essential film at this juncture. Indraya Tamil makkal oda velipaad ah dhaan indha padatha paakuren. A film's commercial success is just an accident. What we can assure is putting in our efforts and giving it our best. A lot of other factors decide its success." Speaking about Dhanush, the filmmaker said, "I've known Dhanush since 2003. He has always been a director's actor, but he went a step ahead for Asuran. Dhanush made the character Sivasami what it is."

Dhanush spoke last, and said, "The Blood Bath track alone contributed to 25 per cent of Asuran's success. I was in London when the film got put together, so I was apprehensive. It was my mother who called me first when the film released and said that it was getting a good response."

Recalling an incident that happened on the sets of his film Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam, which was directed by Vetri Maaran's mentor Balu Mahendra, Dhanush said, "I had played a prank on Vetri who was then an assistant director. I had asked Balu sir to make him enact a scene that I was supposed to do. But it backfired when he pulled it off extremely well. Then I did it in my way but director sir did not react any differently. When I later asked sir which among the two performances he liked, he smilingly said, 'You are asking me to choose between my sons. I am not going to answer that.' He saw the two of us as his sons and we have been brothers ever since."

While speaking about Asuran, Dhanush added, "The role I played is of someone who is older than me. A director must have the confidence to choose an actor for such a role and I owe him for that. We discuss and change things about stories usually, but for Asuran, we stuck to what we discussed the first time. This film's success would not have been possible if not for every single person who worked on it."