Vikram Prabhu: Nothing comes easy in life and Taanakkaran is proof for that

Vikram Prabhu-starrer Taanakkaran is set to have a direct digital premiere on Disney + Hostar on April 8. Ahead of the film's release, the makers organised a trailer launch event in Chennai. The event saw the cast and crew members recounting their shoot experience and talking about their expectations of the film.

Taanakkaran marks the directorial debut of Tamizh, who is noted for his roles in films like Asuran and Jai Bhim. The film is about the hardships faced by young cadets in a police training camp. The director, who is an erstwhile cop, has taken real-life experiences to pen the script.

While speaking at the event, all the actors recollected the gruelling shoot experience in Vellore. The film was shot during the April-May season and most of the actors revealed they had a tough time coping with the scorching weather.

Paval Navageethan, who plays an important role in the film, called Taanakkaran the most demanding film of his brief career. "We shot for around 60 days for the film. We would start shooting at 6 am and it would go on till 2 am. Some days were really hard, like this one instance when we were shooting atop a hill with the sun blazing. Vikram Prabhu, who was shooting with me, turned around and asked, "are you really sure director Tamizh is your friend?"

Paval also credited the hundreds of unheralded crew members for putting in their best efforts for the film. He also added that the film will be an eye-opener for many. "We tend to pass judgements at cops, but this film will show where they come from and why they're tough."

Producer SR Prabhu also echoed the same thoughts when he said that there'll be a newfound respect and sympathy for the cops after the release of Taanakkaran. He also clarified about the decision to opt for an OTT release at a time when theatres are back to full occupancy. "Post-pandemic, we've been noticing that only big films are doing well in theatres and smaller films get sandwiched in between. Films like Taanaakaaran shouldn't go unnoticed and we wanted to take it to a wider audience. Of course, the business prospects were also attractive."

The event also saw an emotional moment when the film's female lead Anjali Nair remembered a crew member named Nagesh, who passed away in an accident. A tearful Anjali said, "I want his family to know that Nagesh will always be in our hearts. I wish you peace wherever you are, Nagesh."

Director Tamizh also remembered Nagesh as one of the most dedicated people on the set. Referring to the crew members' complaints about the exhausting shoot experience, the director said that the subject demanded such a setting. "It was so tough that towards the end, some of my team members, including Vikram Prabhu sir stopped talking to me. Only then, I realised how much I had made them work. I apologise to you all now."

Vikram Prabhu sounded hopeful when he signed off by saying, "Nothing comes easy in life and Taanakkaran is proof of that. We've put in so much effort for this film. Shooting in Vellore during the peak summer was extremely taxing. There were times when I almost fainted. But I'm hopeful that our efforts won't go in vain."