Lakshmy Ramakrishnan's next to be mix of genres 

The shooting of Are You Okay Baby, the upcoming Tamil film starring Samuthirakani, Abhirami, and Mysskin among others, was wrapped up. The film is directed by Lakshmy Ramakrishnan.

The film, as the makers call it a mix of genres, is in its post-production stages. Speaking to Cinema Express about her upcoming film which has been inspired from her talk show Solvathellam Unmai, Lakshmy says that she would not want to classify it under any genre. “It is experimental, at the same time, I just wanted to tell a story and follow my art. I did not bother about what genre I am making the film under, or target audience.”

When asked about the genre, she adds, “This film cannot be categorised under any genre, but it has a mixture of crime, legal and family drama. We titled it as Are You Okay Baby because it is about a baby. I also liked it as a dialogue said by Vijay Sethupathi from the Naanum Rowdy Dhaan.” But the filmmaker clarifies that one should not compare the film with Baby’s Day Out which is an entertainer. “This film has got a socially relevant undertone and an issue in which I would have debated the social and legal aspect of the crime.

Laskhmy has also written the script, and confirms that it is not based on true events. “Probably, real life characters have inspired me, and I am talking from my experiences, journey and perspectives. But it is fiction at the end of the day. The film is my dedication to the Tamil audiences of my talk show.”

With Samuthirakani and Abhirami playing the lead roles, the cast also includes Mullai Arasi, Mysskin Muruga Ashok, Aadukalam Naren, Paval Navaneethan, Robo Shankar, Vinodhini, Lakshmy Ramakrishnan, among others. “When you cast the heroine or main character in the film, I would look if she fits my role and has the screen presence. But here, things don’t work that way. Since cinema is team work, you often are questioned about your choices. When dusky girls are cast, they reason that it might not work economically. With this film, I have chosen her character to be earthier as a personality,” Lakshmy says while speaking about casting Mullai Arasi.

Are You Okay Baby was extensively shot in Chennai and Kerala. The music is scored by Ilaiyaraaja. Lakshmy reveals that there is only one song in the film, for which the lyrics are penned by the composer himself and Shweta Mohan lending her voice. “The song will transform you to a different era and contains Raja sir’s best times. It will have a nostalgic factor. The commitment and time frame of veteran technicians and their discipline is amazing. After hearing the story, he immediately composed and recorded the song. I did not have to worry about the song because it was ready when I was going for the shooting. His work for the climax portions is brilliant and no one can beat him for scoring emotional sequences,” Lakshmy says about working with Ilaiyaraaja.

A release date of the film is yet to be announced.