With Vaa Vaathiyaar's imminent release, Nalan Kumarasamy will be breaking his nine-year-long hiatus from the big screen. He last made Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum with Vijay Sethupathi and Madonna Sebastian in 2016. Although the filmmaker is excited and awaiting the release of the Karthi-starrer, he said the experience and efforts required to bring it to the audience was akin to being "squeezed by a sugarcane juice machine."
"I was being shown many posts about how I am coming back with a film after nine years. Ideally everyone should be scared as to what I would bring to screens, but I am glad that everyone is confident. I am thankful for that," he chuckled. "After we wrapped Soodhu Kavvum, SR Prabhu asked me if we can take a film with this particular title. I told him it is a term used for mockery and denied, but he insisted. Even Sivakumar sir was unhappy with us using the title. Later, we assured that we would take a film with the title 'Dharmam Vellum' (Truth will triumph). That is Vaa Vaathiyaar. However, the film's working experience was equal to being pushed out by a sugarcane juice machine," he laughed.
"It was physically tough, but mentally it was like a software update. For a few days we'll have bugs and glitches, but over the period, we got an update. I thank 'Puratchi Thalaivar' MGR for giving me this opportunity to make the film. I also thank Gnanavelraja and Karthi who have been instrumental in bringing the film to the screens," he added.
Speaking about MGR's influence in people's lives and himself, Nalan shared, "Karthi was the perfect fit for the film as the man himself, but convincing him was tough. However, his questions and suggestions helped the film come out in a better way. We love cinema as a society and this story was exciting for me to work on. Although I am not a Vaathiyaar fan, once I read about him, I became his admirer. I can say many positive things about him. Leave aside his political side. KE Gnanavelraja's father once said, 'I am healthy because of MGR. If I don't have any bad motives and habits, it is because of him. He has inspired many people like him. This film is a dedication for him," he elaborated on the film.
Vaa Vaathiyaar, set for release on December 12, is billed as an action-comedy entertainer and marks the first collaboration between Karthi and director Nalan Kumarasamy. The film stars Krithi Shetty as the female lead and features Rajkiran, Sathyaraj, Anandaraj, Karunakaran, GM Sundar, Shilpa Manjunath, and Ramesh Thilak in pivotal roles.
