Expressing disgruntlement over the lack of proper reception to his last film Meiyazhagan upon theatrical release in Tamil Nadu, Prem Kumar said he regrets making the film in Tamil and instead he should have made it in Malayalam.
In an interview with Galatta Plus, the filmmaker shared that his film, headlined by Arvind Swamy and Karthi, did not make a big profit or recognition upon its theatrical release, but they somehow survived it. "The reception the movie received in theatres did not meet our expectations. It did not collect as much, but we survived it. But I am satisfied that it got its due when it premiered on OTT."
He further added that people said Meiyazhagan would have received well in Tamil Nadu if it were made in Malayalam. "I agree with them. I feel the same. If such a movie had come to the Tamil audience from outside, it would have been received better. I felt bad realising that capturing my culture in my language would have been received better in my native language if it were made in another language."
In a scathing attack on 'negative reviewers,' he said that he fears them more than even piracy. "They do more damage to the movie than piracy. These negative reviewers carry an agenda; they nitpick the film. It is a huge task to cross that threshold and bring a movie to the audience."
Released on September 27, the film opened to mostly positive reviews. It was praised for the film's simple and grounded making and storyline that explores the emotional dynamics between relatives.
