Filmmaker Cheran spoke highly of the latest film Neelira, directed by Sri Lankan Tamil filmmaker Someetharan and produced by Karthik Subbaraj's Stone Bench, which released in theatres on Friday.
In an eight-minute-long video, Cheran said that he was able to see and feel the heat and discomfort that the Tamils had to endure for over decades. He also added that what unsettled him was the cold and stoic demeanour, no matter what tragedy befalls, as they are war-hardened. Praising Someetharan, Cheran said that Neelira is easily one of his favourites in the past decade or so.
The film mostly opened to positive reviews upon its release on Friday. An excerpt from the CE review reads, "Neelira stands as a poignant reminder of a bleak history that remains underrepresented. While its narrative economy and lack of contextual hand-holding may distance some viewers, its emotional sincerity leaves a lasting imprint. Neelira may not offer easy answers or closure, but it compels us to sit with discomfort, ensuring that these stories are not forgotten."
Produced by Karthik Subbaraj's Stone Bench Productions and Rana Daggubati's Spirit Media, Neelira stars Naveen Chandra, Roopa Kodayur, Rohit Kokate, Sananth, and Kayal Vincent, among others. The technical team includes cinematographer Pratheepan Selva, editor Radha Sridhar, music composer K, and stunts by Dinesh Subbarayan.