'INTELLECTUAL CINEMA ISN'T MY THINK'

Director Adhik Ravichandran had high hopes that after his debut directorial venture, Trisha Illana Nayanthara (TIN), all the top heroes would be vying to work with him, but that didn’t happen. Simbu was the only leaing actor to encourage him.

“I was apprehensive before the release of my debut film. But it was Simbu who told me that the film would do well. Eventually, we began discussing ideas and that’s how Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan (AAA) happened,” he recalls. The script was written specifically for the actor. Ask him why, and he says, “Most of the actors feared that I’d make an adult film again. Nobody understood that a film like TIN was just a gateway into the film industry. Simbu realised my potential and believed in me.” The way he talks, I can’t help but point out, he sounds a lot like Simbu. He laughs, “Avar kooda iruken-la, adhan.”

Adhik says the shooting for AAA is all done save for a song, which will be shot in EVP, a city-based theme park. Ask him about the sudden plans to make a sequel to the film, and he smiles, “Usually, in many films, a sequel is forced. Whereas, ours is not. Part-2 will be a continuation of the story, and will resume from exactly where it ends. We’ve been shooting simultaneously and 60 per cent of the sequel is complete. We are retaining all the artistes.”

As a filmmaker, Adhik thinks he should “be different. I think TIN is GV Prakash’s best performance till date. Nobody expected him to do such a bold film. In the same way, AAA will be special in Simbu’s career. He didn’t mind doing Ashwin thatha when I told him the script. I think apart from Kamal Haasan, he’s the only one who can play such a character,” he says.

The conversation veers to Simbu’s reputation as a difficult actor to work with, and Adhik turns serious. “I don’t understand why people say that about him. He’s a gem of a person. Like every actor, he has his own style and method of working. At what time he comes in shouldn’t bother anyone as long as the work gets done. Once he wears the make-up, he gets into the skin of the character automatically.

SOURCE : NEW INDIAN EXPRESS

Simbu's AAA after Rajini's Kabali | TK 151

Simbu's AAA Movie is like this Type! | Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangathavan

After AAA ,Simbu and I might sit again for s discussion - ALPHONSE PUTHREN

After Alphonse Puthren announced his project, a Tamil film, there were speculations doing the rounds that he has approached Simbu to play the lead role. Recently Alphonse Puthren revealed some details of his new movie and one of his followers asked him if the movie will have Simbu in the lead role. Here's what the director replied - "No . Silamabarasan and i had discussions for another film. He is busy in AAA now...after that film and this film of mine we might sit again for a discussion..but we both are sure about one thing...that we need to entertain the audience...So not now may be later."

Alphonse's previous feature film Premam, which released in May 2015, ran for over 250 days in Chennai. Since then, the director has a massive fan following and so the director's next project will seemingly be highly anticipated as well.

SOURCE: IndiaGlitz

Santhanam impresses Simbu with his dance moves

The team of Sakka Podu Podu Raja, which stars Santhanam and Vaibhavi Shandilya, has returned to the city after shooting two songs in Georgia. The film's music has been composed by Simbu and produceractor VTV Ganesh says that STR was impressed with Santhanam's dance steps in the songs.

“Simbu is someone who speaks his heart and doesn't mince words. Since Simbu has worked on the songs for two months, we showed him the footage that we had shot in Georgia. The songs were choreographed by Sathish and he was pleasantly surprised seeing Santhanam's graceful dance moves. He appreciated Santhanam saying he had beautifully danced to his songs,“ says Ganesh.

The unit has canned the song, Unnakkaga, sung by composer Leon James.Another song Siru Siru Pozhuthil, marks the singing debut of singer Unnikrishnan's 16-year-old son Vasudev Krishnan and Keerthana, another newbie. “Simbu was particular that Vasudev should sing this song. In fact, when the boy initially recorded, it did not sound that good, and I even suggested that we could go with a different singer. But Simbu was confident and told him to practise the song and come to the recording a week later. When he recorded the song after a week, we were all satisfied with it,“ says Ganesh.

SOURCE : TIMES OF INDIA - Chennai Times

STR hailed for his new talent

Actor/filmmaker STR, who took the avatar of a music composer for the first time for Santhanam-Vaibhavi Shandilya flick Sakka Podu Podu Raja, is clearly on a high. Two out of five numbers composed for director Sethuraman’s SPPR, were recently shot at the virgin locales of Georgia and Turkey and the team has just returned to the city. 

Simbu’s multi-tasking talent is a known thing. The producer of the movie, VTV Ganesh, reveals that the songs, which were shot abroad, appealed to the local technicians there. “Siru Siru Pozhudhil is a melody and a romantic number, where STR has introduced two newcomer singers — Unni Menon’s young son Akash and Swathy, a classical singer. It was shot in Georgia.

Besides the skeletal team from India, I had hired a few technicians and dancers from the new place. The song was so appealing that right from the first day of the shoot, people who were part of the shoot loved it! In fact, a few onlookers were humming the tune,” Ganesh quips. He adds, “After our return, we edited the song in Antony’s edit suite and the final product turned out to be a great watch. The former was all praise for Simbu’s newfound creative talent. Simbu, who was present as well, looked elated upon seeing the visuals.” Yet another number, Unakkaaga Unakkaaga, which encompasses a bit of pathos, sung by composer composer Leon James, was also shot. It is learnt that Santhanam was at his best and pulled off the tough dance moves choreographed by master Sathish, with ease.

SOURCE : Deccan Chronicle 

STR Gossips At Sets | AAA | AAA1D

Looks like Simbu and director Adhik's father, who is also a part of AAA, share a good rapport on the set of the film. Talking about them, Adhik says, "Appa is really happy about the way AAA has shaped up. I narrated him the story of Trisha Illana... only during the shoot of the film. Regarding Simbu's film, he asked me the full script even before the first day of the shoot. He has worked in this film, too, and in fact he has become a good friend of Simbu. STR used to gossip about me and tell my father my secrets! It was fun to shoot with people we love. My dad has done only a small role in this film.

Source: TIMES OF INDIA

CT Exclusive : For The First Time Vairamuthu Writes A Song For Simbu

Simbu has recently recorded the intro song for Adhik's Anbanavan Adangathavan Asarathavan. He has crooned a folk number, Raththam En Raththam, written by Va i r a m u t h u .Interestingly, this is the first time Vairamuthu has written a song for Simbu's film. This is expected to be a fresh combo in Kollywood.

A source confirms, “When the d i r e c t o r  approached Vairamuthu for the song, he agreed to work on it. This was recorded last week. Simbu as usual recorded the song within a few minutes. The folk number, which is the introduction song of Simbu in the film, will be shot in a grand manner next week in the city.“

Source : TIMES OF INDIA (Chennai Times)

Director Adhik Ravi Exclusive Interview about AAA

Who said AAA is an adult film?

After my first film, none of the actors in the industry expressed any interest in working with me. Most of them thought that I would only direct bittu padams," begins director Adhik Ravichandran who is pretty confident that his second film with STR will break all preconceived notions about him in the industry. In this chat with us, Adhik opens up on how supportive Simbu has been, right from his debut film, why he has decided Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan (AAA) in two parts, and more...

Your debut film, Trisha Illana Nayanthara (TIN), kicked up a controversy. Was it easy for you to sign your second film?

Actually, a lot of producers were ready to fund my second film as TIN did well at the box office. But then, the heroes were quite hesitant to be a part of my film, as they thought that I am capable of only directing 'A' films. It was only Simbu who kept encouraging me, even from my TIN days. And he gave me this opportunity to prove what I am actually capable of.

Do you plan to make films like TIN again?

I made TIN only to make the industry take notice of me. That's not my favourite genre. Moreover, I can't ask big heroes to deliver vulgar dialogues; they will not agree. I want to direct out-and-out commercial films and be in the league of KS Ravikumar sir, SP Muthuraman sir, and P Vasu sir. My debut film had double-meaning dialogues, I agree, but I did not show my heroines or female artistes in a degrading way. My films will never have skin shows or vulgarity in visuals.

You announced this project following Simbu's Beep Song controversy...

When Simbu was going through that tough phase following the Beep Song controversy, I sent him a long message saying, 'You have faced a lot in life. These issues are nothing when compared to them. I am there for you and I am looking forward to working with you soon.' He replied, saying, 'God bless. Kandippa.' The next day, he called me for a discussion, listened to my script, and okayed it immediately, as he was completely impressed with it. Simbu was supposed to do a remake film with producer Michael Rayappan, and that didn't kick off. So, they decided to sign me for their new project.

Why did you title the film, AAA?

Simbu is always surrounded by some controversy or the other. After my first film, I was in the midst of a controversy, too. When both of us decided to work together, we intentionally decided to create hype. That's how we came up with this title. But unlike TIN, this film will be a commercial entertainer. Like how Annamalai was for Rajini, and Thirumalai was for Vijay, AAA will be for STR.

Simbu, reportedly, was on the sets on time, and we hear this has happened only with your film...

I understand if people talk about him not coming to film sets on time, but I don't know why people are commenting on Simbu coming to the sets on time. Many seem to have a problem with whatever he does. Ozhunga varadhu kooda prechanaiya? Every artiste should be given space for them to understand the director's vision. I gave Simbu that comfort zone.

STR's dialogues in the teaser are a hit. Will it go down well with the family audience?

Who said this film has adult content? I can't reveal the surprise now, but you need to wait for the film. Also, I have to say that none of the heroes will have the guts to say dialogues that have a connect with their personal life. But Simbu said those without any hesitation. His dialogue, comparing himself with his dad, is a huge hit now.

Reason for releasing AAA in two parts?

Releasing the film in two parts was not our initial plan. We promoted the film saying that it will have Simbu playing three characters, but then, Simbu himself revealed on live chat with fans that he will be seen in four roles. I asked him, Enna thalaiva, surprise-a odachitingalae, and he immediately told me that he has other plans. That's how this idea of releasing the film in two parts came up. I'm sure producers and distributors are happy about it. We have completed the shoot of the film. Only some patch work is left now, mainly because we decided to release it in two parts.

SOURCE : TIMES OF INDIA ( CHENNAI TIMES )

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