Athiradi” Will Surely Connect with Tamil Audiences – Director Arun Anirudhan

 *“Athiradi” Will Surely Connect with Tamil Audiences – Director Arun Anirudhan*

*Dubbing for “Athiradi” in Tamil Was a Memorable Experience – Director-Actor Basil Joseph*

*How Could I Say No When a Friend Invites Me? – Sanju Samson at the “Athiradi” Pre-Release Event*

*Basil Joseph Gives His Absolute Best in Everything He Does; I Am Here for Him – Sanju Samson*

Directed by Arun Anirudhan and starring Tovino Thomas, Basil Joseph, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Riya Shibu and several others, Athiradi is gearing up for a grand multi-language release. Jointly produced by Basil Joseph and Anandu S., the film has been written by Arun Anirudhan and Paulson Skaria. Athiradi is slated for release in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi.

The pre-release event of Athiradi was held recently in Chennai in the presence of the cast and crew. Adding to the excitement of the occasion, Indian cricketer Sanju Samson attended the event as a special guest.

Director Arun Anirudhan said, “Discussions regarding the title of this film began nearly two years ago. It was Basil Joseph who suggested the title Athiradi. The word itself has a strong impact in Tamil, and similarly, the film too carries an energy and impact that suits its title. We sincerely hope audiences celebrate this film in theatres.

Working with Basil Joseph and Tovino Thomas has been a wonderful experience. The film unfolds against a college backdrop and carries elements that I believe Tamil audiences will find enjoyable and relatable.”

Writer Paulson Skaria said, “I am currently learning Tamil and trying to speak it. I genuinely want everyone to watch this film. It is a complete entertainer packed with all the ingredients for an engaging theatrical experience. The film has been performing well in Malayalam, and I strongly believe Tamil audiences will enjoy it as well.

Rather than simply translating dialogues from Malayalam into Tamil, we put in a lot of effort to ensure the dialogues feel natural and relatable to Tamil audiences. Thank you all for your support.”

Actor Basil Joseph said, “Vanakkam to everyone. I have dubbed for myself in Tamil for this film, and through the process, I have gradually learned the language. It turned out to be a very enjoyable experience. Since childhood, I have often heard the word Athiradi, and now, I find myself acting in a film carrying the same title. I believe this film will entertain audiences across all age groups.

The response in Malayalam has been extremely encouraging, and I hope Tamil audiences too will embrace it warmly. We paid special attention to ensuring the Tamil dialogues feel natural and relatable for Tamil audiences. Even the placement of Tamil songs in the film has been done carefully.

I would like to thank Sanju Samson for joining us today. We did try to cast him in the film, but he politely declined. This is a film meant to bring joy and laughter to audiences.

Dubbing in Tamil was a memorable experience. Initially, a few words felt difficult, but gradually the language became easier and more enjoyable. The writers were extremely supportive throughout. Tamil audiences have always stood behind genuine effort, and the warmth and affection received here continue to amaze me. The love I experienced during my previous visit to Chennai remains unforgettable, and I will always remain grateful to Tamil audiences.

When it comes to choosing between acting and directing, I personally enjoy directing more. Acting feels like sitting in the passenger seat, whereas directing feels like being behind the wheel. Naturally, I enjoy being in the driver’s seat. At present, I have not seriously considered balancing both acting and directing simultaneously, as both demand immense focus.”

Indian cricketer Sanju Samson said, “Vanakkam to everyone. Attending a film event is a completely new experience for me. When a friend invites you, there is simply no way you can say no. I am genuinely happy to be here.

They approached me for a small role in the film, but I told them that if I ever act, it should be a slightly bigger role. Directors are the right people to decide what kind of characters would suit me.

Basil is always cheerful and approachable, but when it comes to work, he becomes extremely focused and disciplined. Even if friends invite him for dinner, he prefers knowing in advance. Whatever he commits to, he gives his absolute best. When he invited me to this event, I could clearly see the effort he had put in, and I genuinely wanted that hard work to receive the success it deserves.

Ever since joining CSK, my sense of responsibility has naturally grown. Playing for a big franchise with so many trophies naturally comes with greater responsibility. Even outside cricket, fans shower me with affection, asking us to win matches and bring home trophies. That warmth feels truly special.

I believe I have begun a beautiful journey in Chennai. Growing up, I watched many Tamil films, and today, playing for Tamil Nadu and Chennai has made this city feel like a second home. I especially love Chennai’s food. Just last week, I visited a Nair Mess, and the food was absolutely fantastic.”