The first film I watched after returning from prison was 96: Thirumurugan Gandhi

The team of one of Tamil cinema’s finest and most successful films, 96, celebrated the completion of the film’s 100th day in theatres by choosing to honour all its technicians with mementos.

Produced  by S Nandhagopal and distributed by Seven Screen Studios Lalith Kumar, the film, which featured Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha in the lead, impressed audiences so much that it continues its successful run in theatres even after being screened on television.

The event, organized by the team to celebrate the 100th day of the film in theatres, was attended by all the cast and crew members of the film including actors Vijay Sethupathi, Trisha, Divyadarshini, Gouri Kishan and Adhithya Bhaskar.  Apart from the cast and crew, celebrities such as directors Cheran, Parthiepan and the founder of the May 17 Movement, Thirumurugan Gandhi, were invited as the special guests for the event.

Speaking on the occasion,  Thirumurugan Gandhi said, “I am unable to understand until now as to why director Prem Kumar chose to invite me for this event. We were planning to stage a black flag protest against Rajapakse on Saturday and a black flag protest against Prime Minister Modi on Sunday. It was at this time, that I received an invitation for this event.  I do not know what connection we have with love.”

 The leader went on to say, “Heeding to the request of my comrades, the first film that I watched after returning from prison was 96. It was wonderful. Love is such a wonderful thing. Today, we come across several news  reports detailing  acid attacks on women who turn down  proposals. How can people do such things to the woman they love? It is important that we pay attention to where the fault lies. At a time when such reports on attacks on women are increasing day-by-day, this film, 96, which talks about how to celebrate love,  women and nature has released.  Love is not a feeling that arises only in humans. It is a basic trait that is there in all beings in this world.

“The story of the film has been made in such a way that the present happens at night and the past happens during the day. The director has shown that love does not end with a man or a woman. Love transcends all of these. It is to be in love with nature,” he said.

The leader went on to say, “In recent times, Vijay Sethupathi has become my favourite actor. I have said this in a recent interview. The reason is I believe he is an example, a reflection of today’s youth. Vijay Sethupathi showcases the problems that the youth of today face. He reflects their likes, preferences, mannerisms and dreams on screen.  Today’s heroes in films are like superheroes but Vijay Sethupathi appears to be a common man like us when he appears on screen. That is why he is loved by all. When people face difficulties, it is people like Vijay Sethupathi who are able to reach out easily to them.  Trisha had also acted beautifully and my wishes to the director too. “

Gandhi also said, “ Today, the advent of the mobile phones enables us to communicate what we think instantly. We speak about what we like and what we dislike. But this film has spoken beautifully about the experiences of people at a time when there were no cell phones. It has spoken about the experience of either going in person and speaking out what we want to say or not doing so at all, beautifully.  The connection between us and this film is love. We love the people. We love nature. That is why we struggle. This is the truth.“

Speaking on the occasion, Vijay Sethupathi said, “ The presence of political leader and activist Thirumurugan Gandhi here is a very pleasant and big surprise for me. We have put him in a compelling situation whereby he has had to talk about love. I am a huge fan of his thoughts and thought processes. Looking at Thirumurugan Gandhi, he said, “The love you have for us is like that of a brother. I wish that spreads even more. You are a well read thinker, who has understood issues well and in their entirety. I have a request to make to you and that is your speeches must be more commercial in nature.  All good things must reach everybody. As a big fan, I expect your speeches are in such a way that they reach everybody.”

On the occasion, Vijay Sethupathi also announced that he would be acting in Seven Screen Studios’ next film that is to be directed by newcomer Delhi Prasad Dheenadayal.

In the function, as per director Parthipan’s request, Vijay Sethupathi gave Trisha a friendly hug.

Another highlight of the event was a violin recital by the film’s music director Govind Vasantha, who  delighted the audience present by playing the film’s theme song

96 Thanks Giving Press Meet

I believe that whoever is able to bear the burden that is cast on them, will be able to move higher up in life: Actor Vijay Sethupathi

Actor Vijay Sethupathi, whose film 96 recently hit screens, has said that he strongly believes that whoever is able to bear the burden that is cast on them, will be able to move higher up in life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The film 96, which was produced by S NandaGopal on behalf of Madras Enterprises and directed by Premkumar, hit screens recently and was received with an overwhelming response from the public. Cinematographer Prem made his debut as a director through this film, which features Makkal Selvan Vijay Sethupathi, Trisha, Baks, Aadukalam Murugadoss, Devadarshini, Aaditya Baskar among others. 

 

Under these circumstances, a function was organised at the Prasad Lab by the film unit on Saturday to thank the fans, media and friends for the overwhelming response to the film.

Makkal Selvan Vijay Sethupathi, producer Nandagopal, director Premkumar, cameramen Shanmughasundaram, Mahendran Devaraj, Niyathi Kadambi, Aditya Bhaskar, Devadarshini, Aadukalam Murugadoss, music director Govind Vasantha, Art director Vinoth Raj, Editor Govindaraj, Costume designer Subhashree Karthik Vijay, audio engineer Azhagiya Koothan, lyricist Umadevi, singer Chinmayi, young actors Surya and Gautham were among those who participated in the event. 

Speaking at the event, Vijay Sethupathi said, "Tamil cinema is in a very healthy state. Pariyerum Perumal is wonderful and you all have celebrated it's victory. I thank you all for it. That was a film that beautifully showcased casteism's intensity and its terrifying nature. 96 is a creation that belongs only to a creator called Premkumar. But it has made everybody who watches it to consider it as their own. Reviews, film, people's taste, those who worked on it have all culminated into one point which happens to be this film.

"What I observed on this stage today is that the elders spoke like children and the children spoke like elders. 

These kids have maturity even at this young age. I compare them with myself. When I spoke for the first time on stage, I was overcome by fear. I spoke in fright,sweating and almost fainting because of fear. These children spoke so effortlessly.

 They spoke what they had in their hearts in a simple fashion and with great maturity. They are very pure. My wishes to them to do well. 

"As you all know, there were issues on the day of this film's release. But there is nothing nobody can be blamed for. This is like a circle. Just like how it is impossible to determine the starting point or the ending point in a circle, similarly, in issues like these, it is difficult to find the starting point. I do not wish to blame another person in connection with this. Nobody is responsible for this.

 However, the person who tried to save this film, Lalithkumar, is an important person. I watched in person the difficulties that producer Nandagopal faced that night. It pained me. 

But sometimes, there is no other option, Life gives us this pain. I strongly believe that when I face such problems, I am going to go the next stage in my life. I believe that whoever is able to bear the burden that is cast on them, will be able to move higher up in life. I have come across several such incidents in my life. This is not something that has happened to just my film unit. This has been happening forever in cinema," Sethupathi said. 

Speaking at the event, director Premkumar said, "I have never lived my life by splitting it into professional life and personal life. I have lived a life in which I have treated them both as one. 

I continue to live such a life. Cinema is my life. A vast majority of those who have worked on this film are my friends. They have been friends with me even before this film. Those others whom I did not know before this film have become friends after this film.

They say that you should not thank friends. Therefore, I am not going to thank them. I am also not going to thank mediapersons because you are all friends as well. It was due to your guidance and support that my earlier film Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom, in which I worked as the cameraman, went on to succeed in a big way.

 That was the reason why the film, which released a month after we screened the press show, went on to emerge a big hit. 

From that time on, you (mediapersons) too have become an unforgettable relation in my life. I wish to thank, as I have pointed out in my film 96, only to nature. Two friends -- Vijay Sethupathi and producer Lalith Kumar -- were the ones who saved us from the problems that emerged at the time of 96's release. The two people who stand as an identity for this film are Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha. They are the ones who are responsible for this film's success."