“The system of titling films in Tamil should be brought back into law”- Director Perarasu’s humble request to the CM of Tamil Nadu Thiru.MK Stalin at the trailer and audio launch of ‘Striker’
‘Striker’ is an upcoming Tamil film produced by Henry David and Justin Vijay under ASW Creations and JSJ Cinemas. SA Prabhu has directed the film. Justin Vijay, who is also one of the producers, debuts as a Hero with thias film. Vidya Pradeep plays the female lead. Robert Master, Kasthuri, Abhinaya Sri and others have played pivotal roles. Vijay Siddharth has composed the music and the background score has been composed by VT Bharathi and VT Monish. Cinematography has been handled by Manish Murthy and editing by Nagooran Ramachandran. The music and trailer launch of the film was held yesterday in Chennai. Directors Suseendhiran, Perarasu, Sakthi Film Factory Sakthivelan, Actor Imman Annachi, Bharatmata Manimaran, Actor RS Karthik, Vijay TV fame Naveen and many others graced the event as special guests.
Director SA Prabhu:
“This film comes under the parapsychology horror genre. As the story of this film caught the attention of the Hero, Justin eagerly wanted to produce the film as well. We were inspired by the music of Vijay Siddharth, who had composed music for a short film called ‘Ashwin’, which we saw on YouTube, and we signed him as the music composer for this film. Harishankar Ravindran, who has been a friend of mine since college days, has written the lyrics for all the three songs for the film. Although the producer was initially hesitant to sign a contract with the lyricist, after seeing the first song written by Harishankar, he asked him to write all the songs himself. Shakti Film Factory Sakthivelan has been a close friend of mine for a long time, so I discussed this story with him from time to time and sought his advice. As it was a fitting title for the film, ‘Dora’ director Das gave me this ‘Striker’ title that he had.
Lyricist Harishankar Ravindran:
“I have written a song titled ‘Andaadhi’ in this film, like the song ‘Vasantha Kala Nadhinile written by poet Kannadasan. Before this, I have written songs for several serials including Pasamalar, Ponnoonjal, Vani Rani. It was in this film that I got recognition as a lyricist for the first time. I will use this as a platform for my opportunity..
Actor- Producer Justin Vijay said:
“I started my journey as a VJ. I played minor roles in ‘Kanchana’ and ‘Madras’. It was Lawrence Master who recognised my talent and appreciated my performance. Music director Vijay Siddharth is a wonderful being, who realises his flaws when required and rectifies them. We have taken this film in such a way that everyone can watch it with the family. It is sad that VT Monish, who composed the background music for this film, is no longer with us at this time.
Actor Imman Annachi said:
“Justin, the hero of the film, and I have been friends for a long time. But he never approached me to act in this film.Going by the songs and the trailer of the film, it seems that Justin will definitely rise as a lead hero and has a long way to go.
Director Perarasu said:
“Usually all successful heroes will send the directors who come to tell their stories, to the producers. But actor Justin, who sent a director to the producer to narrate the story in his very first film, is sure to emerge as a leading hero. Congratulations to Harishankar who wrote the song without mixing English in it. Many people asked why he approached me to pen the lyrics for a new song? Let me remind you all that I am basically a poet, then a storyteller. Similarly, there were only a limited number of songwriters and singers during the periods of MSV and Ilayayaraaja. After the advent of AR Rahman, the situation has changed and today new lyricists and singers are appearing in many films. This is a healthy thing. After watching Robert Master’s performance in a song in this film, one can say that the hero is sure to have a tough time matching up to his performance.
During Kalaignar Karunanidhi’s period, he brought a law which said that titles in Tamil are exempt from tax. All the films released then were released with Tamil titles. Even Ajith’s film ‘Godfather’ was retitled as ‘Varalaaru’. But now many films are titled in English. Even I saw the title of this film as ‘Striker’ and thought it was a film called ‘Poraali’. Therefore, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin should bring back the law that Tamil films should be titled in Tamil. Similarly, today many people are venturing into filmmaking saying that it is a film that will be liked by the youth.. All those films will not go above a certain height. We should try to make a film that is liked by all the family and children. People named ‘Prabhu’ have always been winners in Tamil cinema. The director of this film, SA Prabhu, will also emerge as such a successful director.”
Distributor Sakthivelan of Shakti Film Factory said:
“It is a good thing that young people who yearn for recognition have come together for this film. The director of this film, SA Prabhu, was working as an assistant director at Studio Green when he was entrusted with the responsibility of shooting a making video for a film. He’s such a talented person. Usually if the hero likes the story and then changes it then it will not be correct. But, when the director told me the story in the end, I gave him some important advice. He accepted it without hesitation and made some changes and filmed it. Music composer Vijay Siddharth has composed different songs in three different genres. He will surely become a great music composer.
Actor RS Karthik said:
“There are no people here to support newcomers. Tamil cinema is stagnant with 15 directors and 15 actors. Those who have coconut groves and goat groves should not rely on it alone and cultivate intercrops in between.”
Director Suseendhiran said:
“My uncle has never invited me to any function. I came to this function only because of his invitation. But watching this event, it looks like a ‘Venilla Kabaddi Kuzhu’ film celebration to me. To that extent, many newcomers have come together to make this film. This film will be a huge success for sure.
The film’s producer Henry David said:
“This is my first film. I loved hearing the story of this film. I am sure everyone will like this film. It has become a family entertainer film. When the director told me that Harishankar, a newcomer, was writing the songs, I hesitated in disbelief at first. But seeing the first song, it gave me confidence. He has given such good songs.”
The film’s heroine Vidya Pradeep and special invitee Dindigul I. Leoni conveyed their greetings to the team through a video byte as they could not attend the event in person. The multi-voiced Vijay TV fame Naveen who enthralled the Media and team members by mimicking Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Vijay Sethupathi, greeted the team and wished them all success.
CAST:
Justin Vijay R, Vidya Pradeep, Robert, Abinaya Sri, Kasturi Shankar
CREW:
Directed by: S.A. Prabhu
Produced by: Henry David, Justin Vijay.R
Cinematography: Manish Murthy
Songs: Vijay Siddharth
Background Score: VT Bharathi and VT Monish
Editing: Nagooran Ramachandran
Lyrics: Harishankar Ravindran
Costumes: Akhilan Ram
Art: Anand Mani
Executive Producer: Rajesh Krishna
Public Relations: Riaz K Ahmed
