Менее чем за неделю до выхода музыкального альбома к своему новому фильму Kaaviya Thalaivan, Васантабалан открыл важную деталь о фильме. Он опроверг слух о том, что фильм основан на жизни актёров Сундарамбала и Киттаппа.

"Фильм о драматических актёрах театра, которые жили в начале 20-го века. Они работали в маленькой театральной трупе. Весь фильм о них и о сперничестве между ними. Сиддхарт играет Талайванкотая Калиаппа Бхагаватара, а Притхвирадж - его соперник Мелачивилбери Гомати Наягам Пиллаи. Итак, между этими двумя одинаково привлекательными и талантливыми актёрами, которые работают в одной возрастной группе, существует соперничество. У них общий учитель, которого играет Нассер", - говорит режиссёр.

Перевод: daria специально для vk.com/siddharth_club

Answering yet again to the question whether his upcoming period film ‘Kaaviya Thalaivan’ that is based on the theater groups that existed in 1920’s is based on the love story between veteran film cum theater personalities S.G.Kittappa and K.B.Sundarambal, director Vasanthabalan has said his script is not inspired by any true incident.

Revealing more details about the film the director said, Siddharth plays the lead role of Thalaivankottai Kaliappa Bhagavathar while Prithviraj is his competitor Melaichivapuri Gomathi Nayagam Pillai. Both characters are equally talented and handsome belonging to the same age group and the film deals with the competition between them. Both actors have same guru played by Nasser.

Vasanthabalan however, admits that Nasser’s character has been inspired by Sankardas Swamigal, considered as the Father of Modern Tamil Theater. Also the character Ganakokila Vadivambal played by Vedhika has been inspired by K.B.Sundarambal.

Vasanthabalan has said there was no technical difficulty while shooting the film when compared to his previous period flick ‘Aravaan’. He said it was a delight to watch all the actors performing in the film. He also thanked Siddharth and said without him the project would not have been possible.

‘Kaaviya Thalaivan’ has musical score by A.R.Rahman and writer Jeyamohan has penned the dialogues.

It's a film that has caught the attention of both film buffs and industry experts. Director Vasantabalan's Kaaviya Thalaivan, has certainly been the topic of discussion for quite a while now. Times of India caught up with director Vasantabalan for a one-on-one interview.

That is not true. This is a film on drama and theatre artistes in the early 20th century. It is about the lives of two actors in a small drama troupe. The entire film is based on these two characters and the competition that exists between them. Siddharth plays the lead role of Thalaivankottai Kaliappa Bhagavathar while Prithviraj plays his competitor, Melachivilberi Gomathi Nayagam Pillai. The film is about the competition that prevails between two equally handsome and skilled actors in the same age group. Both actors have the same guru or teacher, played by Nasser sir. At this point, I need to admit that his character, Thavathiru Sivadas Swamigal, and the character of Vedhika are inspired by real-life legends. While Nasser's character is modeled on Thavathiru Sankaradas Swamigal, considered the father of Tamil theatre, Vedhika plays Ganakokilam Vadivambal, which has been inspired by KB Sundarambal. I admire both these legends and therefore have fashioned their characters on them.

One night, I was having a conversation with writer Jeyamohan when the topic veered towards old drama schools that were based in Madurai. The discussion was so interesting that it lasted the entire night. By the end of it, I learnt that several film actors had come to cinema from such schools. Jeyamohan also mentioned a book called Enathu Naadaga Vazhkai by Avvai Shanmugham at that point. I made an effort to trace and read it. By doing so, I got to know of several interesting incidents involving theatre artists and their lives and that led me to ask myself the question, why not make a movie on theatre artists? It has been a long time since we had such a film. Director K Vishwanath made films like Shankarabharanam and Salangai Oli and I've always wanted to make a film like him. That is how Kaaviya Thalaivan's script was born.

Technically, there were none. I previously made Aravaan, which was tough. Compared to that, this was nothing. It was a delight to watch all these actors in action. I need to thank both Siddharth and Prithviraj for different reasons. I need to thank Siddharth because this project wouldn't have been possible in the first place if a seasoned actor hadn't agreed to play the lead part. I need to thank Prithvi because despite having made it to the league of superstars there in Kerala, he agreed to play a negative role. 

Manigandan K R