The grand audio launch of Amaran took place on Friday (Oct 18th) night at the Sairam College in Chennai, with the entire team getting together. The chief guests for the event were Mani Ratnam and Lokesh Kanagaraj, and the duo praised the team and the content they have seen so far to the zenith.
Speaking at the event, director Mani Ratnam said, “I am very happy that this movie got made, Mukund has saved the lives of many unknown people like us. Now we are all going to get to know about him. Sivakarthikeyan – there are many actors, directors who suddenly come and become a big name. And there are technicians like me – who take it step by step to succeed. You are like me Siva. Sai Pallavi – I’m a big fan of yours, I hope I get to work with you one day.”
Composer GV Prakash said, “I’m honoured to work in Raj Kamal Productions. Kamal sir and Mani Ratnam sir are important reasons for the technical growth of Tamil Cinema. This is my first movie with Sivakarthikeyan. I know him from his Vijay TV days, he works very hard like an AD.”
Actress Sai Pallavi, who has a strong role in the film said, “Before coming to cinema, I didn’t know the names of directors. But Mani Ratnam is the one director’s name I have always known. He is one of the reasons that I’m picky about the scripts and roles I choose. I thought I’m taking time to select films. But it’s been more than 7 years since Rajkumar Periyasamy made his previous film. Sivakarthikeyan is the best choice to act as major Mukund Varadharajan. I just saw a banner outside that said ‘Enga Veettu Chella Pillai’ – which proves the audience will not feel distant about the story. They will own it.”
Director Lokesh Kanagaraj turned up and said, “It’s not a typical festival film. It’s a pride and this film is gonna make us all proud. I recently heard how Kamal sir watched this movie, with a box of tissues as the film was that impactful.”
The film’s director Rajkumar Periyasamy said, “I’ve spent the past 5 years for Amaran, for the research, script and making this film. I’m happy Thanu sir is here. He is my first producer, I worked as an AD in Thuppakki. Vijay TV Mahendran sir is the one who recommended me to AR Murugadoss sir for Thuppakki. This Diwali will be a celebration, as this movie will celebrate the true hero major Mukund Varadharajan. Everybody will talk that we worked so hard to make this film, but one thing which I’m thinking that we are not worthy to say so as me, Sivakarthikeyan are all privileged to live right now. But a family here has lost an important asset, so as Indian army. He is the one who has struggled for real.”
About Sivakarthikeyan, the director said, “Everyone has a question that how did SK become such a big thing now. I knew him from the days he was getting 5000 rupees for 2-3 shows put together. He was living in a small apartment with 9 guys. They will watch all language movies and appreciate them as he is a big Rasigan. I think that is the utmost quality for a hero and that’s why his Rasigar troops are increasing day by day.”
Actor Sivakarthikeyan took to the stage, and spoke in length about the film, saying “I learnt about Mukund sir in the news. But when Rajkumar narrated this story, it was very disturbing. This film was not done because of the ending.. This is about the journey of him. The interval block was shot at night in Kashmir.. Before even saying action they said cut. They came to me and said, “Ipove sudadhiga.. Action sonna apram sudunga..” I said, “Naana sudala.. Kai nadungudhu..” It was that cold. I planned to do this movie as my 25th film. But I could not wait for that long and started this movie right after Maaveeran. Rajkumar Periyasamy was a strict officer in TV itself. In the movie, he was even more strict. I lent myself to him, for my transformation. He sent me to a trainer called Sandeep. Not just in gym, he took me to Mumbai for weapons training.”
About Sai Pallavi, he said, “When Premam released, everybody were raving about it, we went in to see Nivin Pauly movie. Her character intro and theatre was in fire mode, everybody were shouting Malar Teacher. I called and appreciated her, she was like Thank You ANNA, again and again she was mentioning me Anna and I was disappointed with that. She is a brand now.”
Speaking about his motivation during Prince, he said, “2 years ago Prince got released for Diwali. It didn’t do well, reviews were very bad. I realized the movie is a flop and I started identifying its mistakes and how to rectify it in the upcoming movies. By evening, some people started saying his career is over, etc. That night one of my friend invited me for a function. Right after I entered the hall, Thala Ajith sir was there. He welcomed me by saying ‘Welcome to the Big League’. I was wondering for a second why he told that, he said ‘Ungaloda Vettriya Paathu Neraya Peru Poramai Paduranga, Ungaloda Tholviya Paathu Neraya Peru Sandhosha Paduranga – so Welcome to the Big League’.
Sivakarthikeyan also mentioned about his ‘Thuppakki’ moment in GOAT, saying that the ‘anbu’ he received from Thalapathy Vijay was very special.
Amaran is all set to hit the screens on the 31st of October, as a Diwali release!