The makers and technicians of Puli met the press at a private hotel in Chennai yesterday to share some interesting snippets about the film and extend invitations for the audio launch which is scheduled to happen on August 2nd in Confluence Resorts and Banquets, Mahabalipuram.
We have compiled the speeches and also gathered few interesting information about the film which is slated to hit the screens on September 17th for the Vinayagar Chaturthi weekend.
VFX Supervisor RC Kamalakannan
National award-winning VFX supervisor RC Kamalakannan is spearheading the CG work for the film across six countries. Experts from Russia, Ukraine, Sweden, Bulgaria, Netherlands and Italy are working on the film. A part of work is also happening in Chennai and Bangalore. “Chimbudevan has approved 2200 VFX shots out of 2700 shots we had discussed earlier. VFX is a never-ending process. If we want to make rectifications, we can do it till the last minute of the release. For Magadheera and Naan EE (Kamalakanna won the national award for both the films), we released a blu-ray version post the film’s release which had more corrections. More than 150 VFX artists are part of this mammoth project. We are hopeful of finishing the work before the first week of September to ensure release on September 17th,” said Kamalakannan. Interestingly, RC Kamalakkannan worked with Vijay for the song ‘Oru Ponnu Onnu Naan Paarthen’ in Kushi which had minimal graphics work.
Director Chimbudevan
This film will be a really special one to me. I thank Vijay sir wholeheartedly for providing me this opportunity. He accepted this film for the belief he had in the script. Puli should not be compared with Baahubali. As an Indian, I feel proud about the success of Baahubali. Puli will be a different kind of entertainer. Our film is a fantasy action adventure.
Chimbudevan refuted to answer questions about whether the film is based on time travel and set during the period of Chola dynasty. He also confirmed that the makers are planning to release the film on September 17th.
Music composer Devi Sri Prasad
Chimbudevan is not just a director. There is an artist in him. He sketched how everyone in the film will look even before the shooting started. I was awestruck with his depictions which captured everyone’s costumes too perfectly. I was invited to the film’s shooting on the first day. I was amazed at the grandeur they brought alive on the floors. We are going to start the background score for the film soon. This will be one of the grandest films in Tamil cinema.
Cinematographer Nataraj
I got this project only because of Ilayathalapathy Superstar Vijay. I worked in Thuppakki for a song. Vijay sir then told me that he is going to act in a novel script soon and added that I should work in the film. I immediately nodded. After that, he asked me to listen to the story narrated by Chimbudevan. I was very happy to be a part of the project. For the 140 days we shot for the film, our producers provided everything we needed.
Art director Muthuraj
Chimbudevan is an artist and he used to give perfect sketches of everything before hand. There will not be many corrections from the version he gives and the one we erect finally for the shot. But he never interrupted in my creative freedom. Fantasy films always offer a lot of scope for art directors. I have tried a lot in the film.
Producers Shibu Thameens and PT Selvakumar
“”Each song and tune will be of different genre in the album. DSP has used different instruments for each song. Sri Devi initially did not accept the film. Later, we got in touch with Boney Kapoor and made her listen to the story. She was impressed and said yes to the film,” said Shibu Thameens.
“Everything has been a surprise. The moment Vijay sir asked me and Shibu Thameens to produce this film was unforgettable. The way Chimbudevan came forward to do such a brilliant film also remains incredible for us. The all-star cast the film managed to assemble is mainly because of the script. It is what united them under one roof. In Puli, you will witness a never-seen-before spectacle in a Vijay film. It will be a milestone film in Vijay’s career,” said PT Selvakumar.