Pa Ranjith on casting Vikram in Thangalaan: 'I never write for stars'
Filmmaker Pa Ranjith opens up about his experience directing Chiyaan Vikram in Thangalaan.
Vikram in Thangalaan
Once, filmmaker Vetrimaaran gave an accurate description of his contemporary Pa Ranjith, saying something to the effect of, "Ranjith is a politician who makes movies." This is because the politics of discrimination and ways to fight against all types of oppression have become permanent themes in Ranjith's movies. His upcoming movie Thangalaan, starring Chiyaan Vikram, is no exception.
In an upcoming interview, Ranjith opened up about the creative, physical, and financial efforts that have gone into bringing his vision for Thangalaan to reality. He suggested that the movie, even though it is set against the backdrop of British-occupied India, talks about how globalization enslaved and exploited disenfranchised people.
In Thangalaan, Ranjith has dreamt up a tribal hero who is stripped of all glamour and style. With tanned skin, countless scars on his body, and crooked teeth, Vikram has deglamorized himself to an extent that makes him almost unrecognizable.
Ranjith suggested that he was able to create a protagonist like Thangalaan because he doesn't practice writing a movie to suit a particular screen image of a star. "I never write for stars. I believe that's my biggest drawback and also my strength. If you have followed my films, you will know that," he told Film Companion.
"I need an artist who can carry this film, and Vikram put in a lot of hard work and delivered a solid performance," he added.
Thangalaan is said to be the costliest film in Vikram's career. Mounted on a huge scale, Ranjith seems to have blended elements of folklore and modern politics in the era of British supremacy to tell the struggles and valour of oppressed people. The film also stars Malavika Mohanan and Parvathy Thiruvothu in key roles.
Thangalaan is due in cinemas on August 15.
Updated: August 03, 2024 04:23 PM IST
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