*Press conference of Ameer-starrer ‘Maayavalai’ directed by Ramesh Balakrishnan*
The press meet of director Ameer-starrer ‘Maayavalai’, directed by Ramesh Balakrishnan and produced by Ameer Film Corporation and presented by Director Vetrimaaran’s Grass Root Film Company, was held in Chennai on Sunday (November 5).
Starring Sathya, Sanchita Shetty, Saran, Dheena, Vincent Ashokan and ‘Dhaya’ Senthil in pivotal roles, the film is co-produced by Rajendran (Vapo), A.R. Jaffar Sadiq (JSM Pictures) and Sardar. Music is by Yuvan Shankar Raja, cinematography by Ramjee and editing by S.P. Ahmed, while Veeramani Ganesan has handled the art direction, Snehan has penned lyrics, Pradeep Dinesh is in charge of stunts and Gopi Prasanna for the designs.
With the final phase work of ‘Maayavalai’ going on in full swing, the film’s press conference was held with participation of the movie’s crew. Following are the highlights of the event:
Co-producer Rajendran said…
This is my first stage, thanks to Ameer brother for giving me this opportunity. Ameer and I are ardent Kamal fans. We always talk about him. Thanks to Snehan for taking me to Ameer and Kamal sir. I became part of this movie since I just wanted to work with Ameer. I wish Ameer and Vetrimaaran to make a series like ‘Narcos’ and we should also be part of it. Hope it happens, thank you everyone.
Actor Dheena said…
I have acted in many films. I would get to act in one or two scenes, but Vetrimaaran changed it. I learned a lot from him while working in ‘Vada Chennai’. I am not a stuntman, I am a supporting actor. I wanted to learn acting. I wanted to learn it in places like Koothuppattarai. But acting in Vetrimaran sir’s film itself was a great learning experience. Same goes for Ameer sir too. Both taught me a lot. Ameer is like my brother. He treats me like a family member. Everyone who worked on this film are friends. ‘Maayavalai’ is a very good movie, everyone should watch and support, thank you.
Actor Vincent Ashokan said…
Meeting Ameer was a big moment in my life. What we both have in common is our love for cinema. He always respects me. My performance with Ameer in Vetrimaaran sir’s ‘Vada Chennai’ is still everyone’s favorite. ‘Maayavalai’ is a different movie. I am happy that Vetrimaran is releasing this.
Producer Jaffar said…
The film started during my casual chat with Ameer. This is perhaps the only movie in Ameer’s career to complete shooting in 40 days. His next film is also our venture. Our conversation is always lively. We would talk only about cinema. It is a pride to travel with him.
Actor Saran said…
It is an honour to share this platform with everyone. My first thanks to Vetrimaaran sir. ‘Vada Chennai’ changed my life. Everyone who casts me would talk about ‘Vada Chennai’. Thanks to Vetrimaaran for that opportunity. ‘Maayavalai’ was like a reunion of many friends seen in ‘Vada Chennai’. Thanks to Ramesh Balakrishnan sir for giving me this opportunity.
Actress Sanchita Shetty said…
Support from journalist friends is needed for ‘Maayavalai’. Samuthirakani sir told me one day that Ameer wanted to meet me after watching ‘Vinodhaya Sitham.’ That’s how ‘Maayavalai’ happened to me. This movie was made during Covid time. The team took very good care of me. I have acted very boldly, please watch and give your feedback. Arya’s younger brother Sathya has acted with me in this flick and performed very well. I learned a lot while acting with Ameer sir. He has also acted brilliantly. Ramjee has shown us all well. Thanks to Vetrimaaran sir for joining this film. My thanks to the entire team.
Lyricist Snehan said…
Ameer sir and I have been working together for many years, all the songs we have collaborated on so far have been well received by the audience. I have seen this film, and I hope this film will have a big impact on people. Ameer sir has not only acted well in this film but also looks very handsome. Having worked with him for many years, I hope this bond will continue to grow. Director Vetrimaaran joining us is a big strength. I hope this film will plant a meaningful seed in the hearts of people. Please give your support to this film.
Actor Sathya said…
I have acted in this film after a big break. When I don’t know what to do, I would go to Ameer sir’s office every day. Then he gave me this opportunity through Ramesh sir. I hope this is my beginning. Thank you all for your support.
Cinematographer Ramjee said…
No one should have inferiority complex. Let your talent do the talking. I am always the enemy of Ameer’s acting. I feel that a good filmmaker should not act, but Vetrimaaran changed it with ‘Vada Chennai’. Ameer has acted beautifully in this film too. A request to Vetrimaaran, please don’t go to acting.
Director Ramesh Balakrishnan said…
I have done this film after a very long break, thanks to Ameer for the opportunity. Vetrimaaran showed Ameer as Rajan in ‘Vada Chennai’. In this film I have showed another kind of Rajan. You will be surprised to see it, Ameer’s performance is fantastic. It is nice to see a serious and sincere filmmaker like Vetrimaaran releasing this film.
Director-actor Ameer said…
The root-cause of ‘Maayavalai’ is director Ramesh Balakrishnan. Senior journalists know him. He made the wonderful film ‘Adharmam’. He directed many leading actors. I have a longtime friendship with him. I wanted to work as his assistant, but his journey changed. He ventured into TV field. But his desire is to do cinema. One fine day I invited him to make a film, we told this story to many heroes, but it didn’t happen. At one point of time, he wanted me to act and that’s how ‘Maayavalai’ happened.
We had a budget in mind when we started this film, but it got out of hand. Many people came to my help. This is for the first time I am meeting you after completing a film. This is new to me. I informed Vetrimaaran about ‘Maayavalai’ when we started it. And I screened the film to him after the shoot was over. He said he would release it on his banner. We are proud that a filmmaker like Vetrimaran, who knows today’s cinema business, is releasing our film.
Yuvan Shankar Raja, who has always supported me in all my films, has scored the music for this movie as well. Initially there were no songs, but now there are three songs. Yuvan has done a brilliant job. Sanchita Shetty is extremely talented and has given her best to this film. Though the shoot was at night, she actively participated without any complaints. This film will be very important for its protagonist. Vincent was supposed to act in my first film, but then acted in ‘Yogi’.
Dheena is a very nice human being. In ‘Maayavalai’, he has performed very well as a policeman. Pradeep’s stunts will be talked about. Art director Veeramani did a wonderful job. Ramjee has been the cinematographer for all my films, and he has beautifully captured this story during night. Editor Ahmed, a wonderful talent introduced by my late friend Jananathan, continues to work with me. ‘Maayavalai’ has taken shape very well, watch it please and give your feedback. My desire is to cast Vetri in my film as protagonist.
Director Vetrimaaran said…
Acting and directing are two different departments and only a few people can excel in both. As of now, I don’t have interest in acting. We were in talks with many actors to play Rajan character in ‘Vada Chennai’ but finally it went to Ameer. Though he had some doubts over whether the character would suit him, he did it just for me. Our friendship has gained strength ever since. We talk a lot about everything.
‘Maayavalai’ narrates a beautiful story about human emotions. Dheena is a great actor. He is the same before and behind the camera, that’s his strength. Everyone has done well in this movie. Ramesh and Ameer will always be seen together. Ramesh’s comments about my films are very helpful. He has done this movie well. ‘Maayavalai’ is a very satisfying experience. I liked this movie and hope you all too will like it.
