Director Gireesaaya’s Adithya Varma, which marks the debut of actor Vikram’s son, Dhruv Vikram, as a hero in Tamil cinema, has received a heartwarming and tremendous response from audiences.
The film, which released on November 22, took a grand opening and is running to full houses across the state.
Dhruv Vikram’s performance in the film has not only won the hearts of audiences but also that of the critics. His performance has come in for praise from various quarters.
In a bid to express their gratitude to both fans and the media for their support to the film, the team of Adithya Varma organised a press conference at a prominent star hotel in the city on Sunday.
Participating in the meet and greet event, cinematographer-cum-actor Dhanush, who played one of Dhruv’s friends in the film, said, “When I saw this film in Telugu, I was so impressed by it. I too wanted to work in an emotional film like this. When I got an opportunity to work in this film, I was excited. I am a cinematographer. But suddenly Vikram sir one day said, “You do this role. On my first day, I couldn’t even walk straight. But then, slowly, I began to learn and do well.”
Dhanush, while heaping praises on actor Dhruv, said, “Initially, I didn’t expect much from Dhruv because he too is debuting with this film. But when I saw him act in the drug scene, I was overwhelmed. I realised that this guy was a real talent and it is not without reason that they were rating him high.”
Speaking on the occasion, music director Radhan said, “Thanks to my mom. She is the reason for all the stages that I am on today. I am basically a sound engineer.
All the claps we get have to go to Vikram sir. One year ago, Dhruv and I were wondering what to do. It was because of Vikram sir that we are here today. More than us, it was Vikram sir who worked on this film. Gireesaaya is one of the most patient directors. He is someone who encouraged me. Today, everybody we meet says that Dhruv has acted so well in this film. This gives me great joy. Had it not been for Shaurya sir and Vikram sir, this project would not have happened. All the appreciation we get for this film must go to Vikram sir and all the credit for hard work must go to Dhruv.”
Actor Anbu, who spoke next on the occasion, said, “This is a dream come true. This film has helped me move to a strong position. I wish to thank the entire team. I only had one thing in mind when starting this film. I knew this role had a freshness and I was intent on not spoiling it. Think, I have done justice to my role.”
The co-director of the film, Shaurya, while speaking on the occasion, said, “I thank Gireesaaya. Both of us have journeyed together for almost five years before this film and I wanted to see him as a director. I am very happy for him.”
Shaurya also went on to add that it had been a privilege to work with Vikram who is a big star in Telugu as well. “We have to give him credit for all 24 crafts. Vikram sir is the world’s best father. I thank the whole crew of Adithya Varma,” he said.
Director Gireesaaya, who spoke next, said, ” I am very happy. The audience response is super. I thank Vikram sir. Without Vikram sir, there is no Adithya Varma. We got extraordinary reports about Dhruv’s performance. He deserves it. A new star was born on November 22 and that is Dhruv.”
Actor Dhruv began his speech on a light note. He said, “These days, nobody tells me that there is a press meet. They knock on my door and ask me to accompany them. Later, they reveal to me that I have to meet the press.”
Speaking about the overwhelming response he has received for his fine performance in Adithya Varma, Dhruv said, “This response is a new feeling.I do not know what to say. I feel happy when I think that this is what we were waiting for for two years. When a film does well, everybody talks about the hero. Adithya Varma is about me but then, I am just 20 per cent of it. This film would not have been possible if it were not for the efforts of this team. I wish to thank my Kalai maama and Kadhir maama, both of whom have been with me from the time I was a child. Without them, none of this would be possible. Kalai maama too has acted in this film.
“The music director has put in a lot of hard work. Gireesaaya sir is a very good and hardworking technician. He has worked on so many great films and now he has directed a film. I was a little hesitant to act in front of cinematographer Dhanush because he has worked as an assistant cinematographer in Bollywood. I would wonder what he would think of me if I acted in a certain fashion. However, we got along well. Shaurya sir is a hardworker. If he makes movies, I am sure they will go onto become blockbusters just because of his hardwork. He is like a brother to me.
“The strongest asset of this film is Anbudasan. Everybody in my family says, ‘Dhruv you have acted well but this movie is nothing without Anbudasan.’ The chemistry between us is not because we are good actors but because we are good friends,” Dhruv said about actor Anbu, who had played his friend in the film.
“Usually, when a film succeeds people talk about the hero alone but without these people, there is no film,” Dhruv said.
Talking about his father, Vikram, Dhruv said, “When I see the film I don’t see myself. I see my dad. Whatever is good, my dad has made me do and those scenes that aren’t great have been done by me. I love my father and cinema. I will not take the credit for the success of this film. It goes to all of these people. My dad is the best actor according to me but he is an even better father. My dad has been giving his body and soul for this film. For the last 10 months, he has not been working on his films to help me. Had he got a project like this when he was 22, he would have been at a different level altogether.”
The young hero also thanked his producer Mukesh on the occasion. ” I thank Mukesh sir without whom I would not have got this opportunity.”
Speaking next, actor Vikram said, “One of the Tamil publications had carried these lines in their review of the film. ‘Yesterday, Dhruv was Chiyaan Vikram’s son. Today, Chiyaan Vikram is Dhruv’s father, Sabaash!!’ I felt really happy reading those lines. Nothing can make a father more proud. The entire media fraternity has appreciated Dhruv and the film and I am immensely thankful to all of you. All of you have been a big strength. I am touched and honoured.”
The actor then went on to speak about five important factors.
“The first is Sandeep Vanga. His story is so wonderful. I love you Sandeep for this. Thank you for creating such a wonderful script. The second is producer Mukesh. Just looking at a dubsmash that Dhruv did when he was 13 or 14 years, Mukesh sir chose to come and ask us to allow him to cast Dhruv. Therefore, I wish to offer a very big thanks to Mukesh sir. Dhruv and I will always indebted to him,” Vikram said.
“The third is cinematographer Ravi K Chandran. Ravi’s aesthetic sense and the support he has provided have been a big strength. The fourth is actor Anbu,” Vikram said.
The actor laughingly said, “I tortured Anbu. Actually, I tortured everybody. I would keep telling him that this film would take him places. While Rajasekar wrote the dialogues for the entire film, I wanted Vinod Maari to write Anbu’s sequences as I wanted it to be humourous. That is why you find his portions funnier when compared to the other versions. Anbu has done his role well. He hesitated in the scene where he had to slap my son, but then, he eventually got it right.
“Finally, the fifth factor is my fans. A big thanks to all my fans as they gave the same response to my son’s film as they would to my film. My fans are very important. The biggest contribution was made by directors Gireesaaya and Shaurya. Gireesaaya was the co-director of Mahanati and Arjun Reddy. They are so hardworking. Gireesaaya is going to become one of the biggest directors. I wish to congratulate him now itself. Without Shaurya, I wouldn’t have been able to connect with anyone. The whole team has done a great job. Hats off to my Assistant Directors. I am very proud. It is a beautiful launch,” Vikram said.
Distributor Shakthivel of Shakthi Film Factory, said,”The waiting time for Adithya Varma was long. I loved Arjun Reddy. That was how, I got into Adithya Varma. After this film, we now have Dhruv, a hero who is in his 20s and who can be cast in a big budget film. Producer Mukesh sir enjoyed making this movie. Very happy to have been a part of this film.”B.YUVRAAJ (P.R.O)
