3:33, the upcoming Tamil film starring choreographer Sandy and filmmaker Gautham Vasudev Menon in the lead roles, is a full-fledged horror film with no comedy track, songs or action sequences, director Nambikkai Chandhru told Silverscreen India.
Sandy is primarily known for his work as a choreographer in films like Kaala, Sarvam Thaala Mayam and Sandakozhi 2. He began his acting career with Ivanuku Thannila Gandam, the 2015 Indian Tamil comedy film in which he played a supporting role. 3:33 marks his debut as a lead actor.
Noting that the film is designed for an ‘edge-of-the-seat thrilling experience’, Chandhru, who marks his directorial debut with 3:33, said, “Our motive is to incite fear in the audience. Some might think that there will be comic elements since Sandy, who is known as a jovial artist, is starring in it. But, the film will not have any deviations from the horror story, which follows the protagonist played by Sandy and the paranormal activities encountered by him when the clock strikes 3:33.”
The director also revealed that Gautham Menon plays the role of a paranormal investigator in the film.
Produced by Bamboo Trees Productions, the film also features actors Saravanan, Rama, Reshma Pasupuleti, Mime Gopi and Shruthi Selvam.
Briefly talking about the genesis of the film, Chandru said that 3:33 is inspired by true events. “In 2009, I had experienced a few paranormal events at this particular time, 3:33. And I have incorporated that experience in the first scene of the teaser. After watching the teaser, many people have dropped comments saying that they have also experienced something similar.”
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The film’s teaser was released on Sunday and it shows the protagonist experiencing what appears to be sleep paralysis.
“Later, I shared what happened with my friends and it spooked them too. That discussion sparked the idea to make a film based on the incident. However, 3:33 is not completely based on true events. We have added a lot of fictional elements to make it cinematic,” the director added.
The film was shot in December 2020, after the lockdown restrictions were relaxed in the state. “It was mostly shot indoors at a house. We are currently in the last stage of post-production. The film’s release will be decided after assessing the situation once theatres reopen,” Chandru said.