The success meet of Kanaa which happened in Chennai recently, was unlike any other. Sathyaraj, known for his acting, and for his sense of humor, said that the press meets today had become ‘thank you’ meets. He missed the fun press meets that happened in his days, he said.
“35 years back we were so enthusiastic about organising meets. We were never in the front, we used to stand behind banners and have fun. The organizers would tell us to be decent, and sit in the front with the big stars,” he said.
The Kanaa success meet was, however, filled with entertainment with songs and dialogues of Vadivelu and Goundamani playing in the background to counter speeches made by the team.
Sathyaraj said they had praised each other enough, and it had become awkward with not much left to say. “Even when Aishwarya Rajesh said she saw her father in me, I didn’t feel emotional. I am really not an emotional person,” he said.
“But about Sivakarthikeyan I will say that he helps his friends without expectation. Siva could have done a commercial film, but he chose to be different. I hope there are a lot more heroine-centric films in the future.”
The protagonist of the film, Sathyaraj’s daughter, is played by Aishwarya Rajesh. She is an aspiring cricketer in the film. She said about working with Sathyraj, “I lost my dad when I was 10. I saw him in Sathyaraj sir. When I told my mom about the film she was so happy that I would get recognition for Kanaa.”
“It’s rare to get an actor without any knowledge of cricket to play a cricketer’s role. I thank Sivakarthikeyan and Arunraja Kamaraj for banking their hopes on me and getting me on-board,” she said. The person on sound lightened the mood by playing a timely Vadivelu counter dialogue – podhumma, chumma vala vala nu pesikittu.
Actress Rama was invited to speak with the MGR song ‘Aada Pirandhavale, Aadi Vaa’. She played Aishwarya’s mother, a stubborn yet caring woman in the film. She said about working with the team, “Aishwarya Rajesh will definitely win awards for her performance. It was fun and unforgettable experience to work on the movie. After many years of aspiration, I got to work with Sathyaraj sir.”
Meanwhile, the director of the film Arunraja Kamaraj gave an emotional speech. He thanked all on the team, and said,
“Siva is the core reason behind everything. Success of Kanaa is three friends’ dream. A big thanks to Sathyaraj sir for all his motivation and positivity. Aishwarya Rajesh is the hero of our film. Not the heroine. Salute to her attitude because she volunteered for the project when she didn’t know cricket. Darshan will be a dream star. When you win, I naturally win.”
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He thanked his assistant directors and said they were his actual directors. Sivakarthikeyan’s daughter Aaradhana who sang ‘Vaayadi Petha Pulla’, was specially thanked. He said the team will continue collaborating for films.
Actor-producer Sivakarthikeyan said Kanaa’s success gave him a confidence boost. “I’m not saying this as a favour to Arunraja. He deserves this success. He gave to me back more than what I did.”
He also said, “Aishwarya Rajesh will have big projects in the future. I would be happy if she gets a National award for this film. And Sathyaraj sir has been a part of important films in my career. Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam was a changing point for me, and he is now a part of Kanaa, my maiden production.”