Actor and choreographer Harikumar will make his directorial debut with the movie Theal to be produced by KE Gnanavel Raja for Studio Green. Prabhu Deva will play the protagonist in the film, the story of which is written by the director.
Known for his performances in Thoothukudi and Madurai Sambhavam, Harikumar made his acting debut in 1994 with the movie Ilaignar Agni. However, he has choreographed and appeared as a supporting dancer in more than 100 movies.
Theal is set in Koyambedu and will see the actor unleash his famed dancing skills. Harikumar, who has previously assisted Prabhu Deva in dance choreography, says that their collaboration will involve a lot of dance. “It won’t be coordinated dance movements. Dance is a part of all our lives. It isn’t always rehearsed. Since the movie we’re doing is so rooted in Chennai, we will of course use dance as a storytelling technique.”
“Prabhu Deva has done a lot of dance based films before, and I understand the need to do something different. So I have taken a lot of effort to research the dance forms of Tamil Nadu, specifically the unstructured movement that we see on the streets. I will create movements for Sir from this, so as to give a unique twist to his screen personality. The overall intent is to make a good masala film.”
Harikumar is quick to add that this is a pure commercial film. Though Theal marks his directorial debut, he might even work out a role for himself in the film. “But I am not focusing on that. If the script allows it, I will appear for a few minutes. My full focus will be on the direction, however. So I am not sure how it will all pan out.”
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Harikumar made his acting debut a few years ago. Theal marks his directorial debut, and yes, he might even work out a role for himself in the film. “But I am not focussing on that. If the script allows it, I will appear for a few minutes. My full focus will be on the direction.”
C Sathya, who rose to fame with his songs for the movie Engeyum Eppodhum, has been roped in to compose music for Theal.
K L Praveen, a regular associate of director Venkat Prabhu and the man behind movies like RX100 and Kabali is the editor of the film.
“We are in the process of casting major roles in the project. To that end, we haven’t finalised the female lead as yet. We will announce the cast and crew soon,” Harikumar added.
Prabhu Deva has already had three releases this year with Gulaebaghavali, Mercury and Lakshmi and has Yung Mung Sun, Pon Manickavel, Charlie Chapline 2 in varying stages of production.