Dhanush’s Anbu takes centrestage in the recently-released teaser for Vada Chennai, unveiled to commemorate his 35th birthday. Director Vetrimaaran offers viewers glimpses into the life of a local carrom champ as he transforms into someone who defends North Madras with his sweat and blood.
Comparisons with Dhanush’s seminal work – Pudhupettai, directed by his brother Selvaraghavan – are inevitable. Both films seem to have similarities, but only at the surface level. Vetrimaaran’s sensibilities inhabit a different spectrum from those of Selvaraghavan. And, this should take care of the issue.
The stage is also set for the film’s other leads – actors Kishore, Samuthirakani and Ameer – to make their presence felt. The teaser lingers longer on Andrea Jeremiah, who plays Rajan’s (Ameer) spouse Chandra in the movie. Aishwarya Rajesh plays Padma, a girl in love with Anbu.
Santhosh Narayanan’s background score is appropriately eerie as the story turns into one of bloodshed. Not much is known about Anbu or the circumstances that motivate him to enter the world of crime. We have to wait for the trilogy to figure that out.
The most interesting image from the teaser is the last one, in which a bloody knife is thrown onto a table that holds a water jug and several other commonplace items. This is life in North Madras, the filmmaker seems to hint. And, it definitely creates a clearer picture of what lies ahead.
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Vada Chennai is said to traverse a time period of about three decades and begins in the Madras of the 1980s. The film will not only focus on Dhanush’s gangster, but also delve into the lives of people living in a village in North Madras. Vetrimaaran has written and conceived of Anbu’s world. Cinematography is by Velraj (he also directed Dhanush in Velaiyilla Pattadhaari and Thangamagan), whose has lent the teaser a gritty tone. The trailer is expected to be unveiled soon.