At the Raatchasi press meet this week, the film’s lead actor Jyotika stressed on the need for more films that look at state of government schools in Tamil Nadu, and said that with the NEET and other issues in education such films are all the more relevant.
The trailer and first-look of Raatchasi released recently, revealing her role as that of a newly-appointed government school principal who is determined to improve the standards of her school.
Jyotika said she saw on Twitter that many had referred to her as ‘Lady Samuthirakani’ and compared the film to Sattai and Pallikoodam. “Maybe the message is the same, although I think this film treats it is very differently, but what I want to stress on is that even if we make a hundred films that speak of the state of our government schools, it will still be a much-needed discussion,” she said.
Speaking about what she saw at Agaram Foundation, the NGO run by her and Suriya (who also issued a statement about the centre’s new education police recently) she said it was obvious that government schools were poorly managed and its teachers were indifferent. “About half of Tamil Nadu’s students go to government schools and those who come to our foundation tell us their teachers don’t turn up in classrooms for months together. The government is running schools like these, and expecting students to write NEET exams? This is an issue that we need to speak about and the more films we make on this, the better it is.”
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She applauded Raatchasi director Sy Gowthamraj, cinematographer Gokul and others in the team for their dedication and said that Gowthamraj’s clarity right from day 1 was rare for a first time director. “The role I played was a new one for me, and at every point Gowthamraj would urge me to think of how a teacher would respond to the situation,” she said.
She thanked the film’s producers, SR Prabhu and SR Prakashbabu of Dream Warrior Pictures, actress Poornima Bhagyaraj, actor Sathyan, dialogue writer Bharath, and editor Philomin Raj.
She also said she was most satisfied at this point in her career. “It is my second outing, the second climb up the hill. So far, I’ve been approached with some very interesting scripts and I’m also meeting people who are a lot more sensitive and respectful of women. I’m choosing the best scripts among these.”
Jyotika currently has Jackpot co-starring Revathy, a film with Malayalam director Jeethu Joseph, and one with director Fredrick in the pipeline.
Raatchasi will release on July 5.
Watch the trailer here: