Report: Janani K
As we were waiting at the dimly-lit RKV Studios for the press meet of Orange Mittai, listening to the cast and crew answering questions posed by journalists, Vijay Sethupathi arrived at the venue sporting a beard – and a bored look.
The press meet then began with the screening of the trailer – a unique one, at that – and a couple of songs.
Theeradha En Aasaigal was a breezy number, and another song sung by Vijay Sethupathi featured him as a clown with a siren on his head (in line with the theme of the movie, which follows events that unfold over the course of two days in an ambulance).
What we loved? The song also had the actor in V for Vendetta masks.
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Ramesh Thilak, Vijay Sethupathi, Aaru Bala and Aashritha play the lead roles in this Biju Vishwanath directorial. Vijay Sethupathi has donned multiple roles in this film – as actor, producer, lyricist, dialogue writer and story writer.
Actor Aaru Bala was all praises for Vijay Sethupathi’s ‘humble nature’. “For the first time, I have been roped in to play a comedy role in a movie. I had asked Vijay Sethupathi anna if I can do a role in this movie – he said I have to take up the screen test and assured me that he would sign me up if my performance lived up to his expectations. Thankfully, it did. I had to beef up for my role and I am happy about the outcome.”
Actor Ramesh Thilak, who is known for his realistic performances, seemed quite serious when he was asked to talk. He apologized for arriving late and seemed overwhelmed about the fact that Orange Mittai is his first film as a solo lead. Ramesh also added that he could connect to the story very well and guaranteed that this film would be ‘a landmark in his career’.
Music director Justin Prabhakaran, however, surprised us with a punch dialogue about director Biju and actor Vijay Sethupathi. He said, “Biju and Vijay different ah think pannardha vida avanga thinking eh different ah irukum.”
The silent and poised Biju was a man of few words. He wasn’t someone to talk about his movies on stage; so instead, he thanked colorist G Balaji who played a considerable role in the outcome of Orange Mittai. About his relationship with Vijay Sethupathi, he said, “There are a few relationships that go beyond cinema. Such is my relationship with Vijay Sethupathi.”
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Vijay Sethupathi, who later took to the stage, declared that he is more apprehensive than he was during the release of his first movie. Talking about the journey of Orange Mittai, Vijay Sethupathi revealed that he approached several producers with the script of the movie, but all of them wanted commercial elements in it. “This is one of the reasons why I produced the movie along with B Ganesh,” he said.
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Orange Mittai is a story that talks about the relationship between a dad and his son. Vijay Sethupathi, Biju Vishwanath and Ramesh Thilak were instantly reminded of their fathers when they heard the script.
Highlights from Vijay Sethupathi’s speech:
1. “My character in the movie is not modelled on my father, but it was inspired by him.
2. I had to sit for one-and-a-half hours for my make-up to get done.
3. We had arranged auditions for the role of an old man, but we couldn’t zero in on a perfect find. So, we decided to try out the make-up on me.
4. I don’t think playing an 80-year-old man would tarnish my image.
5. There are no flashbacks in the movie, and newcomer Aashritha has been paired opposite Ramesh Thilak.
6. I would love to direct a movie, however, I don’t think I am eligible to become one. I will surely try if I get a good script, though.
7. I will definitely cast actor Sivakarthikeyan in my production if he wishes to act in it.”
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