Reporting by Janani K; Photos by Sriram Narasimhan. Photos from the audio launch are below the report.
It’s 9 am. As I make my way to Sathyam Cinemas for Pasanga 2 Haiku’s audio and trailer launch, I can spot a gang of Suriya fans. Waiting impatiently for a glimpse of their hero. I hurriedly walk into the theatre. I can see director Pandiraj instructing his assistants. Light check, sound check. A kid runs across, then another. There’s a group of people practicing on stage. It’s a lazy Saturday morning. I sink into my seat, and the show begins.
The audio and trailer of Pasanga 2 Haiku are soulful and refreshing, perfectly complementing the audience’s relaxed mood. There are also a number of celebrities in attendance: Jothika, Sivakumar, SR Prabhu, Samuthirakani, Ram, Seenu Ramasamy, Prabhu Solomon, Madhan Karky, Na Muthukumar, GV Prakash, Sathish, Hip Hop Adhi, Mohan Raja, Ponram, Karthi, director Vijay, Nasser and Suseenthiran.
The event begins with a violin performance by music director Arrol Corelli, of Pisaasu fame. Then there’s a moving mime act by none other than Mime Gopi. Two songs are played, then the trailer. Pasanga 2 Haiku’s trailer oozes with happiness, as the screen is filled with smiling kids.
Director Pandiraj is known for his unconventional and subtle humour. The prelude to the screening was this message: “VIM: Ingu dhaiyavu seidhu nadigar sangam therdhal pathi pesa vendam.” (“Very Important Message: Please do not talk about the Nadigar Sangam elections here.”)
As he welcomed the guests and audience, Pandiraj said,”We have done about six months of research on ADHD and we met so many doctors before writing this script. We had to be responsible, because it’s a sensitive issue. I wanted to rope in a powerful celebrity to take this message forward. Only I could approach Suriya for a character artist role, and only Suriya would accept such roles even after doing extraordinary films. Suriya, Amala Paul, Karthik Kumar, Bindu Madhavi, Ramadoss and Vidya are character artists in the film. Master Vishesh and baby Nayana are the hero and heroine of Pasanga 2 Haiku. Every actor worked in this movie because of the theme of the film. So much so that till now Bindu Madhavi doesn’t even know what her salary is.”
Directors and actors praised Pandiraj for writing such a fantastic script. Director Seenu Ramasamy had some confessions to make. He said his grandmother had seen actor Sivakumar as Lord Muruga, and society would see Suriya as a teacher after Pasanga 2 Haiku releases. Prabhu Solomon added that Suriya’s name would go down in the history for all the right reasons.
Actor Karthi and director Mohan Raja stressed on the importance of children getting their parents’ full attention. They cautioned that technology and mobile phones have taken the parent’s place. Suriya says he feels like a more responsible person today, and wants to convey this much needed message to everyone, especially parents.
Suriya, who is also one of Pasanga 2 Haiku’s producers said they would be releasing Pasanga 2 Haiku sometime in November.
