Soundarya Rajnikanth, the youngest daughter of superstar Rajnikanth, is ready with Velai Illa Pattadhaari 2 (VIP 2), releasing world over on August 11 and in the UAE on August 10. This is her sophomore attempt at direction after Kochadaiiyaan, an animated period film that became the first in the history of Indian cinema to be shot with motion-capture technology.
VIP 2, a sequel to the blockbuster VIP released in 2015, is commercial fare at its best.
In an interview with Gulf News tabloid!, Rajnikanth breaks down VIP 2 for its viewers. Following are excerpts:
Kochadaiiyaan versus VIP 2
“Every director is attached to every film he or she makes. Every film is a child and you put your heart and soul into it. Kochadaiiyaan is my first baby and I am proud to say that Kochadaiiyaan will always be known as the first film in Indian history to use motion-capture technology. There were many challenges in its making and in trying to explain the technology to people. I put in so much effort and when it was not well received it hurt. VIP 2 is a live action film and the process of making is different from that of Kochadaiiyaan. It’s a dream come true to work with senior performers like Kajol and Dhanush in my first live action film. The experience was amazing.”
Challenges of a sequel
“Comparisons with the first part is always inevitable with a sequel. I believe that every project finds its way. Dhanush who has written the story of VIP 2 discussed it with me and for two to three days I wondered: ‘Can I? Should I?’ A sequel comes with a lot of baggage, but I was confident of pulling it off because I believed in the script. It’s an extended version of Raghuvaran’s life. In part two, we have maintained and retained the street-smart Raghuvaran from part one — the witty guy everyone could relate to. Now Raghuvaran is not an unemployed graduate only, he is married too. What are the new challenges he faces make up part two. VIP is a franchise that is never going to go and if given a chance I would love to direct VIP 3 and VIP 4, too. I love Raghuvaran, his world, and his family.”
Kajol as Vasundhara
“Every time a character is formed on paper, you visualise who could play the character. While discussing this story with Dhanush sir, Kajol ma’am was the first person who came to my mind as Vasundhara Parameshwar. Vasundhara is a stylish, confident and self-made woman. As a director, I wanted someone who could be just that. I can’t visualise anybody else other than Kajol as Vasundhara. She was Vasundhara not just when the camera was rolling but even after the takes. She has her own sensibilities and I am happy that Vasundhara convinced her to do Vasundhara.”
Directing Kajol
“We met her and I narrated the entire script to her but her reaction did not give me an answer then. I came home and those 48 hours of waiting was crazy. Two days later, Dhanush called me to say that Kajol ma’am had agreed to do the film.
She found speaking Tamil very difficult. We had told her that she would have very few lines in Tamil but that got stretched to some more, contrary to her expectations. [Laughs.] We did not cheat her. I used to describe every scene and explain every Tamil line to her in English. I guided her on the modulation for Tamil words. Her first scene was with Dhanush and she got it right in Tamil. She is a sport and full of energy. Her dedication to learning the lines is beyond what I can explain. There was one particular scene, with a lengthy dialogue and I was particular about doing the shot in one take. She learnt the lines and delivered it in one long shot. We cut it in a single shot.”
Working with Dhanush
“We are best friends when we are not working together. In fact, we are often talking about stories and characters. We are creatively compatible. A relationship between a writer and director is similar to that between a music composer and a lyricist. There are two creative minds here and there will be creative differences. However, in the beginning we decided to agree to disagree. We both gave our inputs and met at a common point as writer and director to do what’s best for the film. Dhanush is a senior actor and more experienced. So there were times when I accepted that he knew better. Once we locked the script, he gave me full freedom. Having directed a film himself, he knows that there can be only one captain of the ship.”
Music composer Sean Roldon versus Anirudh
“Every project demands its own set of technicians. I was given a free hand to pick my team. It’s a new team. This project needed a sound that I felt Shaun would be able to deliver. However, we have retained tunes from the first part composed by Anirudh to remind viewers of part one.”
Gender discrimination
“I did not encounter anything like that with VIP 2. I worked with senior actors namely Vivek and Samudrakani, both accomplished performers. There was no point where I was made to feel like a new director or a woman. Kani Anna, [Samudrakani] who is a producer, director, and an award-winning actor would keep checking with me if I was happy with his shot.”
Women in cinema
“The idea that a female director can only make women-centric stories is just not right. It’s not male or female but the subject and the vision that counts. I wish to see this broken soon. I also wish to see more women in this industry, not merely in the costume department but in spheres like editing, cinematography and more. I was particular in balancing my team with more women as production designers and assistant directors. The change is slowly happening.”
Producing versus directing
“I started off as a producer with Tamil film Goa. But I like being a director more than a producer, as I am a creative person. Direction gives that creativity. I have always been a visual person. In my mind, everything runs as visuals not as a text.”
Acting dreams
“There were acting offers couple of years ago but I did not take it up. But if something good comes up, why not? It’s such a creative and evolving industry to be in. Of course, I am open to acting.”
Juggling family and work
My mother is a super-duper babysitter. After raising two girls she is now taking care of three grandsons [sister Aishwarya’s two sons and Soundarya’s son]. I am grateful to her. Without her support, I cannot be a working woman.”
Up next
“I would like to work with a few people from the industry. I have a wish list that includes Ajith [Tamil actor]. It’s the script that will ultimately decide.”
Don’t miss it
VIP 2 releases in the UAE on August 10.
