Urumeen’s tagline — revenge is always ultimate — says it all.
Sakthivel Perumalsamy’s action thriller with an element of fantasy runs through three generations and from the 17th century to the present day.
This year’s Indian National Award-winner Bobby Simha plays the protagonist. Kalaiyarasan (who made people sit up and notice him in Madras) is the antagonist.
“Since the story goes into flashback mode to the British era, both the actors have played two different roles,” explained the director, who, inspired by films of Tamil director Shankar and Telugu director S.S Rajamouli, has made his villain strong. So if the villain is strong, can the protagonist be anything less?
Simha plays a lawyer from the British era; in the contemporary tale he is Selva Kumar, a call-centre professional.
Kalaiyarasan, whose expressive eyes were instrumental in getting the role, said that he juggled between playing two characters: one as a tea boy in the British era and the second as a CEO of a company.
Reshmi Menon is cast opposite Simha in Urumeen.
Urumeen was shot in Chennai and in the forests of Kerala. The animation work was done by a Coimbatore-based company.
Perumalsamy said the title, Urumeen, refers to a cunning fish that gives its predator, the stork, a slip and hides in the water, even as the bird hovers to take a plunge at its prey.
But who is the prey and who is the predator in Urumeen?
Produced by G. Dilli Babu, Urumeen is supported by other actors including Manobala, Appukutty and Charli. Achu has composed music. Cinematography is by Ravindranath Guru.
Urumeen releases in India on December 4.
