Director Aishwarya R Dhanush is hard to get hold of, thanks to her second venture, Vai Raja Vai, which she is currently promoting.
Married to actor Dhanush, the 33-year-old started out in the film industry by assisting her brother-in-law, Selvaraghavan, on the film, Aayirathil Oruvan.
Superstar Rajinikanth’s daughter, she made her directorial debut in 2012 with 3, featuring her husband and Shruti Haasan. After the Kolaveri Di phenomenon and 3 becoming a hit, she decided to take a break and spend time with her two sons-Yatra and Linga. Now she is back and her latest features Gautham Karthik and Priya Anand, among others.
More from the director:
I’m thrilled to bring back the role of Kokki Kumar after nine years. I’m a big fan of Dhanush and I made him reprise the role. He is my lucky charm and I wanted him to do a cameo. He also had a good role in 3 and the film was a big hit.
I don’t think our film industry has tried their hand at the adventure thriller genre. There are traces of Jim Sturgess’s 21 in the film. You’ll get to see a lot of casinos, money and mystery in this one. People think it is based on gambling and is inspired by a video game. I am glad the film is creating a buzz.
I went with my gut feeling for Vai Raja Vai. I think that is how filmmakers should work. I chose the script and cast based on my instincts, though I did take suggestions.
If someone had asked me if I could be a director 10 years ago, I would have declined. But now, people are more open and interested in new ideas. I hope people look at the script and not at who is behind the film. When Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan can work with Zoya Akhtar and Farah Khan, why not actors here? I believe a woman cannot achieve anything if her partner is not supportive. A spouse is always a driving factor and Dhanush has been so supportive.
I don’t share all my scripts with my father. We give each other professional space. I do tell him what I’m working on. That said, my father and Dhanush are my biggest influences. Vai Raja Vai is scheduled to release in May.