Director Pandiraj’s Kathakali, which will take on three other big films at the box office this Pongal, features actor Vishal and Catherine Tresa in the lead. The film has triggered a lot of interest for many reasons and has a number of firsts to its credit. One, this is the first time Vishal has teamed up with director Pandiraj. This is also the first time Vishal and Catherine Tresa have worked together. Finally, this is Pandiraj’s maiden venture at directing a thriller.
“This film was completed very quickly. Pandiraj is systematic and is a great planner. We planned to release the film for Diwali but because of the Nadigar Sangam elections, I couldn’t go for shooting continuously. So it took us 62 days,” explains Vishal.
The film, which is about a murder, has a running time of a little over 120 minutes. “The events happen in a day and they begin in Chennai and end in Cuddalore. This film does not have any message to society. It is purely an entertainer that will be thrilling,” says Vishal, who also opens up on ‘his look’ he sports in this film.
“Actually, I had done an ad for Thums Up. Pandiraj who saw that ‘get up’ felt that I should retain the same look for this film, which is what I did. We needed a changeover and therefore chose to go ahead with this,” he adds. Vishal is all-set to watch the film that will hit screens on January 14.
Vishal, who worked with director Bala in Avan Ivan, has previously said that he has immense respect for the director. This Pongal, Kathakali will be taking on Bala’s film Thaarai Thappaattai at the box office. “On January 14, I will be watching Bala sir’s film first. Then, I’ll watch Kathakali,” he admits candidly. The film industry had been witnessing a slump as the number of movie-goers going to watch films in theatres had decreased. Vishal agrees and says he is relieved it has ended. “Movie-watching is back in Tamil Nadu. There was a major slump and thankfully, now it’s over. More screens are coming up. The situation has changed for the better,” says Vishal.
However, Vishal is concerned about pirated videos and says the film industry must come together to put an end to the problem.