Looks like director Ahmed’s next film Manithan, the Tamil remake of Hindi hit Jolly LLB (2013), is ready to hit screens. Sources close to the unit of the film, which features Udhayanidhi Stalin, Hansika and Aishwarya Rajesh in the lead, say that the unit is looking to release the film in April.
When City Express got in touch with Ahmed, he said, “The film is ready and has come out really well. We are considering releasing it on April 29.” He pointed out the Tamil version would have many more elements than the Hindi version.
“It was a challenge because I had to add several elements to the Tamil version without changing the length of the film. I added these elements because I felt they were missing in the Hindi version. Moreover, I have interpreted these elements in a different way in this film. But the soul of the film will remain the same,” he said.
Sources say that Udhayanidhi, who has also produced the film, is pleased with the way it has come out. When asked about this, Ahmed laughed, “He is not only the hero of this film, but also its producer. So, when he is pleased, I have reason to be doubly happy as I have pleased both my hero and producer.”
The film’s songs were shot in Chennai, Pollachi and Challakudy. “The song that was shot at Challakudy in Kerala was a challenge,” Ahmed explained, “It was a happy wedding song, so I wanted people of all ages to be a part of it. We had to take people to the falls. Some of them were elderly and we had to ensure their safety. Some of my technicians, however, sustained injuries while shooting for the song. Shooting that number was a big challenge.”
The other big challenge, Ahmed said, was shooting the courtroom scenes.
“Technically, I have changed this film from being just a courtroom drama to a hero’s journey. The film will have serious court room drama, but with a satirical touch,” he said.