Tamilselvanum Thaniyaar Anjalum (TTA) may have no female lead yet, but shoot for the film is progressing at a brisk pace in Hyderabad already. The film — which was supposed to have Abinaya as the heroine — recently had another change with Richa Gangopadhyay opting out of it.
Director Prem Sai spoke to City Express about his search for the elusive heroine. “TTA was conceived only in Tamil and Abhinaya was chosen then to play the lead lady. Later, it was decided to make the film in Telugu as well and it became a bigger project. So we wanted to cast an actor who has a market value in both the industries and considered other names. Abinaya is a sweet actor, but we haven’t been able to work with her because of this.”
Richa was one of the actors considered, and even a photo shoot done with her for the film. “It was only a test photo shoot and even before we could take a decision, she got busy with other projects. There is nothing more to it,” says the director.
So even as the production house, Gautham Menon’s Photon Kathaas, is on the lookout for the lead lady, Prem Sai is completing shoot of the film.
Though they are yet to zero in on a heroine, the director says casting the hero was very simple. “Jai was the natural choice for me. His body language and dialogue delivery was apt for the role I had in mind for him. This will be Jai’s next film after Engeyum Eppodhum and he was excited when I narrated the story to him,” says Prem Sai.
While Santhanam and VTV Ganesh play comedians in the film, Nitin plays the hero in the Telugu version.
Singer Karthik, who turned music director with Aravaan, has already composed two songs for the film. “When Karthik had gone to London to record songs for Neethanae En Ponvasantham – which has music by Ilaiyaraja sir, Gautham had talks with him about my project and finalised him as music director. Karthik is very good to work with,” says Prem Sai.
He says his relationship with Prabhu Deva with whom he worked till Engeyum Kaadhal is very special and adds that the choreographer-director is happy for him. Is Prabhu Deva doing a special appearance in the film? “He is very busy. But if I find a character that will suit him, I’ll definitely approach him,” he says.