Vijay's Jilla gets rolling

Any film of Ilayathalapathy Vijay would raise the expectation metre among film buffs, and so did it when Jilla was announced by producer R B Choudhary’s banner Super Good Films. The film got rolling on Monday with a puja at the production house.

Jilla is a significant movie for the Super Good Films banner as it is their 85th film in 25 years. The members of the cast and crew were present including actor Vijay, producer R B Choudhary, director Neason, music director D Imman and actors Thambi Ramaiah, Poornima Bhagyaraj, Mahath and Soori. Actor Jiiva and director M Raja were also present. Mollywood star Mohanlal is also part of the cast, while actor Kajal Aggarwal plays Vijay’s pair in the film.

The cameraman is Bollywood’s Natraj of Love Aaj Kal-fame.

Speaking to the media after the puja, Vijay said, “I have done several films with Super Good Films earlier and I’m very happy to team up with them again. For all of us, including Neason, Imman and R B Choudhary, Jilla will be an important film. I heard the script from Neason during the making of Velayudham. Imman has given hits like Myna and Kumki and I’m happy to have him in my film after Tamizhan. We asked Mohanlal if he would accept this project. He evinced interest and spoke to me from Kerala, confirming his acceptance.”

Director Neason has already directed a film called Muruga and done the story and screenplay of Velayudham. Neason said, “Vijay has given me a big break with this film. The responsibility on me is greater since it’s the 85th movie of Super Good Films.”

Revealing just a hint of what the film is about, he said, “It’s a Madurai-based movie. The title Jilla is a sort of colloquial reference to a leader of a group in an area. Kajal Aggarwal plays a chirpy girl from Madurai. We are repeating the hit pair of Vijay and Kajal post Thuppakki.”

Actor Poornima Bhagyaraj, who is playing an important role in the film, said, “My son Shanthanu is a big fan of Vijay and he was eager that I accept this film. Mohanlal was my first co-star, so I’m thrilled that he’s also a part of Jilla!”