What's the big suspense in 'Bairavaa?'- Dir Bharathan interview

Ilayathalapathy Vijay’s ‘Bairavaa’ will be first big release of the year 2017. The teaser of the film was released as a grand Diwali treat and it is already creating new records in number of views and likes. 

At this time IndiaGlitz brings you more reasons to celebrate this Diwali with ‘Bairavaa’ in the form of an exclusive telephonic chat with the film’s director Bharathan. 

How did ‘Bairavaa’ happen?

I worked for as the dialogue writer in ‘Veeram’ produced by Vijaya Productions and they are impressed with my way of work. They were planning to do a film with Vijay sir, and they asked me to narrate a script. I was having a rough draft of a script and I readied it within 10-15 days with the help of my co-director Mr.Shantha Mohan and then I narrated it to the producers. In the first narration itself, they liked the script very much and immediately sent me to Vijay sir. It was during the last stage of ‘Theri’ shooting. Sir also liked the script and immediately gave his nod. That’s how ‘Bhairavaa’ started.

Is Vijay sir playing dual roles in the film like ‘Azhagiya Tamil Magan’?
I wish to retain it as a suspense. I don’t want to reveal whether Vijay plays dual roles now.

How far this film will be different from other films of Vijay?
This film will have everything expected of a Vijay film. Vijay brand of action, sentiment, humour and dialogues that will receive a lot of applause.

How did Keerthy Suresh come into such a big project at such an early stage of her career?

We wanted a fresh combination for Vijay sir. She should also be apt for the character. At that time we watched ‘Rajini Murugan’ and I thought she would be the perfect fit for the role. Producers also unanimously decided that she will be the right choice. Then she heard the complete script.

What made me happy about her is that her Tamil fluency and diction were impeccable. She could also read Tamil without making any mistakes. These gave me confidence that she will definitely give life to the character in my mind. Because a girl well versed in Tamil can do this role more easily than others. Keerthy will definitely win plaudits for her performance in the film.

So from what you say, we infer that Keerthy is not just the love interest of Vijay in the film?

Yes. The script has ample importance for the heroine also.

The film also has a ensemble supporting cast such as Daniel Balaji, Harish Uthaman, Y.G.Mahendran and many others; what about the roles of these seasoned actors?

Yes, all of them have good scope. Each actor will be carrying their respective parts like a pillar. Each of them have such a powerful character. Jagapaty Babu sir plays the main villain. Daniel Balaji is another villain. After watching the film you will start calling them by their character names.

We heard the film is semi urban and semi rural?

Yes. Its a mix of city and village portions.

We heard your plan to shoot  in Pollachi had to be called off due to the excessive crowd of Vijay fans gathering there?

No it is just a plain rumour. We never had a plan to shoot in Pollachi.

Did Vijay request for a song like ‘Neruppu da’ in ‘Kabali’?

It is true that everyone of us, including Vijay sir loved ‘Neruppu da’ song. But this is just a plain rumor. All the songs have been written by Vairamuthu sir.

Can we expect a song crooned by Vijay in ‘Bairavaa’?

Definitely . He has recorded for one song. It will be a peppy duet. It will be a different song for Vijay sir, as a singer. He has sung it excellently.

How did the photos from your shooting spot in Switzerland  leak? Are you upset with that?

Switzerland is a place thronged by a lot of tourists. They will be eager to watch film shootings and if it is Vijay sir film shooting, they will even alter their travel plans to watch the shooting for a few more days.Nowadays everyone has a camera. In a crowd of over 500 people it is impossible to stop one or two persons taking photos and they immediately publish them in social media.

Many co-stars of Vijay in this film rave about his down to earth attitude. Tell us about that? 

Yes, he is a very simple, genuine and a sweet person. He will never treat everyone in the spot right from co-artists to camera assistants with equal respect. He will keep talking with all. If there is a combination scene with many actors like Vijay, Y.G.Mahendra. Harish Uthaman, Thambi Ramaiah and others all of them will sit under the tent and they will keep chatting like a get-together of family members. They will rarely use caravan. I am happy that all of them worked in the film with full involvement and joy.

Especially Vijay sir. If he comes out from the caravan in the morning he will sit under the tent even if the heat level soars to 100-110 degrees. He will not even carry a mobile phone in his hand. He will keep on thinking about his work. He will even give tips for his co-artists. At times he will even suggest that a particular dialogue will be more impactful if it is uttered by another actor than the one who was initially supposed to deliver it. He made Thambi Ramaiah speak one particular dialogue written for him.

What is the significance of the title ‘Bairavaa’? 

‘Bairavaa’ is the god who protects. The hero is the protector. He protects who from what forms the story.

Tell us about the dialogues of the film? We heard Vijay wanted to avoid punch dialogues?

Yes dialogues will be strong. Each dialogue will perfectly match with the situation and the character.

When can we expect the audio release?

We are planning to release the songs, somewhere around November end.
 

In what stage is the film's production now?

95% of the shooting is complete. We have to shoot four or five scenes. We have completed the song shoot in Switzerland. We plan for a wrap-up within 10th or 15th of November. Post-production is also going on simultaneously.