EXCLUSIVE: “HOW DID VALIMAI HAPPEN? WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION?” | H VINOTH ANSWERS | PART 2

9) Was Valimai script written especially for Ajith sir? If not, what changes did you bring in the script for Ajith sir?

I already had Valimai script beforehand. I had a story based on bike-thieves and keeping Ajith sir in my mind, I added more actions into the story which was just basic. Then went on to create 80 percent of the story newly. Apart from that, I had written several versions too. The first version which I had narrated to my assistants was liked by them. Gradually, the script had to be upgraded according to the liking of Ajith sir’s fans as well. Because there are basically two types of fans for the actor - one who is fond of films like Amarkalam, Billa, Mankatha and also equally enjoys Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music while on the other hand, fans who are family audiences and are interested in films like Siva sir’s Veeram, Vedalam, Viswasam. Apart from these fans, they (audiences) would also want to know what am I going to convey newly. So, in order to bring all the audiences into the theatres and also to spread out the reach of the film evenly to all the sectors, certain changes were brought into the script that also included my friends and technicians’ suggestions as well.

10) How did Valimai happen? What was the inspiration?

The main reason to come up with Valimai is the situation of today’s youth.

11) ‘Just want to get this one perfectly right’ - Which particular scene in Valimai makes you anxious for this moment?

We usually try for everything to be perfectly right. We mainly worked hard for the film’s USP, action, family sentiments to be rightly portrayed. We could not shoot as per our expectations due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but editor Vijay Velukutty and my assistant director - Nambi, both of them edited the shots minutely which have come out really well. The sentiment portions too have clicked well in the film.

12) For the sentimental scenes in Valimai, what kind of scope is there?

The film does not portray the sentiments that are depicted usually where they cry out loudly instead it brings out the real emotions. The emotions that cannot be described by words are shown in this film and it is sure to touch everyone’s soul.

13) First, Sathuranga Vettai (conman), next Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru (North-Indian thieves) and now Valimai (illegal bikers), these films depict a common factor - the wrong-doers. When did you start developing interest in such patterns?

Valimai is totally a different story. In my films, I don’t show much interest in crimes since it is shown in several films. But why a crime is taking place, why is the offender forced to commit a crime, what is the lawbreaker’s backstory - I usually take from the start point to the end point of the crime journey in a detailed way and present it considering the market value. And in this way, my films have clicked well. Saying that from my first film, Sathuranga Vettai till the lastly released films, all were well-received.

14) In which theatre are you planning to watch Valimai FDFS and how many times have you watched the film?

I am not going to watch Valimai FDFS and yes, I have watched the film countless times.

15) Sathuranga Vettai Vinod, Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru Vinod or Valimai Vinod - personally as a director give us an insight of the growth that you have experienced in your journey till date.

Naturally, when we keep on directing new films, we learn and also improve a lot. From the technicians to film critics to public, I take all the inputs and opinions from them and gradually try it for my next movies. In this way, I keep on learning and developing my craft.

16) In Facebook, there is an account by the name Hari Murthy - Is that you?

No, I am not on any social media.

Interview Team : Sivashankar, Pichaimuthu, Velmurugan, Anu