M Rajesh: Ravi sir & I have been wanting to work together for a long time

A director who has helmed memorable romcoms like Siva Manasula Sakthi, Boss Engira Bhaskaran and Oru Kal Oru Kannadi, M Rajesh is ready with his next directorial Brother, starring Jayam Ravi. In an exclusive chat with us, he opens up about joining hands with Jayam Ravi for the first time, the rapport he shares with Arya, Jiiva and Santhanam, being branded as a director of comedy films and more...

ON HOW ROMCOMS HAVE CHANGED TODAY...The recent trend has mostly been action thrillers and murder mysteries. Romcoms are still being made today, but as per the current trend. Films that highlight comedy, like Siva Manasula Sakthi, aren’t made now. I believe that it’s just a trend, and those kinds of films might return again.

‘A family entertainer about brother-sister bonding’Brother will be a family entertainer about brother-sister bonding. It’s been a while since Jayam Ravi sir did a film in this genre. Bhumika Chawla plays his sister while Priyanka Mohan will be seen in a cute character. I approached her because I liked her reactions in her previous films, and felt she would carry this role well.

ON COLLABORATING WITH JAYAM RAVI FOR THE FIRST TIME…I have worked with Jiiva, Arya and Santhanam. As they are all friends with Jayam Ravi sir, I used to always keep meeting him. We have been in talks to work together for a long time, but the timing wasn’t right. When I met him this time around, I told him three script ideas, among which he particularly liked one.

ON REUNITING WITH MUSIC COMPOSER HARRIS JAYARAJ...I did Oru Kal Oru Kannadi with Harris Jayaraj. His music was one of the reasons why that film got a big opening. The album of Jayam Ravi sir’s Engeyum Kadhal, for which he composed the music, was a big hit as well. So, we thought it would be good if the three of us collaborated.

ON HIS FILM WITH ATHARVAA AND ADITI SHANKAR, AND SMS 2…I have to plan regarding that film (his film with Atharvaa) once I’m done with Brother. Jiiva and I are very close friends. When I get a new idea, I narrate it to him. I’ve narrated two ideas to him for SMS 2, and he is very excited. So, let’s see. But it’s all just in the talking stage right now.

ON SANTHANAM TURNING A HERO...I strongly believe that Santhanam is more than a comedian and I have always tried to explore that side of him. Arya, Jiiva, Santhanam and Jayam Ravi sir know my plus ses and minuses and vice versa. If I tell them three ideas, they know very well which among them I would handle the best. When we know the strengths and weaknesses of an actor and work with them, the combination works very well. Priyadarshan sir and Mohanlal sir have been doing films together for years. As they are friends, they have a good understanding. Similarly, Rajini sir did many films with SP Muthuraman sir because they, too, had such an equation.

ON BEING BRANDED AS A MAKER OF COMEDY FILMS...I have that stamp because the humour in them has particularly worked well. My films have also had emotional scenes, but the comedy has overshadowed everything else. I believe that there’s a huge effort that goes into making comedy, as we have to focus on the smallest of reactions and expressions. It’s not at all easy to do.



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