Shoot At Site: Harish and Preity dance it out on a peppy number for 'Dashamakan'

In a breezy daytime setup, Raju Sundaram was choreographing a peppy dance duet picturised on Harish Kalyan and Preity Mukhundhan, as we entered the set of Dashamakan. “We are shooting a love song between Harish and Preity,” shares director Vineeth Varaprasad, who previously helmed Lift , adding, “ Dashamakan is a North Chennai based subject that’s an action and political drama. It revolves around the actual area of Dashamakan.”

I’ve rapped a song in the film for authenticity: Harish Kalyan

After Beer Song ( Diesel ), this is my second number choreographed by Raju master. I play an outrageous character in the film. Currently, indie rap culture is booming, and rappers are spotlighting issues within our society through their lyrics. That’ll also be shown in our film. I’ve also rapped a song since it adds to my character and would be more authentic if I did it myself. I tried to learn beatboxing and rapping from the actual rappers who are acting as ‘my area friends’ in the film.

Harish is extremely dedicated; Raju sir does dance sequences quickly: Preity Mukhundhan

I play a free-spirited young girl who follows her passion. It’s been a chill set, and the crew has made sure that I’m comfortable. Harish is extremely dedicated and always on time. He always puts the story first. Raju Sundaram sir gets done with dance sequences quickly and smoothly. Now, as I’m working on multiple films together, I’ve to simultaneously prepare for different characters and accordingly accommodate shooting schedules. It’s been challenging, yet satisfying.

Finding the flow, 400 auditions later

Harish plays a struggling lower-middle-class rapper in the film. Preity, who plays an AngloIndian girl, lives in the same neighbourhood. The film revolves around Sathyaraj sir, Sunil sir and Harish. Sathyaraj sir brings in nuance to his performance. Even if we are OK with a take, Sunil sir still asks for ‘one more’. All the rappers shown in the film are actual rappers. We auditioned close to 400 rappers to maintain authenticity. Harish spent a lot of time with them, did the homework and learnt rapping, too.
- Vineeth Varaprasad, director
A fresh frame for Tamil cinema

It’s my second film as a DOP after Eleven . The credit for the film’s visuals goes to the director. Vineeth, as a producer-director, never says no and provides us with everything we want. It’s an interesting script and will be something new in Tamil cinema.
- Karthik Ashokan, cinematographer

A shared creative palettePreviously, I’ve done Ranam and Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil. The director, DOP, and I worked together on the colour palette, as we’ve to maintain certain characters in specific colours. Vineeth is clear about what he wants, and that makes my job easier. I felt included and, by extension, a part of the direction team.
- Rithesh Selvaraj, costume designer


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