Soundarya Rajinikanth

1. How did VIP 2 happen?

It all fell in place, I was already working on few scripts, particularly I was working on ‘Nilavukku en mel ennadi kovam’ script, I also gave out a cast call on social media. But for some reasons, I could not get the right cast for the project. That was the time VIP 2 popped up and one liner of the movie was ready. We told the producer, he was very happy hearing the one liner. I think VIP 2 had to happen and it found me.

2. Your first film was a motion capture and VIP 2 is not so was it challenging?

Kochadaiyan was performance capture, motion capture, photo realistic film; the technology is new to our audience. I think I want to break animation and do live action films. Both are a very different process but I enjoyed both the mediums very much. Kochadiyan was a completely different process, the movie happened in a studio but this is different after pre production everything happens on the floor. So a director role is to draw the performance from the artist and present to the audience it may be any medium the process might vary but the role of a director in animation or live action film is the same. One thing is I got a chance to work with seniors, Danush, Kajol, Samuthrakani. VIP2 is the 34th film for Danush Sir, and Kajol is a legend in the north and after twenty years she is coming back to Tamil cinema, Samuthrakani Anna is a director himself and Vivekh Sir is the senior most artist. Working in this movie has taught me many lessons and I should thank them all, they let me free as they knew the captain of the ship is Director. I think all accepted me as a director and I owe them all big thanks.

3. How did you choose Kajol for negative role?

Who said Kajol is playing negative? There is no villain in VIP 2, a Tamil movie without a villain. This movie is basically a clash between two strong minded people. ‘Raghuvaran’ is street smart, very loyal and honest guy on the other hand ‘Vasundra Parameshwaran’ is very confident, self-made, independent woman. She is not against Raghuvaran but these both characters ideology clash at a point and what happens then is the story. So definitely I won’t say Kajol is a negative character.

4. It was said that Aishwarya Rai was your first choice.

No, we were very keen. Danush Sir has written the story and dialogues. When Vasundra character got shaped we thought Kajol will be the perfect one to play this character. So we went to her, narrated the story and she was convinced with the script and that is why she has come back to Tamil cinema after 20 years.

5. How did you work on the screenplay?

Screenplay of this movie is done by me but in discussions Danush Sir also helped me because only if we bring in important elements from part 1 like father son relationship or ‘Harry Potter’ dog or his love or few other things in lot of areas we had to implement in part 2 only then movie will be a sequel. Since Danush Sir has been part in VIP 1 he made his suggestions and brought in those elements. Otherwise, the world of Vasundra and the interaction between Vasundra and Raghuvaran is written by me.

6. In ‘Padayappa’ Neelambari was a strong opponent for the hero, will it be the same in VIP 2

I think the impact ‘Padayppa’ made on people will never be forgotten. The male and female characters go head on. But VIP 2 has given a lot of importance to women, the dialogues in the movie elevate woman. We can compare it with ‘Padayappa’ as it is a male vs female genre but this is a different film.

7. So when it comes to male vs female genre usually hero wins in Tamil cinema, so what will happen in VIP 2?

Like I said, till now Tamil cinema has always lets the hero win in the films and those movies have only worked but we wanted to break this stereotype. So we both sat down together (Soundarya and Danush) and worked on the dialogue, screenplay and importantly the climax of the movie will be something people won’t expect. The story demanded such a climax so we don’t want to compromise and film a clichéd climax like ‘men will always win’.

8. ‘Velai illa pattathari - 2’ does Danush loses his job and again searches for a job?

You're asking me the story (laughs), I cannot reveal the story. This is a franchise, we are making a sequel of a movie so few characters from the previous movie are drawn and we have created a new story. VIP 2 has Raghuvaran his father, his friends and in the previous movie he loved a girl now, he is married. Like Hollywood movies Tamil films have started doing sequels, the trend is set and we should push further. Soon prequels will also be seen in Tamil cinema.

9. VIP 1 was a huge hit, usually when a sequel is announced to be filmed; a tension develops because the sequel should be as good as the previous movie. How did you handle this?

Yes, it was a bit pressurising because VIP 1 was a huge hit. Many youngsters associated themselves with VIP 1. I should say by god’s grace Danush’s story came out very well. I strongly believe that story is the hero of any film. In VIP 2 Danush Sir’s story is the hero, since the story shaped very well I had a confidence I can convert this story into a very good movie. I believe visuals are my strength I say this humbly and Thanu sir gave me a good technical team. My cameraman, production designer, stunt master and all were very helpful. I got a good team and huge banner (V creations) which gave me confidence, only after I got my confidence I gave my best shot.

10. Generally there is a talk that female directors in Tamil cinema are not persistent, what do you think about it?

I personally say I will be persistent in making films, I hope VIP 2 will be commercially a hit movie and encourage me even more. Few years back in our industry women were only in costume design now things have changed; many female directors have come out with new ideas. But what I see is, female directors do only women oriented films or they choose such subject. I wish that they do other movies too. VIP2 is a commercial film it is not a female oriented film. And as a female director I have directed the movie and I am happy that it has come out very well. I have consciously roped in many female assistant directors and editing assistants. Since things are changing slowly in future we might see many female directors.

11. What is your next plan?

I have been thinking what to do next, waiting for my release. After the release I have decided to sit with my creative team and decide on what to do next. My next movie will be a live action movie and a commercial movie no doubt about it.

Director Soundarya Rajinikanth