All eyes are set on February 24 as one of the most-anticipated movies, Valimai is all set to hit the big screens that day. Featuring Ajith Kumar and Huma Qureshi in the leads as cops, the film is helmed by H.Vinoth.
Vinoth made his directorial debut with Sathuranga Vettai (2014) and then went on to direct Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru (2017) and Nerkonda Paarvai (2019). Ahead of his next (Valimai) release, the director has joined Behindwoods for an exclusive chat. Check now -
1) Congratulations for the upcoming film, Valimai. Whom did you first narrate the story and what was their reaction?
Usually, scripts are not narrated instead it is first given to be read and I, first, gave it to my assistant directors and they were happy with the first stage of the script.
2) You have worked with Sathyan Sooryan in Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru and Nirav Shah for Nerkonda Paarvai and Valimai. Both of these cinematographers are incredibly talented. How was it working with them and what amazed you?
It is a unique experience working with all. K. G. Venkatesh handled the camera for Sathuranga Vettai who even did not have any unit at that time. With the available light sources, 90 percent of the shoot was completed. For the rest of the 10 percent, unit was available and that too since there was no generator, monitors were also not used. Old technology where film roles were used to complete this film. In fact, KG Venkatesh was a all-rounder and we worked together a lot even to the extent of getting the floor ready (H.Vinoth laughs). The experience was totally different. For Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru, the production team chose Sathyan Sooryan and a unit was also given. And the film was handled within the estimated budget efficiently. Nirav sir is a supremely experienced DOP and a multilingual person. At that time, Nirav sir was working with Boney Kapoor sir, he also had worked with Ajith in Billa - hence the cinematographer got into the Valimai project. I, usually do not interfere in the works of camerapersons but just give them an insight of what visuals he expects and the rest Nirav sir perfectly handles.
3) Ajith's Amarkalam is your favourite movie. Similarly, how will it be to direct an action-less, romantic and feel-good movie with Ajith? Can we expect one?
Why should I try to do something that I don't know (Vinoth laughs).
4) Was the 11.1 sound system and 3 types of aspect ratio cinematography in Valimai decided earlier itself?
No, it wasn’t planned while writing the script. To differentiate different sequences in the film like flashback and all, different aspect ratios were used for the screenplay. A few scenes that were shot in Russia had faced a few problems but Nirav sir helped to change the aspect ratio. Nothing was planned earlier but I had asked the technicians to differentiate the scenes so they had come up with this. The 11.1 sound system and the changes in aspect ratio in Valimai has come out very well.
5) How did you come up with the villain role in Valimai?
The villain was originally planned to be hailing from North-India but since Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru too had a villain from the same zone which is based on real incidents, portraying North-Indians as villains continuously won’t be right. Valimai is a movie that was supposed to take place pan-India but due to the first wave of Coronavirus lockdown, it was brought down to be set in Tamil Nadu. Yet again, the pandemic forced the team to turn the story based in Chennai.
6) Ajith’s Arrambam and Vivegam had the usage of green colour in the films, Valimai too is said to have followed the same footsteps. Is there any particular reason for this?
I haven’t gone that deeply in Valimai. I had narrated this story to Rahul Nanda (famous Bollywood poster designer). Though this film involves a family drama and lots of bike-actions, it was decided to portray the film as an action film and based on the market value, we came up with this font and colour.
7) The weapons that are used in your films are a bit unsual ones - mainly bench vise in Sathuranga Vettai, lorry rod in Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru, hammer in Nerkonda Paarvai and now wrecking ball in Valimai. How do you decide what sort of weapons to be used usually? Do let us know about your experience working with the stunt masters.
We usually don’t decide the weapons but when the heroes try the fight sequences, stunt masters ask which weapons would be used. Usually, the latter come up with their own style of weapons like welding gear rods and creating one. At times, we come across certain usual things which creates more impact when it hits us. When we go to gym and if the dumbbells fall on us, we would be in great pain. Similarly, when our knees hit a table, we have to bear a lot of pain. If we turn such things as weapons, the audiences will feel the pain. In Valimai too, such a weapon is created (wrecking ball).
8) World-renowned philosopher’s saying appears in Valimai. What is the basic political ideology about the film?
There is nothing about politics in Valimai. The film is based on the after-effects of politics faced by families in a society. There is nothing told about politics. If it’s still felt that politics is being spoken about, I am not responsible.
Interview Team - Sivashankar, Pichaimuthu, Velmurugan, Anu