Thani Oruvan was a landmark film both in the careers of its director, Mohan Raja and the protagonist, Jayam Ravi. On the occasion of five years of the film’s release, in a special tete-a-tete with Behindwoods, Mohan Raja goes into the experience of crafting one of the classics of Tamil cinema and also lets us in on what to expect from its sequel, Thani Oruvan 2. Tune in for a cracker of a conversation.
This was the first "straight" film you had done for your brother. At that time, was the pressure high?
At that time, the only feeling on my mind was excitement. Maybe there would have been pressure, I didn't feel it as my excitement was dominating every other feeling. A few things were responsible for that excitement. When I was 13 or 14, I caught Mani Ratnam's Agni Natchathiram. I don't have words to describe how excited I was upon seeing that movie. The euphoria surrounding the movie, housefull shows, the advance booking queue for the movie, the high voltage drama that happened inside the theatre whenever Prabhu sir and Karthick sir clashed with each other on the screen... It was a very different experience.
The films during that time used to have a villain. But Agni Natchathiram was different and excited me. When it came to Thani Oruvan, two different things were in the fray - one was the cop story, the other was the Robin Hood tale. When I had the thought of a policeman who also doubles up as a Robin Hood in the night while studying, it was very exciting. Another concept was him looking for his enemy, he decides whom he should oppose. When it came to the concept of him deciding who his enemy should be, Agni Natchathiram came to my mind. More than the film, I thought of the impact the film had created when it had released and I felt this thought of Thani Oruvan can create the same impact, gave me an excitement.
I was excited about making it productive and taking it to the audience. That fire was there within me to take it to the audience despite the hassles involved in it. In a way, in Agni Natchathiram, Prabhu sir and Karthik sir didn't need a reason to clash with each other. Their births were enough. But here, him being good and the other being bad, is reason enough to clash with each other. So, I had the concept of Agni Natchathiram in mind and the working title in my mind was "Modhal". Hate at first sight. Like how "Kadhal" was love at first sight, this was hate at first sight. I kept "Modhal" as a working title and worked on the film. Regarding pressure, when we do a job that is unique and something that will bring you laurels, you don't think of such things.
Regarding whether I felt any pressure since it's the first straight film with Ravi, my primary strength is my brother. He had been a pillar of strength for me. Right from the story evolving, he gave me support in all ways, he gave me moral support, like he wasn't behaving like a hero... Him being a support in all ways ensured that I didn't feel any pressure. AGS Productions and Agoram Sir, he was like another pillar, they took good care of me, the trust AGS had in me, you can say it eased the pressure off me. Maybe if it wasn't for these two things, the pressure could have killed the excitement in me. These two people ensured that the excitement in me didn't die down. I am thankful to these two for letting me be me in the process of bringing about the film. Besides these two, everyone who was involved in the film, with their heart and soul. With the film completing five years, I would like to thank the cast, crew and technicians.
It is always said that a hero needs a strong protagonist. However, we mostly see villains being reduced to a caricature. Only once in a while, we get an Antony, Joker, etc. What was the inspiration behind a suave villain like Siddharth Abhimanyu in an industry that otherwise insists on a stereotypical presentation?
Most of cinema has been the debate between two extreme forces. That's how it seems to me. Even if you take epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata...the battle between Kauravas and Pandavas...any story you take, it isn't necessary that the battle should be between two men. In Bhagyaraj sir's Mundanai Mudichu, it was the battle between two extremes, the opposing forces of Bhagyaraj and Urvashi madam, forces that are conceptually, philosophically and ideologically opposing. We have seen it in Pudhiya Padhai's Parthiban and Seetha as well. I feel only when there are those opposing forces, the story begins to revolve, equally opposing forces, I can say that any good film will have such strong and opposing forces. If you have to write a story that is complete and honest, I believe, automatically, both these forces will be quite strong. If you analyse the greatest hits of all times, you will feel both forces were strong.
In another point of view, most of us go to the theatres for some positivity. We feel good when goodness wins over evil. When someone goes through hell, and comes up all triumphs, it's a good boost for us and it's quite inspiring. The battle for the truth inspires us. "Truth shall win" we can say this and sit at home. How inspiring we show the triumph of good over evil, that high would be the victory of the film. When you don't have such elements, films that have stereotypical villains, I don't feel they will ever be regarded as classic films.
While we know you like to work with your brother, we are quite keen on what made you zero in on Arvind Swamy for the role? Was he the only choice or any other names were considered?
There was only one reason as to why Arvind Swamy was chosen for the Siddharth Abhimanyu character. The duality of the character. Wolf in sheep's clothing, they say. The whole concept was the organised crime behind emotional crimes. There is a duality here. Emotional crimes are at the forefront, while organised crime happen at the background. I wanted someone who was stylish, soft, positive, but the evil that bodes in him. I had said this before. When there is a danger, if it looks upfront as a danger, we won't go near it. The effects from such incidents will be low because we had taken a decision to move away from it. But what if the danger doesn't come across as evil and is packaged in a beautiful way? We will go near it, we will allow it to mesmerise us, that disappointment would be a big wound. When I thought of good looking and evil, Arvind Swamy seemed apt. My initial thought was it should be someone like Ajay Devgn in the film, Company. I almost thought I wouldn't get anybody like that. Arvind Swamy didn't strike me at the beginning, it wasn't in my mind that he was being regular to acting. Through a friend, I heard that Arvind Swamy is back to listening to scripts. I asked Ravi and he took me to him. The day I heard of his name, there was no looking back. I didn't go for any other option.
Rumour has it that Thani Oruvan 2 is in the offing. How true is this? If true, who all we can see reprising their roles? Any new additions or is it too early to speak?
That is the only work I am doing. My mind is full of excitement. I am working with the excitement that I can bring about something meaningful. In September, there will be updates on the same. There is nothing to say about the cast, as of now. If I get 10 messages, of these, three are about the film, saying do it with caution. I am thankful for the care. Everyone around me is keeping me on the toes. It keeps my responsibility in check. I can say for sure, that the concept would be worthy. It won't disappoint. The fact that I could do something better than Thani Oruvan is exciting me. People can be confident. This is not coming from a place of overconfidence. We are putting in the required hard work. We will sincerely make every effort to get people excited about Thani Oruvan 2. Work is in progress. Thank you.