Tamil cinema’s relationship with formidable actor pairs has been a fascinating saga worthy of numerous case studies. Initially, the legendary duo of Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and PU Chinnappa set the stage. They were followed by the illustrious duo of Sivaji Ganesan and MGR, then came the indomitable pair of Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. For the present generation, the torchbearers are Ajith and Vijay. Filming a movie featuring these icons is considered a crowning achievement for any director. The latest filmmaker to join this elite circle is Venkat Prabhu. Having previously worked with Ajith in “Mankatha” (2011), Prabhu has now teamed up with Vijay for “The Greatest Of All Time” (GOAT), which is the actor’s penultimate film before his anticipated foray into politics.
In an exclusive conversation with the filmmaker, Venkat Prabhu shared his thoughts on his nearly two-decade-long career in the industry and his latest project.
“Being in this industry for nearly twenty years is truly a blessing, and I am thankful for the audience, actors, and producers who have faith in me,” said Prabhu. “I’m thrilled that people expect something unique from my films. Having the opportunity to work with Vijay sir at the pinnacle of his career is a significant achievement, and I consider it a testament to how my ideas and thought processes continue to resonate,” he added.
Adding on about his experience working with Vijay, Prabhu shared, “Vijay sir is an exceptionally smart actor who understands the audience’s pulse. I might write a scene and articulate what I’m envisioning, but he has an innate ability to improvise and elevate the scene to new heights. He’s usually quiet on the sets, but once the camera starts rolling, he transforms into a phenomenal performer. In GOAT, he plays dual roles and brings a lot of variations in his body language. With such an extensive filmography, it’s no wonder the actor in him is brilliant, and I hope we have utilized this brilliantly in the film.”
Discussing the production challenges, Prabhu stated, “GOAT is a film with a massive production value and an equally grand cast. Nature itself seemed to favor us because during our shoot in Hyderabad, there was a storm in Chennai, which didn’t disrupt our schedule. Even before our Moscow shoot, the Moscow concert hall attack occurred, making us hesitant, but everything smoothly fell into place once shooting started. My entire team, from the technicians to the producers, supported me extensively, ensuring we stayed within the promised budget and timeline. Without my team, achieving this would have been impossible.”
He also reflected on modern audiences and the trend of decoding films. “The excitement that big ‘star films’ generate is unparalleled. For example, ‘Manmadha Leelai,’ a comparatively smaller film, didn’t get the same attention despite having a lot to decode. However, non-Tamil bloggers and YouTubers praised it. Similarly, the same creators have more reach when talking about GOAT, showcasing the power of stars,” he noted.
Prabhu attributes this culture of over-interpretation partly to YouTubers turning into critics.
. “Every YouTuber is aspiring to be a director and striving to appear smarter than the filmmaker by trying to decipher the film’s narrative. Ironically, I’ve already narrated the entire plot in the trailer itself, yet, there are numerous surprises in the film,” he chuckled.
Touching upon the modern phenomenon of social media spoilers, he expressed his frustration. “In the ’90s, the title of a Mani Ratnam film would take long to be disclosed due to the absence of social media. Now, the excitement and surprises have diminished. Take for instance Lokesh Kanagaraj attempting to keep Suriya’s cameo in ‘Vikram’ a secret, only for it to get leaked, pushing them to officially announce it. Such trends pose a significant challenge for filmmakers today.”
When asked about working with other giants of Tamil cinema, Prabhu conveyed his admiration. “Rajini sir is an absolute legend, and we are all massive fans. His recent serious roles in genre-centric films like ‘Jailer’ are captivating. However, just like Vijay sir, Rajini sir, and Kamal Haasan sir have a fantastic sense of humor. I would love to craft a film that explores this facet of their personalities. I even once harbored a dream of making a sequel to ‘Vikram’ (1986) because I adore the genre, blending spy-thriller elements with action-adventure akin to Indiana Jones.”
Regarding the film’s music, Prabhu shared his insights working with Yuvan Shankar Raja. “Yuvan’s compositions have a way of growing on the audience. For GOAT, I sought long-lasting songs that would endure the test of time. Nowadays, songs are often designed for instant gratification, perfect for Instagram reels but fleeting in memory. However, timeless melodies remain vibrant, similar to classics like ‘Annaaththe Aaduraar’ from ‘Apoorva Sagodharargal.’ Perhaps I’m a bit old-school, but those were the songs that delivered pure joy.”
He lamented the current trend wherein songs are crafted for virality rather than longevity. “We grew up on Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja’s timeless tracks. Today’s songs often cater to immediate trends, driven by audio companies and production houses aiming for viral hits. Nonetheless, every music director is capable of creating songs that stand the test of time. It’s just a matter of working within the confines of the current trend.”
“The Greatest Of All Time” is slated for release in theaters on September 5, 2024. Tamil cinema continues to evolve, and directors like Venkat Prabhu are integral to pushing its boundaries.
