Poda Podi, a romantic comedy with Simbu and Varalakshmi Sarath Kumar (daughter of actor Sarath Kumar) in the lead, is directed by debutante Vignesh Sivan, who has also written the script. The film has been in the making for the past three years.
Ask Sivan about the delay and he says, “Simbu, after his last successful outing with Gautham Menon’s Vinaai Thaandi Varuvaaya, did not want to repeat another loverboy image immediately. Besides, he had started work on ‘Vanam,’ and ‘Osthe.”
A graduate in electronic media, Sivan aspired to make films.. While in college, he shot a four-minute film and showed it to producers.
“I knew it would be difficult to get producers and actors to listen to my narration. And I thought a short film will give them an idea of my story and the look of the film,” recalls the 27-year-old director. “My producers liked it and I was given the green signal. This is a story that I could relate to well. Not only will it appeal to the young, but with family values woven into the story, it will draw a wider audience.”
According to the director, he’s the first to shoot a film at Disneyland in Hong Kong. “For me it was like a dream come true.”
Another memorable moment was shooting under Tower Bridge, London. “It was my first day of shooting and I was excited.”
Taking viewers on an unusual journey will be the scenes shot at the House of Dancing Water in Macau.
Simbu who was Sivan’s senior at school. “Simbu is a genius and was totally involved in the film. He understood the mood of the character and delivered his role to perfection. Being a newcomer to the industry, I looked forward to his suggestions on improvising the character. As a lover boy he has enhanced the character and enriched it.”
So how different is this lover boy from Vinaai Thaandi Varuvaaya?
“Vinaai Thaandi Varuvaaya was more of an emotional story. In this film there is humour and this loverboy is a fun-loving character. Everyone will enjoy the story,” says Sivan. On the leading lady, he adds, “Varu on her debut has been excellent. She lived the role and has played it completely to the hilt.”
