Petta Director Karthik Subbaraj promises to recreate Thalaiva's magic with the film, assures fans that Rajinikanth will 'play to the gallery'
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; January 10, 2019)

A little over a month since the release of 2.0, Rajinikanth is back with his next offering, Petta. While the megastar's last few outings - including Kaala (2018) and Kabali (2016) - were a departure from the commercial fares he is usually associated with, director Karthik Subbaraj promises that his latest venture showcases Rajinikanth in the avatar that his fans admire him the most in - a larger-than-life hero.

As the movie hits screens today, Subbaraj says, "I can't comment on his previous films, but I felt they were missing his swagger and style. In Petta, Rajini sir is playing to the gallery. I feel he will recreate his magic with this film. While writing the script, all the ingredients of a Rajinikanth special came in naturally." Assured of the movie's mass appeal, the director zeroed in on Pongal as the release date - it is Thalaiva's first Pongal release in over two decades since the runaway hit Baashha (1995).

The director of acclaimed hits such as Pizza (2012) and Jigarthanda (2014) has a fan-boy moment as he gushes over the leading man of his next. "Ever since I became a director, my desire was to direct him. I never thought it would happen so early on in my career."

Describing his association with the megastar as an enriching experience, Subbaraj says Rajinikanth's understanding of cinema reflects even in the smallest of his inputs. "I gave him a bound script before starting the film. On the first day, Rajini sir came with many changes that significantly improved the film." In fact, he credits the actor for the idea of roping in two antagonists for the film. "Rajini sir believed in having a strong antagonist to give the story a good kick. That is why when Petta demanded two antagonists, we decided on Nawazuddin [Siddiqui] and Vijay Sethupathi."

Majid Majidi’s heroine is now headed to Chennai for director Karthik Subbaraj’s next project, which also marks the Tamil debut of Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Rohan Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 17, 2018) 

Malavika Mohanan, daughter of popular cinematographer K U Mohanan, who made her Hindi debut with Majid Majidi’s first Indian production, Beyond the Clouds, as Ishaan Khatter’s sister, is now set for a Tamil debut. Mirror has learnt that the actress is the female lead opposite Rajinikanth in his upcoming action-drama. The film is being directed by Karthik Subbaraj, who has previously helmed the widely acclaimed gangster-comedy Jigarthanda. The film also marks Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s foray in Tamil cinema.

A source close to the development informed, “Malavika makes her debut in this lavishly-mounted Tamil production, which also features Vijay Setupati. Unlike her character from the Dhobi Ghat in Majidi’s film, she will be seen in a glamourous avatar in this light-hearted action-drama, one of the most expensive films ever made in Tamil.”

The film, which is set for a pan-India release, will also be dubbed in Hindi. According to the source, after wrapping up the first schedule in Darjeeling in June, work will resume in mid-September. “The team will be shooting in Dehradun, Coonoor and Chennai during the second schedule. Malavika and Rajini will also film a romantic song in Europe next month,” the source added.

This is the first time Rajini has shot in Darjeeling. The yet untitled film is the biggest project to be shot in the hill town since Farah Khan’s Shah Rukh Khan starrer directorial debut, Main Hoon Naa (2004), and Anurag Basu’s Barfi (2012), featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Ileana D’cruz.

Choreographer-filmmaker plays the antagonist in Jigarthanda filmmaker’s next
Shravan Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 7, 2018)

Prabhu Dheva is ready to venture into new territory with Jigarthanda filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj’s next, a silent thriller titled Mercury in which he plays the antagonist. “While I was making films down South, I had an idea to make a film without dialogues. So I began writing an engaging thriller and was happy with the end result,” Subbaraj, whose Tamil musical-gangster film won two National Awards (Best Supporting Actor and Editing), told Mirror.

According to the filmmaker, he doesn’t want his new project to come across as an experiment and plans to release it globally. “When there are no dialogues, it is a challenge not only for the director but for the entire crew. For the actor, dialogues facilitate improvisation at the dubbing stage but with no lines, you can convey things only through your performance and that is a challenge that everybody took on sportingly,” he explains.

On his decision to rope in Prabhu Dheva, Subbaraj says, “I like Prabhu Dheva as an actor. We have seen him more as a choreographer and director lately, but I felt he has a lot of untapped potential as an actor, as the films he has featured in previously are all about song, dance and comedy. He has never played an antagonist before. When I approached him with the script and said that it didn’t have any songs or even dialogues, he was kicked about it and immediately agreed to come on board.”

Prabhu Dheva is excited about covering new ground with his next acting turn. “Mercury offers a very unique take in the thriller genre. It also offers a huge scope to showcase one’s acting potential. With all this and an intelligent director like Karthik Subbaraj backing it, the experience was superb,” the 44-year-old says.

Mercury also features Deepak Paramesh, Remya Nambeesan and Anish Padman in pivotal roles.

Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 8, 2018)

Close on the heels of reports of Prabhu Dheva featuring in a silent film comes news that he is to play an evil spirit in the Tamil horror project. The actor will slip into the role of the antagonist for the first time in the Karthik Subbaraj-directed venture.

A source from the creative team of Mercury tells mid-day, “Prabhu will play a spirit, a buri aatma, who haunts college kids. When he heard the script, he loved it and immediately agreed to come on board. It’s an experimental film without dialogues, and banks on its visual storytelling ability. It was tough for Prabhu to do it as he is playing a negative role for the first time.”

Subbaraj’s Mercury is a silent film, reminiscent of Kamal Haasan’s Pushpaka Vimana (1987). The film revolves around college students, played by Sananth Reddy, Deepak Paramesh, Anish Padman, Shashank and Remya Nambeesan. “Shooting has been completed and the film is set to release this year.” Producer Jayantilal Gada promises abundant thrills in the venture. “It has been made in a unique way. We are sure the audience will love it.”

Prabhu Dheva has taken a break from directing to sign on a series of horror films recently. Following his 2016 Tamil horror comedy, Devi, he will be seen in Sam Akash’s family drama, a trilingual — Tamil, Telugu and Hindi — set against the backdrop of a hill station. He will play a botanist in it.