Acclaimed Tamil writer Jeyamohan recently sat down for an interview with Galatta to talk about Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu, which has been adapted based on a story written by him. Director Gautham Vasudev Menon has penned the screenplay for the upcoming gangster film, which stars Silambarasan TR in the lead role and features music by Oscar-winning composer A. R. Rahman. Speaking about the inspiration for VTK, writer Jeyamohan stated, "This film is based on a real person's life, who is still alive. It is about a person who I know personally. This is a real story." Upon being asked about the voice-over in the film's trailer and how it is a true story, he asserted saying, "It is the reason why the story could not be done. This does not have a progression of events from here to there and so on as usually seen in a story. We cannot write a story because it is based on true events."
Jeyamohan added, "So, this person often comes to Kulasekharapatnam and is someone who reads my stories. When we were talking, he narrated a one-line and told how this is a one-way path. You can go in, but cannot leave. You will get trapped. But, you cannot come outside. If a person who's trapped there remains quiet, he will survive. But, if he were to try and make an escape, he would get caught. This was bugging me a lot. Later, when I thought about it, I realized that this does not pertain to the underworld alone but is synonymous with any field. Once you enter, you yourself will change. We have tried to show what happens when a person gets changed as he is being pulled inside and how he suffers while trying to come out. This is not about the struggles, violence, or ruthlessness of the underworld. This is about the suffering of the protagonist. 'Why am I here? Why am I doing all these things? What will happen if I leave this place? I need to leave, but can I?' - This is what the film is all about."
Jeyamohan also stated, "The entire second half revolves around the pulse of that individual again and again. The person who told me this story, the man who comes to Kulasekharapatnam, told me that his hometown is 22 kilometers away and it has been 16 years since he visited the place. When I asked him why he hadn't gone there, he told me he didn’t want to go. I asserted the same question and he stood firm in his reply. I then realized upon thinking that my parents had passed away. It has been 20 years since I visited my village. That's because we are moving from one place to another, right? Once you leave the place and keep moving to different places, nobody will know you back in your hometown. So, this film will be absorbing to all those who realize there's life in this person's journey."
Watch Jeyamohan talk about Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu and more in the interview below: