EXCLUSIVE: I still remember the first shot where I called 'action' - Vignesh Shivan explains the journey of making Podaa Podi!

'Game Changers with Suhasini Maniratnam' is the next big initiative of Galatta Media after multiple star-studded shows including Galatta Nakshathra Awards 2018, Galatta Debut Awards 2019, Galatta Wonder Women Awards 2019, Galatta Indian Cinema Conclave 2022, The Galatta Crown 2022, and Galatta Digital Stars 2022. The national award-winning actress Suhasini Mani Ratnam interviewed blockbuster director and popular lyricist Vignesh Shivan in the first interview.

Vignesh Shivan made his debut with the film Podaa Podi and has done many hit flicks including Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, Thaana Serndha Kootam and Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal. The filmmaker has also penned lyrics to songs of many popular actors. In the 'Game Changers with Suhasini Maniratnam' interview, The director got candid and shared some interesting details about his films and personal life. The veteran actress asked "what were your struggles with Podaa Podi, the first film when you were 22 years old that was shot in London, on one side you are lucky because you had Silambarasan TR as the hero and Sarathkumar's daughter Varalaxmi as heroine". “Actually I was very lucky. I signed the film, when I was 22 years old, but it took two years for the film to get on floors. I signed in 2008/2007, But, we could get on floors only in 2010, because Simbu sir had many projects including Vinnaithandi Varuvaayaa, Vaanam, and Vaalu, after that this film happened. I still remember the first shot where I called 'action' as a director for the first time. It was below the London Tower Bridge, the actors were there, we had a British DOP, Duncan Telford, and I had taken talents from different places to shoot the film. At that place called Butlers Wharf, we broke a coconut. At that time I remembers a Goundamani sir comedy. We spoke to the local people and told them it was a ritual and broke it. Because they could be afraid of thinking it’s the bomb. Then, it took many days."

As Suhasini Maniratnam said "the heroine character in the film was very practical and casual something, we have not seen in Tamil cinema before, did you think you didn't got recognition for it?". Vignesh Shivan said “Yeah because, The release of the film was prolonged. That was a minus, because if it was released at that time in 2010 or in 2011 it would have been okay. But, it was only released in 2012 end. At that time, The mighty Thuppakki was also released during Diwali. It (Podaa Podi) was a different genre for a Diwali time. Because it was a romantic film that people can't go with their family for Diwali. It was like a very romantic comedy. I did not place it in a formula. Even now I try to experiment offbeat plots but it should be commercial." When asked if he had thought he did not get recognition. "Mam, there are 10000 things to worry about and 10000 things to feel happy about, I select the happy things. There's no use thinking about it. But, someday, It will be recognised, is what I believed in. If something does not work out today then tomorrow something will work out.", said the director.