Ace filmmaker Selvaragavan’s wife Gitanjali, who was once his assistant, is debuting as a director with the film Maalai Nerathu Mayakkam. She is introducing popular editor Kola Bhaskar’s son Balakrishna Kola and Punjabi actress Wamiqa Gabbi as the lead pair. Interestingly, Selvaraghavan has penned the story for the movie. Speaking at its promo event, where he introduced all the debutants including his wife, Selva said, “Fifteen years ago, two nervous boys stood on this same stage seeking blessings from the press when they made their first film. One was me and the other boy was my brother Dhanush. We were nobody then. The credit goes to the press for whatever we are today. Likewise, I see all the cast and crew of Maalai Nerathu Mayakkam (MNM) in a similar situation today.”
Selva reveals that Gitanjali was never his choice for the film. “The theme of MNM is very sensitive and bold. We never considered her at all and I was looking out for a director who could handle this daring script. But she came into the picture and was keen to wield the megaphone. She was very confident. Usually, it is very difficult to handle my scripts. And there’s a perception here that women directors should do only a certain kind of films. But the case is different in other industries. I trusted her and gave a go ahead. When I saw the rushes for the first time, I was happy and liked the way she treated the subject in a different manner. I was amazed with the way she managed the two kids and her work efficiently,” he says. Gitanjali, for her part, thanked Selva for giving her the script and described directing the movie as a life changing experience.
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