Vishal recounts challenge in film release

‘Those 10 hours turned my life upside down’, revealed actor-producer Vishal in a choked voice at the thanksgiving meet of his latest release Irumbu Thirai. He was referring to the life changing effect the events of the previous night had had on him prior to the film’s release.

“A few external forces were bent upon not to allow the release my film on schedule on May 11. If this is the situation for the president of Tamil Film Producers Council, imagine the lot of other producers. It was a big challenge and finally I won”, he added.

The tall  actor admits that he had not realised the value of money until that night. Of course, he says he knows how he should earn the money. “It is a normal thing to borrow money for producing a film and return the money with interest as well to the financiers. I know the responsibility as well. But is there not a way of asking things? They were playing games and pressurising and their only motive was to stop my movie’s release. I was perplexed and learnt what life was all about. TFPC is straight and honest against all evil forces. Now, at this moment, I challenge you all (addressing those who opposed) TFPC’s motive is to stand with producers and make them win, and whoever comes against the release of a film, the council will handle them.”

He also thanked his friends and S.R. Prabhu who stood by him throughout this issue and made the release possible. He asked the people who protested against the reference to ‘Digital India’ to go to Valluvar Kottam or any other place where they give permission to agitate and not in front of theatres where they disrupt audiences. “Once the film has been cleared by the Censors, why should there be any objection? I am only saying what’s happening in the society.”

Disclosing that it was Arya who was the first choice before his mentor Arjun sir for the villain role, but he turned down the offer. “That Arjun sir graciously accepted to take up the role saw him go up several notches in my estimation. In fact, at one point of time when Mithran was discussing the script with me, the antagonist part was so fascinating that I thought why not I do the villain part? (Smiles).”

He also heaped laurels on Samantha for breaking the myth of married actresses don’t get good roles. The Telugu version of the film titled Abhimanyudu will hit the screens on May 31.