Renowned director M. Rajesh, celebrated for his blockbuster films such as “Siva Manasula Sakthi,” “Boss Engira Bhaskaran,” and “Oru Kal Oru Kannadi,” returns to the big screen with his latest venture, “Brother.” This time, Rajesh takes a different approach, focusing on a family-centered narrative, stepping away from his usual youth-centric films. “Brother,” featuring popular actors Jayam Ravi and Priyanka Mohan, promises to be a commercial family entertainer, bringing audiences laughter, tears, and relatable stories.
In a recent conversation, Rajesh opened up about his creative process, revealing that he often draws inspiration from real-life experiences, aiming to gracefully weave these incidents into stories that resonate with a broader audience. “I derive a lot from real-life incidents. My goal is to present these stories appealingly so that they connect with the masses,” Rajesh stated. “Brother,” rooted in a friend’s real-life incident, is designed to be a feel-good film catering to families, especially during the festive season.
A poignant touch to Rajesh’s work comes from his attachment to family values, especially following his father’s passing shortly after the release of “Boss Engira Bhaskaran” in 2010. “My father wasn’t thrilled initially about my film career,” Rajesh reminisced, “but he found joy watching ‘Siva Manasula Sakthi’ in theaters.” Reflecting on his earlier works, he acknowledged the critiques received for certain scenes, notably those involving alcohol and pre-marital themes, affirming his desire to create films that everyone in the family can enjoy.
Discussing “Brother,” Rajesh emphasized the significance of casting and scripting as pivotal factors for the film’s success. “If Santhanam sir is involved, humor naturally takes a front seat,” Rajesh explained, highlighting that each character in his films holds unique importance. The film “Brother” is crafted with an ensemble cast, each role pivotal to the narrative. Unlike other films, “Brother” abstains from using item songs unless contextually warranted, such as in gangster-themed narratives.
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Set in the picturesque locales of Ooty, “Brother” entails extensive outdoor shoots, complemented by an exceptional musical score crafted by Harris Jayaraj. “When several elements converge, like our casting and music, it requires a star like Jayam Ravi,” Rajesh shared. He recounted meeting Ravi during the shooting of “Agilan” where Ravi, after listening to several scripts, picked “Brother” for its unique appeal and the joy of venturing back into family-centric narratives.
Praising Jayam Ravi’s acting prowess, Rajesh remarked on his capabilities in both comedy and emotional sequences. “Ravi sir excels in emotional scenes as seen in ‘Santhosh Subramaniyam’ and ‘Unakkum Enakkum’,” he said. Such performances often led to the entire crew applauding his acting on set, a testament to his skill.
Rajesh also discussed the contemporary trends in cinema, noting how the buddy comedy trend, which gained momentum with “Siva Manasula Sakthi,” had faded. “Comedian-turned-heroes initiated change,” he observed. Yet, he stressed that humor must stem naturally from the script rather than being superimposed for fleeting laughs that dissipate once the audience leaves the theater.
Collaborating once again with musician Harris Jayaraj was vital for Rajesh, drawing parallels with the success of Harris’s previous works. He fondly recalled crafting the opening track “Makkamishi” with emerging artist Paal Dabba, emphasizing that the song’s themes cover societal aspects from voting to environmental issues.
Addressing the shift in film genres, Rajesh expressed his desire for stars to embrace family entertainers more frequently, acknowledging that the current preference leans towards large-scale action films for their expansive reach. Nonetheless, he applauded the occasional shift towards family-oriented films, drawing attention to works like “Varisu” starring Vijay.
Ultimately, Rajesh’s aspirations with “Brother” are not confined to commercial success but aim to foster more such narratives, hoping for increased frequency in films that balance action with relatable, heartwarming stories. As anticipation builds, fans eagerly await its theatrical release on October 31, 2024, marking yet another promising project in Tamil cinema.
