Tamil cinema has had a rich history of iconic duumvirates, pairs of legendary actors who have defined eras. First, there were Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and PU Chinnappa, followed by Sivaji Ganesan and MGR. Then came the era of Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, and the current industry titans are Ajith and Vijay. For filmmakers, directing a film featuring any of these stars is a matter of great prestige. Venkat Prabhu, who previously directed Ajith in the 2011 hit “Mankatha,” has now teamed up with Vijay for “The Greatest of All Time” (GOAT), which is set to be Vijay’s penultimate film before his anticipated political career.
In an exclusive conversation with the filmmaker, Venkat Prabhu reflected on his journey in the film industry and the challenges and triumphs of making GOAT.
“Being in this industry for nearly two decades is a blessing,” said Prabhu. “I’m grateful for the audience, actors, and producers who believe in me. I’m glad that people think they can expect something different from my films. The fact that I got to do a film with Vijay sir at the peak of his career is an achievement, and I see it as a recognition of how my ideas and thought processes are still working.”
The sheer scale and ambition of GOAT required meticulous planning and unwavering focus. “My hero and producers believed in me, and come what may, I wanted to deliver what I promised and ensure the audience would enjoy the final product,” Prabhu explained. “If I had concentrated on the hindrances, I feared I might have strayed away from my goal. Vijay sir once said during an event that one should work towards their own goals like a horse with blinders, not be perturbed by negativity.”
Despite the challenges, serendipity played a role in the film’s smooth production. “GOAT is a film with huge production value and a star-studded cast. But even nature ensured we worked without a hassle. When we shot in Hyderabad, there was a storm in Chennai, so our shooting wasn’t disturbed. Just before shooting in Russia, the Moscow concert hall attack raised concerns, but everything went smoothly. My team’s cooperation was pivotal in finishing the film within the promised budget and time, proving essential for the project’s success.”
Addressing the media frenzy around star-studded films, Prabhu mentioned, “The excitement level that big ‘star films’ incite is unparalleled. I did ‘Manmadha Leelai’—a comparatively smaller film—but it didn’t receive as much attention despite having a lot to decode. I even remember non-Tamil bloggers and YouTubers praising the film, but it wasn’t widely seen. On the other hand, a film like GOAT captivates such creators’ discussions purely due to the star power involved.”
Prabhu further revealed his views on the modern film critique landscape. “I don’t know if it’s healthy, but I feel it would be great if critics could enjoy a film for what it is. Nowadays, every YouTuber becomes a director and wants to show they’re smarter than the filmmakers by trying to decode every aspect of the film. Ironically, I’ve narrated the entire story in the trailer itself. But that’s just the premise; there are a lot more surprises.
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“Surprises remain so only till the end of the first show, as they will be put out on social media soon after. A few people want to kill the experience for others just to gain traction and become famous online. Some channels even bribe those working on film sets to get exclusive tidbits.”
Reflecting on the changes in the film industry over the decades, Prabhu said, “In the ‘90s, it would take long for the title of a Mani Ratnam film to be announced because back then there was no social media. The excitement and suspense of that era are impossible now. Imagine someone like Lokesh (Kanagaraj) trying to keep Suriya’s cameo in ‘Vikram’ a surprise only for it to be revealed prematurely, forcing an official announcement. It’s a curse for filmmakers today.”
On working with Vijay, Prabhu couldn’t contain his admiration. “He is a very smart actor who knows the pulse of the audience. I can write a scene and tell him how I want it, but he knows how to improvise and enhance it. He’s usually quiet on the sets, but once the camera starts rolling, he transforms into something phenomenal. He plays two roles in this film, bringing a lot of variation to his body language. With so many films to his credit, it’s no surprise that he is brilliant. We have utilized that aspect a lot in this film.”
Discussing future aspirations, Prabhu showed his enthusiasm for working with legends like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. “Rajini sir, of course; we all are huge fans. He has been doing serious, genre-centric films recently. But just like Vijay sir, Rajini sir and Kamal Haasan sir also have a brilliant sense of humor, and I would love to make such a film with them. I originally wanted to do a sequel to ‘Vikram’ (1986), a spy thriller mixed with elements of Indiana Jones. We grew up watching these actors, and working with them would be a dream come true.”
Music is another passion for Prabhu, who collaborated with Yuvan Shankar Raja for GOAT. “Yuvan’s songs grow on you. For GOAT, I asked him for long-lasting songs. Recent songs are often nice to hear momentarily, but we forget them quickly. Melodies stand the test of time, and some kuthu songs do that too. Songs like ‘Annaaththe Aaduraar’ (Apoorva Sagodharargal) still bring us joy today. I guess I’ve turned a bit old-school.”
“The Greatest Of All Time” (GOAT) is set to release in theatres on September 5, 2024, and promises to be a cinematic experience that will resonate with audiences and fans alike.
