The audio launch for actor Soori’s upcoming film Maaman, where he plays the lead role, was held in Chennai, attended by several notable directors from the Tamil film industry including Lokesh Kanagaraj, Mari Selvaraj, Siruthai Siva, Pandiraj, and Ponram. Soori revealed that the film’s story, centered on the maternal uncle (Thaai Maaman) relationship, originated from his own family experiences. “I didn’t think and write the story for this film. I have narrated incidents that happened in our family relationships,” Soori stated. The film, directed by Prasanth Pandiyaraj, is produced by K. Kumar under the Lark Studios banner and is set for a worldwide theatrical release on May 16th.
Director Siruthai Siva shared an emotional reaction to the film’s trailer, saying, “It’s common to be moved after watching a two-and-a-half-hour film… But this is the first time I’ve teared up after watching a two-minute trailer.” He praised Soori’s growth in the industry. Director Pandiraj, under whom Prasanth Pandiyaraj previously worked as an assistant, expressed confidence in Maaman‘s success, drawing parallels to the positive reception of his film Kadaikutty Singam. He also noted that Prasanth’s two children act in Maaman.
Mari Selvaraj spoke about his close bond with Soori, describing their relationship as if they were “from the same house.” He commended Soori’s journey and resilience, particularly during challenging phases in his career. Lokesh Kanagaraj observed the positive audience reception for “light-hearted scripts” recently and predicted Maaman would be a significant success, also noting Soori’s increasing demand as a lead actor.
The film features an ensemble cast including Rajkiran, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Swasika. Rajkiran praised the competitive spirit among the actors and director Prasanth Pandiyaraj’s handling of the cast. Aishwarya Lekshmi thanked the filmmakers and the media for their support. Swasika mentioned that the film beautifully portrays family relationships and reminded her of her own bond with her brother.
Composer Hesham Abdul Wahab, for whom Maaman marks his Tamil debut, shared that he was moved to tears by the narration and immediately decided to work on the film. Lyricist Vivek lauded Soori’s inspiring journey and his ability to connect with people by sharing his struggles. Producer Arun Viswa, considering Soori a family member, highlighted the actor’s story sense and revealed that Maaman is the first story to emerge from Soori himself.
Director Prasanth Pandiyaraj, who previously directed the successful web series Vilangu, stated that Maaman explores all familial relationships, though it began with the maternal uncle theme. He credited Soori for the core ideas of the film and dedicated the movie to his wife. Soori, in his concluding remarks, thanked all the directors and producers present, acknowledged Rajkiran’s significant presence in the film, and praised composer Hesham Abdul Wahab. He also expressed gratitude to lyricist Vivek for writing the film’s songs without remuneration due to his affection for Soori and the story.
Maaman aims to present a relatable family drama centered on the significant maternal uncle relationship, with Soori leading a strong cast.