The upcoming Tamil film Kayilan will feature actress Sshivada in the role of a National Investigation Agency (NIA) officer, leading a narrative deliberately designed by debutant director Arul Ajith to counter the male-dominated nature of the investigative thriller genre. The film’s trailer was recently launched, with director K. Bhagyaraj attending as a guest.
Explaining the casting decision, director Arul Ajith stated, “Investigative thriller films are normally very patriarchal. Hence, I decided that there should be two main characters in the film, and both should be women.” He identified Sshivada as his first choice for the lead. “She is incredibly talented and made my job easy. We were able to complete the film quickly because of her cooperation and contribution,” he added. The film also features Ramya Pandian in another primary role.
Producer B.T. Arasakumar of BTK Films revealed that his involvement was based entirely on his trust in the director. “To tell the truth, I don’t know what the story is. I didn’t even peek in that direction because of my faith in director Ajith,” Arasakumar stated. “I watched the trailer of this film here with you all.”
Arul explained that the title, Kayilan, is a Sangam-era Tamil word meaning “a person with zero errors” or “a perfectionist,” which he noted is relevant to the story and a surprise in the film’s climax.
Director Gaurav Narayanan, who also spoke at the event, commented on the current cinematic landscape, stating, “If the content is good, people will support it in a big way.”
Kayilan, which also stars Prajin, Manobala, and Gnanasambandham, is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on July 27.