Teejay Arunachalam, who made his debut in Vetri Maaran’s Asuran, has revealed that his first lead role in the upcoming film Usurae is based on a true story from Chittoor. The actor also shared that he drew inspiration from a classic Silambarasan performance for his character.
Speaking about the project, Teejay, who comes from an Eelam Tamil family with no prior cinema connections, expressed his gratitude to Vetri Maaran for launching his career. He then detailed his connection to the new film’s narrative. “When Naveen approached me with Usurae and told me it’s a true story of a boy named Raghava from Chittoor, I became emotional and gave my nod instantly,” he stated. “Since I’m a big fan of Silambarasan, I was reminded of his character ‘Sakthivel’ from Kovil. I kept that character in mind while acting in this film.”
The film, described as an intense romantic thriller, also marks the return of actress Mantra to Tamil cinema after a long hiatus. “I had a desire to do a Tamil film again for a long time,” Mantra said. “When director Naveen and producer Mouli told me the story, I immediately said yes. I play an independent woman in a challenging role.”
The project was praised by guest directors for its focus on romance in a market they feel has recently been dominated by other genres. “For a while, Tamil cinema became a cinema without love. I see Usurae as the beginning of its return,” remarked director Subramaniya Siva. Director R.V. Udayakumar added, “At a time when violent, bloody Tamil films have come and gone, and the next wave has started making films about drugs, we need to make love stories that can be enjoyed with a smile.”
Usurae is directed by Naveen D Gopal and stars Janany, known for her appearance in Leo, as the female lead. The film’s music is composed by Kiran Jose. The cinematographer, Marki Sai, noted that the film was shot in 22 days.
The film is produced by Sri Krishna Productions and is scheduled for a theatrical release on August 1 by Dream Warrior Pictures.