Perusu, the upcoming film directed by Elango Ram under Karthik Subbaraj’s Stone Bench Productions, is set to arrive in theaters on March 14, hoping to add something different to the comedy repertoire.
“We’ve broken away from conventional approaches to adult comedy,” said producer Karthikeyan Santhanam during a recent promotional event. “This is Stone Bench’s 16th production, and we wanted to present this genre through a fresh lens that won’t make audiences uncomfortable.”
The film features an ensemble cast including Vaibhav, Sunil, Bala Saravanan, Redin Kingsley, and Niharika, with veteran performers Dhanalakshmi and Swaminathan in pivotal roles.
Director Karthik Subbaraj, who attended the event to support the project, noted: “Making others laugh is genuinely difficult, but the writing team has accomplished it brilliantly. The story contains both humor and emotional depth, making it accessible for anyone above 18, even with family members.”
Dhanalakshmi, known for her comedy work with the Nakkalites group, sees the film as a significant career opportunity. “Most people have seen me in purely comedic roles, but here I’ve grown as a character artist. The film addresses how death is inevitable for everyone—a universal truth presented in an engaging way.”
Writer Balaji, making his feature film debut after working in web series, emphasized the careful approach to potentially sensitive material: “Though it’s categorized as adult comedy, we’ve crafted the story thoughtfully to ensure no one feels uncomfortable watching it.”
Lead actor Vaibhav was reluctant to reveal plot details but assured audiences of the film’s quality. “This is also the first time I’ve acted alongside my brother, which adds a special dimension to the project for me personally.”
Distributor Saktivelan highlighted the film’s narrative strength: “The story contains a major twist right at the beginning that genuinely shocked me. Dhanalakshmi’s performance is reminiscent of legendary comedian Manorama, especially in her scenes with actress Deepa.”
According to director Elango Ram, the film draws inspiration from beloved 1980s Tamil comedies. “Classics like ‘Aan Paavam’ and ‘Indru Poi Naalai Va’ had a special way of entertaining families while addressing adult themes with taste. We’ve aimed to recapture that balance for contemporary audiences.”
Perusu releases in theaters worldwide on March 14.