Debutant director Michael K Raja spoke candidly about his decade-long journey to bring his film Pogumidam Vegu Thooramillai to the screen at the movie‘s press conference. The film, produced by Siva Gillery of Shark 9 Pictures, features actors Vimal and Karunaas in lead roles, promising a special cinematic experience.
“This is my first platform, and I have been working on this story for 10 years,“ Raja shared. “I have many other stories, but ‘Pogumidam Vegu Thooramillai‘ has been a long journey for me.“ He expressed his gratitude to the film‘s producer, praising his unwavering support despite the challenges they faced. “I have to say about the producer, he is like a child. I didn‘t expect that he would agree to make the film after hearing the story,“ Raja revealed. “But then the pandemic hit and delayed everything for three years. Even then, he said, ‘I have no idea how to make a film in the current situation, but I will make it for you.‘“
Raja spoke about the importance of perseverance and belief in one‘s vision. “Talent alone will get you into cinema, but you need to have faith in it to succeed,“ he asserted. He acknowledged the contributions of his crew, including the cinematographer, editor, and actors, particularly Vimal and Karunaas. “Vimal was incredibly dedicated,“ Raja emphasized. “He would arrive on set with makeup ready at 7 am, even though his role required him to act primarily through facial expressions without much dialogue. He was amazing.“
Actor Karunaas, reflecting on his experience working with Raja, highlighted the director‘s commitment to his vision. “The reason why the director speaks so solemnly is because of his talent,“ Karunaas observed. “He has made a very good film.“ He also shared his own belief in the film‘s potential impact, stating, “After listening to the story, I told my family that if this film is made, it will be a film that will be talked about even after we are gone.“
Vimal expressed his thanks to the producer and director for the opportunity to be a part of Pogumidam Vegu Thooramillai. “This is a film that I have never done before,“ Vimal stated. “The role is the most compelling I have ever played.“
The film, a departure from typical commercial Tamil cinema, features a strong supporting cast, including Mary Rickets, Aadukalam Naren, Manoj Kumar, and Deepa Shankar, among others.