The audio launch of the film ‘Chennai Files – First Page’, starring actor Vetri in the lead role, was held in Chennai. At this event, the film’s producer Maheswaran Devadass and co-producer Sandy Ravichandran were present to release the music of the film, and the film crew received them.
Directed by Anees Ashraf, ‘Chennai Files – First Page’ stars Vetri, Shilpa Manjunath, Thambi Ramaiah, Mahesh Das, Redin Kingsley, Subhadra, Anika and others. The cinematography of this film is done by Aravind and AGR has composed the music. This crime thriller film is being produced by Maheswaran Devadass on behalf of Chinnathambi Productions. The film, co-produced by Sandy Ravichandran, is being presented by Media Minds.
The audio launch of this film, which will be released in theaters worldwide on August 1st, was held in Chennai. The film’s producer and actor Maheshwaran Devadas, co-producer Sandy Ravichandran, director Anees Ashraf, hero Vetri, heroine Shilpa Manjunath, actresses Nayana and Anika, fight training director Noor, trend music Jitesh, playback singer Karishma Ravichandran and many others participated in this.
Speaking at the event, producer & actor Maheshwaran Devadas said, “I wanted to become an actor at the age of nine. I expressed my desire to my teacher. He advised me.
I am a fan of Kamal Haasan. At the age of 11, I watched the film ‘Apoorva Sahadhargal’ during my exams. Even though the teacher advised me not to focus on acting, that desire was imprinted in my mind. .
After that, I got married. Children were born. There was business. Covid came. Everyone spent their time on digital platforms like Netflix and Amazon. At that moment, everyone started watching all the films. What is special in Singapore is that they list the films as Top 10. There, everyone, including Chinese and Malays, watches films. In this, Tamil films are in the top 1 and 2. Everyone wants to watch Tamil films. I paid close attention to this. After that, I prepared myself and won the title of National Bodybuilder in Singapore at the age of 46. After that, I thought about how and where to express this physique. I really like villains. Villains are like the backbone of every film. I wanted to become a villain after watching the film Batman. Till today, I watch films like Killi, Thuppakki, Thani Oruvan repeatedly. I watch those films not only for Vijay but also for the villainous performances of Prakash Raj, Hindi Villain and Aravind Swamy who acted in the film.
I knew nothing about the Tamil film industry. I did my homework for two years for this. I did my homework on how many departments there are in the Tamil film industry and how they work. Some people tried to deceive me in this. It was only after that that Ashraf was introduced. From there, it took two years to make this film.
I have a job in Singapore, a family, and two children. I am an international stage speaker, writer, and I run a football training academy. While managing all these tasks, I supervised the work of this film in between.
I was sure that if I planned and worked properly, I would be able to deliver a good film. Cinema is the only entertainment for hard-working people.
I started my production company in the name of my grandfather. I started my production company with two objectives in mind: there should be no pornographic scenes and there should be no scenes that degrade women. I planned to make films so that they would be entertaining and so that I could visit the cinema with my family and have a cinema experience. This is what I clearly conveyed to director Ashraf. The story is good. However, we discussed what the teaser and trailer of the film would be. That is why I asked him to direct a short film first.
This film has an important social message. We have tried for the first time that this can be said in the crime thriller genre. I think this will be the first attempt in that regard.
We completed all the work on this film in December 2023. After that, we took a year to trim the film neatly. Because the aim is to give a good film.
I would like to thank everyone, including the co-producer of the film, Sandy Ravichandran, at this moment. This film is releasing on August 1st. I request everyone to watch it and support it,” he said.
Fight training director Noor said, “I am grateful to the producer and director for giving me the opportunity to work in this film. Maheswaran Devadas, who is making his debut as the villain, said that he did not want any dupes in the action scenes. We discussed whether we could use dupes while filming a scene like jumping from the fourth floor. But he said that he would do it himself and acted bravely. He trained for this scene in a single day. This showed his dedication and passion for acting. The audience will enjoy this scene when it comes on screen. I request the fans to support this film,” he said.
The film’s co-producer, Sandy Ravichandran, said, “Director Asraf has made this film beautifully. All the artists have put in hard work. This film has come out better than I expected. There are four songs in this film, all of which are good. All the actors, actresses and technicians who have acted in this film have worked very well. I hope you all like this film.”
Actress Shilpa Manjunath said, “Thank you to the Tamil film industry for continuously giving me opportunities. When I made my debut in Tamil, I did not know Tamil. I did not know acting either. However, it is in Tamil Nadu that talented people are identified, given opportunities and appreciated. They also continue to support me. I have acted in many films like ‘Kaali’, ‘Ispad Rajavum Idhaya Raniyum’ and ‘Singha Penne’.
I have a desire to act in different roles in many films. In that sense, I have played a journalist in this film. For this, I thank the director for believing in me and giving me an opportunity. This film has come out very well. I hope you all like it. Maheswaran Devadass is making his debut as an actor through this film. I welcome him on behalf of the Tamil film industry. The film will be released on August 1. I request everyone to visit the cinema hall, watch it, enjoy it and support me,” she said.
Director Anees Ashraf said, “I have worked as an assistant to A. R. Murugadoss. I have directed the film ‘Pisasu’ directed by Mysskin in Kannada under the name ‘Ratsasi’. This is my first film in Tamil. The name of the film is ‘Chennai Files First Page’. This is my first page in Tamil. This is also the first film for my producer Maheswaran Devadas.
This is an important platform. There will be no assistant directors or co-directors who are not interested in this platform. Today, this platform has become possible for me. I pray that it becomes possible for all of you soon.
Producer Maheswaran Devadas introduced me to him over the phone through a friend in Singapore. After that, he also expressed his desire to play a villain. After seeing his photo, I happily said that I would introduce you as a villain. Because his muscular physique is the main reason. After that, I directed a short film for him. In that short film, he had displayed his acting skills. After that, I explained the story of the film to him in full. He also liked it. The work on the film began. Even though he was a producer, he started to get along as a friend and an actor. His involvement was surprising.
We completed the shooting of the film as planned with the cooperation of the technicians.
We kept the first page because it was relevant to the story. The first page of Chennai Files can be considered as the information that is placed on the first page of a crime incident that took place in Chennai.
One thing I learned from director A. R. Murugadoss while working with him is that before starting to discuss a story, he decides on a social message and decides to tell it to the people. For this, he creates the story, scenes and screenplay. That is why I have also created the story and screenplay with a social message in this film.
Many films have been released as crime thrillers. They say that ghost films and thrillers are safe for producers to invest in. We have made this film in the crime thriller genre with a social message. I hope it will appeal to the audience.
Cinematographer Aravind, music composer AGR, and editor VS Vishal, all the technical artists provided their full cooperation. For that, I would like to express my gratitude at this moment.
Many people asked me why I chose Vetri as the hero of this film. After telling the story of this film to the producer, when he asked who the hero was, I only said one name, Vetri. I firmly said that Vetri would be suitable for the character of a crime novelist’s son from Madurai. I also explained that if I had to fight the villain of the film, only Vetri would be an actor with a similar physical appearance and body language, and the producer agreed to this.
After that, I met Vetri and told him the entire story of the film. After listening to the story and reading the entire script, he agreed to act. I also thank him at this moment.
I contacted heroine Shilpa Manjunath and had a conversation, and since she was in Delhi at that time, I told her the entire story over the phone. At that time, she said that I would see if my character was strong in the film I was acting in, or whether the film would be a successful film. She said that I would act in this film because it has both. She is playing a reporter in this film. I would like to thank him at this moment.
Also, Thambi Ramaiah and Redin Kingsley have acted in this film. I would like to thank them all,” he said.
Speaking, Nayagan Vetri said, “First of all, I would like to thank the producer and director for giving me the opportunity to act in this film.
Once again, I would like to thank the director who chose me and said that it would be good if I acted in the film ‘Chennai Files – First Page’. I saw his short film. I was filled with confidence after watching it. His talent shone in it. Similarly, he completed the shooting on the days he said. After a long time, we have made an emotional crime thriller film. We worked together as a family on the set. I would like to thank all the actors, actresses, technicians who acted in the film at this moment. The film will be released in theaters on August 1. I request everyone to visit the theater with their families, watch it, enjoy it and give their support,” he said.
