Director Cheran’s film ‘Autograph’, starring, produced and directed by the hero of the story, will be released in theaters worldwide on the 14th. The film, which was released in 2004, is being remade with modern technology.
In this situation, the film crew organized a special event called ‘Autograph Reunion’ to share the changes made in the film with the media and fans. Director Ameer and actor Aari participated in this reunion event held in Chennai along with the film crew as special guests.
At the beginning of the event, director, producer and actor Cheran honored the actors and technicians who worked in the film with a commemorative award. The assistants who worked with Cheran in the film ‘Autograph’ shared their experiences with enthusiasm.
Cheran, actress Sneha, Cheran’s assistants Ramakrishnan, Jagatheesan, Pandiraj, Umapathy, Jagan, lyricist Snehan, composers Bharadwaj, Murali, art directors Vairabalan, J.K, Mani Raj, actor Ganesh Babu, cinematographer Vijay Milton, director Ameer, and actor Aari participated in the event.
Music composer Bharadwaj said, “Even though I have been working in the music industry for thirty years and have composed music for more than a hundred films, the experience of composing music for the film ‘Autograph’ is unforgettable. I think that music should give importance to lyrics and emotions. All the songs featured in this film were composed in that way. The main reason for this is director Cheran. The songs from the film ‘Autograph’ have made it to the hit list of songs released in my music. For this, I would like to thank Cheran again at this moment. After 21 years, when the film ‘Autograph’ was re-released, and I heard my voice in it saying ‘Nnaapagam Varude…’, old memories came back to me. The song ‘Nnaapagam Varude…’ was written by Cheran himself. He listed the first events that took place, compiled them beautifully, and turned them into a song. I express my heartfelt gratitude to all the technicians who worked on the film,” he said.
Director Pandiraj said, “When I joined Cheran as an assistant, he once watched the film ‘Forrest Gump’. He told us that he wanted to write a story like that. After that, a week later, he told us the story of the film ‘Autograph’. I stayed with him in the office together. It was an amazing experience. He would share his anger, affection, regret, sorrow, everything with Jagan and me.
Everyone is new in this film. In order to have a commercial face for the film, talks were held with actress Sneha. As Ramakrishnan mentioned, this story went to actor Vijay. After that, it went to actor Prabhu Deva. After that, talks were held with Aravind Swamy. Talks were also held with actor Srikanth. He never wanted Cheran to act in the film Autograph. It was the story of Autograph that attracted him as an actor. When he said that he was going to act, Simbu and I “Even Devan and I protested. After the film became a success, Cheran and other assistants looked at me with meaning. Our director worked hard and honestly despite all the humiliations and insults he faced. It was only after becoming a director that I realized how difficult it was. I have learned a lot from him. All my films will have his influence. I cannot make a film without his influence. This film will also be celebrated by the younger generation of today,” he said.
Actor Aari said, “Everyone who spoke here talked about their friendship, relationship and love with Cheran. A letter from one of his relatives introduced me to him. I met him in his office. He said he would call me when the work on the film begins. When I found out that he was directing a film called Autograph, I contacted him again.
At that time, I was a gym trainer. So he saw my six-pack body and the appearance of gaining weight when I became a trainer. Then he asked who you are and what you do. I said I am a gym trainer. After that, I will act in a film. He asked if I can change like you showed in the photo. I said I can change.
As far as I heard, Kamal Haasan was the only one who would hurt his body for a character during that period. After that, actor Vikram showed interest in those things. When Cheran asked with the same desire and involvement, I became his gym trainer because even though I did not get a chance to act in this film, I would get a chance to interact with him.
His commitment amazed me. Another thing that impressed me about him was his memory. During the shooting, he would take me to Kerala and reserve a room for me and he would also set aside time to exercise. It was during that moment of relaxation that he told me the story of the film. After listening to the story, I said that this film will be a hit because I am also a love failure case.
I got an opportunity to act in the film ‘Aadum Koothu’. I had only two lines of dialogue on the set. I could not speak it properly. After that incident, I decided to take acting lessons first and went to Koothupattai. After that, the reason why I learned acting and came to this stage today is because of director Cheran.
Today, Mari Selvaraj is celebrated as giving works related to caste eradication. But 28 years ago, through the film ‘Bharathi Kannamma’, it was Cheran who gave a work related to caste eradication based on caste.
Similarly, it was Cheran who bravely spoke about the flaws of the regime through the film ‘Desiya Geetham’.
Today, the younger generation jokingly refers to love. ‘I have had two breakups’. ‘I have had four breakups’. Autograph is the film that gave hope that love will come again after one love. Among many young people who thought that life was over with one love, a film like this created the expectation and hope that another love would come. Autograph is the film that told the story of love being a continuous story.
If his assistants shared their thoughts freely about the director on stage here, it is also because of the democratic nature of director Cheran. I sincerely appreciate this.
Watch this film and post your comments on the social networking site regularly. Because we are interested in knowing what kind of impact such films have,” he said.
Speaking, composer Murali said, ”Cheran is very passionate about music. He looks at everything delicately. There is a song in the film ‘Pokkisham’ called ‘Nila Athuvanam…’. In that song, when the heroine runs and stands at a certain place, she makes a wheezing sound. He even meticulously found and corrected a small mistake that was made while adding this special sound to the song.
We watched the movie Autograph four months ago. I said that there was no need for any changes in the music, but he said that some changes should be made for today’s young generation of fans. So we have made some changes. Everyone will know this after the release of the movie. This movie will be a huge success,” he said.
Speaking, Director Ameer said, ”Autograph is a story about a man’s old memories. When talking about that movie after 21 years, a lot has been said about Cheran. I know all of Cheran’s assistants.
When he was shooting for Autograph, I was shooting for Ram in Kodaikanal. At that time, the audio launch of Autograph was held in Chennai. At that time, he spoke with tears in his eyes on stage. At that time, I knew about him but had no close relationship. At that time, I asked him if I could help you financially with one lakh rupees. He refused. After that, I met Cheran in his office after the autograph signing ceremony.
Cheran generally takes good care of women. Because Cheran has been around many women related to his sister, younger sister, aunt, and friend. He doesn’t have many relationships like brother and younger brother. That’s why Cheran is more familiar with women. That feeling will always be there with Cheran. I realized this after interacting with him.
I don’t know where to start and where to end because Cheran and I have such a long relationship.
Cheran is an accomplished artist in Tamil cinema, an indispensable artist, a people’s artist. A great artist. When I go to Cheran’s office, I feel jealous of the awards behind him. He would stack them up with national awards, state awards, and filmfare awards. After Balachander, I saw many awards from Cheran.
The assistants who worked for Cheran shared their experiences here. But it was Cheran who gave them recognition.
I was the one who saw Cheran’s first film in our local theater. After that, I saw his success. When I and director Bala were staying in a room in Saligramam, Cheran would come there. His vision is like a sandalwood. But he is soft-hearted.
Even though he and I have many differences of opinion, our friendship and relationship with him continues. He has a love for him. He forgets everything easily.
He still keeps his mind young. He is continuously working towards that.
No one else can make a film like Autograph. Watching this film, one will always be reminded of his past. This is such a work.
This film was released in a different version as ‘Premam’. Even now, if it is made in a way that suits this Gen Z generation, this film will be a huge success. This film should give Cheran a big financial success. I pray that this generation knows that a great artist named Cheran is alive,” he said.
Actress Sneha said, ” I am happy to meet the artists who worked on Autograph again after all these years. This film is being released again. It will definitely be a success. It was new when I saw the trailer of the film.
I would like to ask Cheran just one question. I would like to know how many love failures you faced while writing this story. I think there will be a long list for that.
This film taught me a lot. I was stressed and depressed while working on this film. The only person who found it was Cheran.
We were shooting a song scene for the film Autograph. At that time, I was depressed. No one knew about it. I would keep smiling accordingly. At that time, I was sitting in a corner. Then he sat next to me and asked what was wrong with you. I said nothing. At that time, I only knew that you had some problem. But he said that it would get better soon and said that he would befriend me. From that day on, he has been my best friend for 21 years. If you ask who my best friend is, I will tell you, Marathatti, Cheran.
After watching this film, many people asked me whether a man and a woman can be friends. We are proving that. I want this film to be successful for him. He worked hard for that. We know how much he suffered for the release of the film.
If you ask me which is my favorite film I have acted in, I will definitely answer Autograph. He taught me how much expression to express while filming the song ‘Each Flower..’. That experience alone is enough for me.
This generation has described love differently. But the person who said that this is what love is, the film he said it in. Autograph. This will succeed,” he said.
Director Cheran said, “This platform has become a platform for praise and criticism of Cheran. This is how it will be. In all these years of journey, I have met all kinds of people. I have met all the good people. I have faced many bad reasons. I have seen all the problems. We have overcome everything. That is what this film says. You will see many new things in life. So, go through it as you are. This is what life has taught me.
I have had differences of opinion with everyone who spoke on this platform. However, they are sitting on the platform for me. So there is nothing to explain in this.
I have given freedom to my assistants. You must have seen many platforms and festivals. Is there a platform where a director was criticized by his assistants? But I have given it. I will continue to give it. I will continue to talk to them. Because a father knows the nature of his children. The way my father raised me.. I have raised my assistants in the same way.
After 21 years, what have we done to make Autograph reach the young generation of today’s fans? What will this film tell them? I would have made a film like this. If I had made a film for commercial purposes, I would have disappeared someday. I would have given a big success. I would have worked with big heroes in the film Anju. After that, I would have disappeared. But even today, if my film holds someone’s hand and brings them to shore, then that is my success. That is how I have made each of my films.
I have made this Autograph film like this. No matter what failure there is, every human being has the mentality to overcome it. Love is the only tool in this. Don’t get tired anywhere.. This film is saying that. I have felt and sung the song ‘Every Flower..’ many times. Snehan has also sung it many times. Aamir must have sung it many times. Sneha must have sung this song many times. Because failure comes to everyone. When you face it, overcome it and succeed, There will be a joy. This film will give it to everyone who sees it.
I am not going to achieve anything by releasing this film now. We know how the current generation is. If this generation sees this film, they may have a different idea. We can only sow. We are releasing this film again because it is worthy of that.
See a person as a person. Don’t think that you need to correct him. Enjoy him as he is. You will be beautiful. That is how I see this world as beautiful.
Aamir is right about one thing. I was born and raised with women. They have matured me. I can only show love to women. If it doesn’t look like love in the eyes of others, it’s not my problem. If the friendship between me and Sneha continues today, it’s because of the dignity between us. I am the most important reason why Sneha and Prasanna got married. Prasanna is an important friend to me. Someone who respects me. Don’t postpone your marriage because of problems. That will become a problem. Get married first. I told you that you can face what comes after that. I only think good things for those around me. If it doesn’t look good, it’s not my problem. It’s their problem.
When the movie Autograph was first released, there were no crowds in the theaters. The crowds increased only after the reviews about the movie were published in the newspapers. They celebrated this movie. It gave an inspiration to the directors to create good works.
Reviews were once honest and broad-minded. But today something went wrong. Today, when everything is online and marketing is considered, I feel like we have lost humanity.
I have re-edited this film and reduced it by 15 minutes. I have completely color corrected this film to suit today’s environment. Although the music is old-fashioned, we have incorporated new music techniques like Dolby Atmos so that it does not tire the fans. I am sure that the audience will not be disappointed anywhere. I have worked to provide a new experience with this film by spending 50 lakh rupees,” he said.
