The audio launch event was held yesterday, with many film celebrities and political leaders attending as special guests.
Speaking at the event, actor Parthiban said, “The beautiful line ‘Life exists through love’ itself explains what kind of film this is. Love is something that cannot be bought at any cost. All of us have gathered here because of the affection we have for Meera Kathiravan. Director Ram is someone who is passionate about taking good films to the right audience. He strongly insisted that I must watch Habibi. Beyond earning money and profit, Meera Kathiravan is one of the few people who thinks about giving meaningful stories. He makes films very naturally. I was deeply saddened to hear that producer Rajan died by suicide today. When I asked producer Thenappan, he said Rajan had no shortage of comforts, but he lived in loneliness. After a certain age, everyone needs someone who speaks to them with affection. Habibi will be a film that spreads such love among all of us. All the technicians have worked brilliantly. Kasturi Raja was the reason I got the film Aayirathil Oruvan. He has given a very natural performance in this movie. At this moment, I also want to congratulate Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay. It is the confidence of an individual that has brought him to this position. He will definitely do good things for cinema. Best wishes to Meera Kathiravan and the film.”
Actor Samuthirakani said, “Making and bringing out a film like this is not an ordinary thing. So many people have gathered here only because of Meera Kathiravan. May this film bring him success. The film will definitely be emotional. It contains everything relevant to today’s times. Please do watch it.”
Director Magizh Thirumeni said, “I have watched Habibi. Congratulations to the team. Today, cinema is under pressure to follow trends and changing social situations. But there are certain films that stay very close to our lives. Habibi is one such film. I am proud that my friend Meera Kathiravan wrote this. The film talks about men leaving their homeland for livelihood, families suffering in separation, handloom workers affected by mechanization, and the breakdown of joint families. This is a film for Tamil society. It documents an era, a lifestyle, and a culture. The film also features a self-reliant woman in a hijab who makes her own decisions. Tamil cinema should continue giving opportunities to filmmakers like Meera Kathiravan, Thamira, and Lenin Bharathi. I worked as an assistant to Kasturi Raja, and that period remains a treasure in my life. Rahul releasing this film is one of its greatest strengths. Congratulations to everyone.”
Director Ganesh K. Babu said, “There is always great pressure while making a second film after the first one. In such a situation, I was amazed when I saw this trailer. I am happy to stand on a stage filled with filmmakers who struggle to create meaningful cinema. In today’s environment, a film like Habibi needs to be released. Films about the Muslim community are very rare in Tamil cinema. While watching this film, one can easily relate to it. Congratulations to the entire team.”
Director Hariharan Ram said, “I am happy to share the stage with directors whom I admire. This is truly Malavika’s debut film. I am a fan of Meera Kathiravan’s films. Best wishes to the team.”
Director Dinakaran Sivalingam said, “Congratulations to my friend Meera Kathiravan. My family too belongs to the handloom industry. The film portrays that life in a very detailed manner. It inspires upcoming filmmakers to depict their own lives and backgrounds without hesitation. This film will also be commercially successful among audiences. It is a very important film.”
Director Avinash said, “When I watched the special screening, it felt as though people in an Iranian film were speaking Tamil. It is special that the director cast newcomers without any background in cinema. I believe audiences will definitely like it.”
Director Suresh Rajakumari said, “This film about Muslim brothers has come out beautifully in Tamil cinema. It is important that this film gets a theatrical release. Congratulations to Meera Kathiravan and the team.”
Producer Thenappan said, “Everyone who has watched the film has said it has turned out excellently. I am sure Meera Kathiravan will live up to that confidence. Congratulations to the team.”
Director Cheran said, “I have watched this film. I felt like I myself was a character in it. Every director should come to Chennai to make such meaningful cinema. Congratulations to Meera Kathiravan, who has worked brilliantly in every frame of the film. The movie itself feels like a novel. No one can predict what the next scene will be. Films like this, which portray lifestyle and social change, help us reflect and understand ourselves better. The technical team has worked wonderfully. I hope critics give the film fair reviews. Best wishes.”
Director Zakariya Mohammed said, “I have watched many Tamil films, and I am happy that films like this are being made. It is a proud moment to share the stage with directors I admire. This film should also release in Kerala theatres. You have our support. Congratulations to the team.”
Director Suseenthiran said, “I do not have Muslim friends. Watching the lifestyle shown in Habibi left me amazed. Congratulations to Meera Kathiravan, Kasturi Raja, and the team. This film is suitable for all communities.”
Director Leena Manimekalai said, “It is joyful to see Meera Kathiravan’s years of hard work finally becoming reality. This film is a powerful cultural movement. It has taken years for something like this to happen in Tamil cinema. More than being a Muslim film, this can be seen as a story about three generations of women. That gives me satisfaction. I wish the film commercial success as well.”
Director Vetrimaaran said, “Habibi is important to me too. It speaks about the lives, dreams, losses, and pain of the Muslim community. Though it is a period film, it still feels relevant today. All the actors have lived within the story. Congratulations.”
Actor Nassar said, “I am still unable to come out of the emotional impact of Habibi. It will be a story loved by everyone.”
Director Durai said, “It is wonderful that so many people have gathered for this film. No other film has portrayed the lives of Muslims in such detail. This film must reach people properly, and for that, your support is needed. Sam C. S.’s music is a major strength of the film. Congratulations to the team.”
TVK MLA Mustafa said, “Best wishes for the film’s success. I haven’t watched films since 2007, but I will definitely watch Habibi. Chief Minister Vijay will surely watch it too.”
Singer Sathyan said, “I really loved Meera Kathiravan’s earlier film Aval Peyar Tamilarasi. Even the poster of this film suggests that it will become a huge success. Congratulations to the team.”
Director Pandiraj said, “Both Meera and I worked under Thangar Bachan sir, so we are close friends. This film should become a commercial success as well.”
Director Ameer said, “Generally, the Muslim community tends to stay away from cinema. But beyond being a film about that community, many people from the community itself have participated in this event. ‘Habibi’ means love and affection. Only people who have lived such a life could make this film. I do not agree with reducing it to merely a Muslim film. It is about a community that Tamil society forgot to portray. In Indian politics, Muslims are often stereotyped as extremists. After Vaazhai, this is the place where I have met so many directors together. Beyond being a film for Muslims, this is a film for Tamil society. Best wishes for its success.”
Director Mysskin said, “I don’t want this to be simplified as just a Muslim film. I always question what is truly good cinema, what is commercial cinema, and what is worth watching. The film Karuppu recently became a hit, and that makes me happy. Habibi deserves to become a hit too. After a long time, I cried watching a beautiful love story. Meera Kathiravan has made this film for his parents. Loving someone unknown is compassion, and this film teaches that. Kasturi Raja sir has acted three times better than Dhanush. This is a film that should be specially chosen and watched. May all the gods lighten the burdens of this film.”
Director Kasturi Raja said, “I have immense affection for Meera Kathiravan. One may find hardworking filmmakers and creators like him, but it is rare to find a human being like him. I have never acted before, but Meera Kathiravan believed in me. I am a thousand percent Hindu, yet Meera Kathiravan transformed me into a Muslim character through this story. This experience feels like a rebirth to me. I have not yet watched the film because I still do not recognize myself as an actor. I want to watch it in theatres among the people. This film will bring good rewards for Meera Kathiravan’s struggles. It has given me confidence that I will remain in cinema as long as I live. For everyone born on this earth, the only true identity is being human; everything else is false.”
Director Pa. Ranjith said, “Our society has many faces, but we rarely understand each other properly. Many films have been made about the majority community. Through literature and Malayalam cinema, I have somewhat understood Muslim life. This is an important film for Tamil cinema, and Tamil audiences will definitely like it.”
Actor Eesha said, “Thanks to all the directors who attended this event. Thanks to producer and director Meera Kathiravan for giving me this opportunity. I have the same respect for Kasturi Raja sir that I have for my father. The film needs your support.”
Actress Malavika Manoj said, “This is my first Tamil film. Congratulations to the entire team.”
Music composer Sam C. S. said, “In the middle of violence-filled films, I got the opportunity to compose music for a story that gently caresses the heart like a peacock feather. Meera and I fought a lot, but now we are close friends. Thanks to Meera Kathiravan for giving me this opportunity. Everyone in the team has worked brilliantly. A major award awaits Kasturi Raja for his performance.”
Director Ram said, “I think this is the first Tamil film where you will hear so many Islamic names together. This is a Muslim film without green amulets, butcher shops, or biryani stereotypes. It will break the false images we have built about Muslims. This is the first authentic Tamil Muslim cinema. I pray for the film’s success.”
Director Meera Kathiravan said, “Thanks to all the technicians who worked on the film. When people heard Kasturi Raja sir was acting in this film, many asked, ‘Aren’t Muslims supposed to be fair-skinned?’ This film will break many such stereotypes. I did not direct this film—it directed me. I have kept that as a suspense. There is another important person behind this film too. When I entered cinema and changed my real name to Meera Kathiravan, many questions arose. Meera is my mother’s name, and I chose Kathiravan to reflect a Tamil identity. An Iyengar man from an agraharam gave his house for the story of Mohammed Yusuf. Beyond religion and caste, love and humanity are greater than everything else. Habibi is a film that speaks about such love. Kasturi Raja sir gave wonderful cooperation and acted brilliantly. Everyone in the team has performed well. Please watch the film and support it.”
