The film ‘Anbil Avan’, starring Ashok Selvan, Preethi Mukundan, Sabumon Abdusamad, Kathir Balu, Maha Delhi Ganesh and others, is directed by R. Karthikeyan. The story has been written by Vignesh Raja, director of Por Thozhil. Govind Vasantha has composed the music, Gautham Rajendran is the cinematographer, R.K. Selva is the editor, and Manikandan Srinivasan is the art director.
The film has been jointly produced by K. Karunamoorthy, Ashok Selvan and Abinaya Selvam under the banners of Ayngaran International and Happy Hi Pictures. Sri Kumaran Films’ Rasi Chidambaram is presenting the film.
Producer Abinaya
Speaking on behalf of Happy Hi Pictures, producer Abinaya said:
“The reason we decided to make this film was the story. We liked the story so much that we decided to produce it. It was that good in quality. Later, we brought together a very intelligent and talented team. Just like a dream project, this can also be called a dream team.
My younger brother and I have always shared a very good understanding. I am usually the one who talks and does things more. We are always talking to each other. Whenever I have doubts about something, my brother is the one who gives me the approval. Based on the characters Ashok has played, people should not assume that he is a serious person. We are always talking and laughing together. If I tell him something twice, he listens, and I am the same way.
Ashok is not only my brother but also my good friend. The story of Anbil Avan is about how a loving couple faces problems and fights their way through them. His character is such that many people may wish they could have a husband like him.”
Kavitha Pandian – Ayngaran International
Speaking on behalf of Ayngaran International, its publicity director Kavitha Pandian said:
“This film is very close to my heart. I was amazed after seeing the actors, the crew and their efforts. I have come here on behalf of our Karunamoorthy sir. Ashok Selvan has acted wonderfully in this film. He is not only like my brother but also my friend. We are like twins. I request everyone to go to theatres and watch this film.”
Gautham Ram Karthik
Actor Gautham Ram Karthik, who attended the event as a friend, said:
“I was very happy after watching the trailer and teaser of this film. Everything looks wonderful. Ashok Selvan is my friend. If someone can be called a ‘dream lover’, I would call him a ‘dream friend’. We have become very close over the past two years. Whenever I speak to him, he makes me forget my problems. I feel blessed to have his friendship.
The film has come out wonderfully. There is a certain magic in it. Even the sound design is very good.”
Think Music Santhosh
“I’m extremely happy. We have been associated with Ashok Selvan from his first film through many of his films, and it is a pleasure to be part of this one too.
Govind Vasantha is like one of our own artists. There are five or six songs by him in this film. ‘Aasai Varame’ and ‘Kalla Nikkiriye’ have become great hits.
Govind Vasantha told us a year ago that this album would become a big success, and that has happened. Everyone in the film has competed with each other in their performances. Ashok Selvan and Preethi Mukundan have acted and danced very well. The climax will be something nobody expects.
Thank you for giving Think Music the opportunity to be part of this film.”
Editor R.K. Selva
“I entered this film through Ashok Selvan. We are college friends. This is a story involving two people. Preethi has an equally important role alongside Ashok Selvan. Vignesh Raja has written the story wonderfully.
Govind Vasantha’s music is very good. Initially, there were supposed to be three songs, but now it has become six. Ashok and I had earlier made a short film together. I am happy and proud to see him grow into a major actor. He has come a long way.”
Cinematographer Gautham Rajendran
“First, I would like to thank Abi akka. I thank director Karthik for trusting me and giving me this opportunity. I am also grateful for giving me the freedom to experiment in different ways.
I learned many things from Ashok anna. The confidence he gave me helped me work better.”
Harish Kalyan
“Ashok has given us many films through his work as an actor, and many of them have been successful. He has now grown into a major actor. My best wishes for all his efforts.
He told me that he jumped from a height of 70 feet for an action sequence. I asked him whether it had been documented as proof. I wasn’t surprised that he did it because he is that courageous. He is an inspiration to many and someone who takes on real challenges.
Preethi Mukundan chooses good stories and is working in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. She is a dedicated actress. Abi akka is talented and has brought talented people together to make this film.
I am happy to be among those who are wishing this film well. Govind Vasantha’s music has become a big success. Everyone should support this film. I believe Ashok Selvan will become a pan-Indian star within the next five years.”
Composer Govind Vasantha
“After a long gap, I can say that this is a film I truly enjoyed working on. Working on this film has been a happy experience.
Ninety-nine percent of the films I have worked on have been with debut directors. Though I have contributed many songs to such films, many talented technicians have also emerged through them. This film too has many technically talented people.
The film has been made to a very promising standard.”
Story Writer and ‘Por Thozhil’ Director Vignesh Raja
“As a writer, I am very happy. Before entering cinema, I made corporate films. At that time, we were travelling by car near Jaipur in North India. It was raining heavily. We were worried that the equipment on top of the car would get wet, so we stopped the Innova and used a flex banner we found nearby to cover the equipment.
We did not notice whose image was on the flex banner. Because of that, we got into a major problem. That incident became the first seed for this story.
This is a love story. It is about a couple who want to live the life they dreamed of and how they face challenges along the way.
First Abinaya and Ashok Selvan came on board, and later Karthik joined. The film has turned out much better than I imagined.
I have known Ashok Selvan for 15 years. Back then, after watching Mission: Impossible, we would talk and behave like the characters in the film. He was the lead actor in my first film. Now, we have become like family.
Ashok and I have run around the streets together and struggled together. Thinking about him makes me happy and proud.”
Kathir Balu
The actor who played one of the villains said:
“While making the film itself, we knew how good it was going to be. Govind Vasantha’s songs have come out very well.
There are several scenes in the film that were shot in a single take. Usually, such scenes are performed by trained stunt artists, but that was not the case here. Yet they managed to shoot those scenes successfully, and they deserve appreciation.
Thank you to Ashok Selvan, Abinaya and the director for choosing me.”
Maha Delhi Ganesh
Maha Delhi Ganesh, son of actor Delhi Ganesh and another actor playing a villain, said:
“First, I would like to thank everyone for giving me this opportunity. Preethi Mukundan performed difficult and intense scenes without allowing the discomfort to affect her performance, and I thank her for that.
Whenever we had doubts, the director would come and clarify them for us. The film crew stood by us throughout. Peter Hein Master’s action sequences have come out wonderfully. I feel proud to have acted under his direction.”
Sabumon
Another villain actor, Sabumon, said:
“I came from Kerala to Tamil Nadu. I initially thought I shouldn’t speak Malayalam here. Although I was born in Kerala, I spent my childhood near the border, so I know a little Tamil.
I like Tamil. I like Tamil culture, Tamil people and Tamil cinema. We worked together like a family on this film. Though I have acted in Tamil films before, this was an important and unforgettable experience.
Ashok Selvan, Karthik and I would often have disagreements.
I am actually a calm person, but I have played a brutal character in this film. During the shoot, they treated me even more harshly. They made me act in freezing temperatures without worrying about the discomfort.
In real life, I am a quiet person, but in the film I have acted very differently. They chased me around and pushed me to work without even giving me time to breathe. At the time, it felt difficult and painful. But after watching the film, all of that disappeared.
I don’t know what to say at this event now. I even asked my wife to use ChatGPT and write in Tamil what I should say. But I couldn’t read it and forgot everything.
We need your love and support.
I didn’t just get a producer through this film; I also got a friend. I found friends here who are very close to my heart. Thank you to everyone.”
Stunt Master Peter Hein
“This film is personally very important to me. It is not something that is told in the usual way.
I had worked with Vignesh Raja before, and we became friends. Producer Abinaya gave me the script and told me to read it and take it up if I liked it.
At that time, I was working on 17 films. I wanted to understand how the action sequences would look from the director’s perspective. I asked him how he wanted each scene to be designed.
After coming to this film, my entire approach changed. I became like a member of the family. Ashok Selvan became like a brother to me. I stayed with this film like an elder brother.
In my 34 years of experience, I have never felt this way about a film. I felt as though it was my own production company and my own film.
You may not believe this, but because of my personal circumstances, I have sat alone and cried at the shooting location. After crying, I would immediately return and choreograph the action sequences for this film.
I cared deeply about this film. We discussed everything with the director and Ashok Selvan, and that is how we made it.
It was a new experience for me. There were three villains in the film, and they have done a wonderful job. It is an entertainment film, but we approached it seriously.
Preethi Mukundan was like a rose among blades and nails in this film. I gained many experiences through this project.
At the time, I was also working on Mandadi. Although I had many films in hand, I told my secretary that I would not take up any other work for 45 days and would not give dates to anyone because I could not leave this project midway.
I adjusted many things for this one film because I became emotionally involved with it like a family project.
The music of this film is very good. Gautham, the cinematographer, will go far. Ashok Selvan and Abinaya, I will always stand behind you.
The action sequences in this film will be an unexpected treat.
There is a video currently going viral in which women aged around 20 to 25 say they want two or five lakh rupees and a husband who looks like Yash. If they had watched this film, or if this film had released earlier, they would have said they wanted a husband like Ashok Selvan.”
Director Ashwath Marimuthu
“I came straight from a shooting location. I started the shoot two hours early and finished two hours early just so I could attend this event.
I got everything from this place. My first film was Oh My Kadavule. The story was the reason the film turned out well, and Vignesh Raja played an important role in it.
We are part of the same group and discuss things together. Action is the foundation of this film, so Peter Hein Master is a major strength. Composer Govind Vasantha is another major strength.
Their success is important to me. This film is the best example of how a movie can work well when its foundation is strong.
When Preethi Mukundan was approached for Dragon, she initially refused. Later, I told her that a wonderful film was coming her way. That film was this one.
I heard that Ashok Selvan jumped from a height of 70 feet. That didn’t surprise me. Even if he were 150 feet high, he would probably jump. He is an action hero.
When I directed him, he was never late even once. Even now, Rajinikanth sir, who is acting in my upcoming film Dharman, has never been late despite his age. He is enthusiastic every day.
Even after 50 years of experience, he asks with curiosity what we are going to do that day.
Initially, I was afraid about how I would direct him. But Rajinikanth sir made himself comfortable with me and adapted naturally. His dedication is amazing.
Ashok Selvan loves and respects cinema. This moment is very important to me.”
Composer Nivas K. Prasanna
“I am very happy. This feels like a family event. I remember working with Ashok Selvan in Thegidi. It makes me proud to see how much he has grown today. I wish him continued growth and happiness.”
Director R. Karthikeyan
“First, I would like to thank all the assistant directors and assistant cinematographers who worked with me.
Over the past two years, I have spoken more with my co-director than with my wife. Thank you to everyone.
I don’t think I have much to say about the film because the film is good. I have confidence in it. From the censor board to the producers, distributors and OTT platforms, everyone has said that it is good.
We are eagerly waiting to show the film to you.
I have known Ashok Selvan for ten years. Since 2017, we have started several films that could not continue. In one film, the producer rejected us; in another, we rejected the producer. We have experienced everything from shooting for just one day to completing 13 days of shooting.
I feel proud when I think about Ashok Selvan and Abinaya. I am also proud of Happy Hi Pictures as a production company. They are ready to give opportunities to debut directors in Tamil cinema. Come with good stories.
Ashok Selvan’s ability to choose stories can be seen from Thegidi onwards.
Thank you for making me a director. Without Vignesh Raja, this film would not have happened. That is the kind of story it is.
Abinaya chooses good stories. Once, while I was travelling to Madurai because my sister was unwell, I received a phone call. That is how this journey began. She gave me confidence and this opportunity.
The entire film came together through this trust.
The encouragement and support given by Ashok Selvan were important. He was involved in my film almost like an assistant director. His help with promotional activities was also immense.
I am happy that we have made the film properly. I hope Happy Hi Pictures continues to grow. They provide opportunities to debut directors and talented people.
They have assembled a talented team. If we suggest one idea, they can come back with ten more ideas. The cinematographer, editor and sound engineer who worked on this film are all talented.
Peter Hein Master’s involvement in this film was extraordinary. He may look childlike, but when it comes to work, he goes beyond all limits. The final 30 minutes of the film can be called Peter Hein Master’s portion.
Despite having personal problems, he continued working on this film for more than 40 days.
Govind Vasantha chooses good lyrics along with good music. He has made Tamil singers sing in the film. The songs and lyrics are wonderful.
When I visited his home in Kochi, I was amazed by the way he composed music.
When I suggested changes and asked him to alter a line, he told me, ‘If I do that, it won’t be my song anymore; it will become your song.’ I will never forget that.
Some people have a huge team of assistants, but he is a one-man army. He plays the violin, veena and even instruments whose names I don’t know. It was refreshing to discover a composer like him in this generation.
Abinaya Selvam is a courageous woman and an example of determination. If assistant directors send her scripts, she responds within three hours. Everyone should make use of that opportunity.
Preethi Mukundan may have given an average performance in one scene, but she kept asking what she should do and how she could improve. She is extremely enthusiastic and always keeps trying.
She is not just a star; she is an actress who focuses on the craft.
Gautham, the cinematographer, is very dear to me.
Very few people invest the money they earn from cinema back into cinema. Like Kamal sir, Ashok Selvan also invests what he earns from cinema back into it.
It is rare to find a producer like this. Abinaya and Ashok Selvan are not extremely wealthy people. They come from middle-class families. People may not believe it, but they struggled to make this film.
Because Ashok is fair-skinned, people assume he is very wealthy.”
Preethi Mukundan
“This event is very important and special to me.
First, I want to talk about Abinaya. She is a powerhouse. She is a very powerful woman.
When people watch a film, they see only the actors. They don’t see the powerful people working behind the scenes. But those people are the strength of a film.
Abinaya is one of the most important among them. She was a great inspiration to me. I love her very much.
Ashok Selvan and Abinaya welcomed me into their team as if they had adopted me. They guided me, trusted me and helped me grow. I often wondered why they were so loving towards me.
Ashok Selvan is wonderful. Working with him in this film has been an amazing journey. I am happy that I travelled through the entire film with him.
He has moved to a great level as an actor in this film. Not only that, he gave me space to perform and helped me reach a higher level in my acting.
Ashok Selvan was like a college friend to me. We would talk, fight, do silly things and discuss anything and everything.
Director Karthikeyan brought out a mature performance from me and gave me the opportunity to do it. While dubbing emotional scenes, sometimes I couldn’t even hear my own voice because of the emotions.
Instead of avoiding me, he taught me and guided me. Their trust gave me strength and confidence.
After this, I developed a desire to act in films with good writers and directors. Thank you for giving me such a strong role and the opportunity to perform it.
The cinematographer Gautham is around my age. He is the youngest person in this team. But we shared our feelings with each other.
He gave me feedback for every scene and helped me like a friend. Thank you.
I am interested in colours, and he presented me beautifully in the colours I like. Thank you for that.
Sethu supported me greatly, and I definitely have to thank him.
It was an honour for me to act under Peter Hein Master’s direction. It felt like he had honoured me.
He guided me in many ways, and I will always be grateful to him.
I am a huge fan of Govind Vasantha. I have loved his songs since 96. The songs in this film have also come out very well.
I was amazed by the performances of Kathir, Maha and Sabumon and wondered how they could act like that.
Thank you to all the assistant directors for making me feel like this was a family.”
Ashok Selvan
Speaking at the event, the film’s lead actor Ashok Selvan said:
“This is a happy occasion. I didn’t prepare anything specifically to speak here because we were continuously involved in the film’s work, including the censor process.
It has been two and a half years since my last film was released. In cinema, two and a half years can feel like five years.
Making a film is not just about doing something and moving on. When I think about cinema, I feel that it should create some kind of impact. I want to act only in films like that.
I want to choose good stories and good characters. We carefully selected everything for this film. I made many friends through this film and learned many experiences.
Everyone I invited to this event has come here, and that makes me happy.
I always think that I should attempt something and give people something meaningful. If my name is on a film poster, I feel that 100 percent of my effort should be present in it.
I should constantly reinvent myself and continue searching for better opportunities.
First, I want to thank my sister for giving me this important film. She has been with me for three or four years. She has gone through many difficult situations with me and helped me overcome many struggles.
She has been both a sister and a source of strength like a brother to me. At one point, many people may change, but my sister remained the same.
I thank my father and mother. When the budget of the film exceeded the planned amount and we needed the documents to mortgage our house because expenses were increasing, they gave them without hesitation. They supported their son’s dream and believed that he was trying to do something.
The director and I have been friends for ten years. I am happy when people who were introduced through my films go on to direct major films.
I am happy to see Vignesh Raja working on Dhanush’s film and Ashwath working on Rajinikanth sir’s film. I wish both of them continued growth.
Gautham Karthik, who is here, is like my younger brother. There is nothing more to say than that.
Editor Selva and I have been friends since college. He has given his best contribution.
Thank you to Peter Hein Master. He is the person who made this film a bigger film. I wondered whether someone who continuously works on big films would work on a small film like this. But he has created the action sequences in the best possible way.
Cinematographer Gautham has given us beautiful visuals.
When Preethi Mukundan acted in our film, only one of her films had been released. I would say she was the Bitcoin I invested in. Now, wherever I go for college events, people shout asking me to bring Preethi Mukundan.
She can even act in the second part of this film.
Sabumon chettan supplied bread for us during the shoot. He even set up a stall there and gave bread to everyone.
I must have attended around 100 or 200 auditions. We also selected people for this film through auditions. That is how we found talented people like Maha and Kathir. They will go to a great place.
This film, which has been made after selecting a good story, will provide an unforgettable theatrical experience.
I won’t say that this is the best film in the world. But I can say that it will be a good theatrical experience.
When Ayngaran International joined the film, Karunamoorthy sir told me one thing. He only listened to the story and said, ‘Other than that, do whatever you want.’
Thank you for all his support. I also thank my wife Keerthi.”
The event concluded with Happy Hi Pictures producer Abinaya thanking everyone.
