Following Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom and Seethakaathi, director Balaji Tharaneetharan and Vijay Sethupathi are teaming up for their third film, Pattha. Presented by Star Studio18 and director Atlee, and jointly produced by A for Apple Studios and Cine1 Studios Production, the film is scheduled to release worldwide in theatres on October 1.
The grand audio launch of the film was held yesterday evening at Sathyabama University in Chennai in the presence of thousands of fans.
Speaking at the event, lyricist Karthik Netha said:
“Pattha is a film that is very close to my heart. I believe this film will serve as an awakening for every person who observes life, learns from it, pays attention to every moment and gains clarity through those experiences. The world has always been complicated. It becomes a more beautiful place when people understand and overcome its complexities through intelligence and love. Pattha beautifully speaks about this. I can say this with confidence because I know what this film is about.
My relationship with Balaji Anna did not begin yesterday. Today, many people know me as a poet and lyricist, but Balaji Anna knew the Karthik I was before I became all this. At one point in my life, I was going through a very difficult phase. He allowed me to stay at his office, gave me food, let me rest and encouraged me to start writing again. He similarly kept me with him and gave me work during Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom. Even knowing the situation I was in, Balaji Anna never abandoned me.
Balaji Tharaneetharan is someone who loves art wholeheartedly. He does not seek any material comforts that art can provide; the peace of mind and profound happiness that art gives him are enough. I would do anything for him. Not just for this film, I would even write another hundred songs like ‘Maghale’ for him. Standing here on this stage, I understand even more clearly that there is nothing in this life beyond love.”
Lyricist Tamil said:
“This is my first audio launch, and I am extremely happy to share the stage with sir for the first time. I thank the Think Music team, Santhosh Anna, Vignesh Anna and everyone who gave me this opportunity. Before writing lyrics for Pattha, I mostly wrote indie songs. But for this film, I had to learn to write differently and make the lyrics more poetic. It was a small learning journey for me.
The director sir was extremely helpful throughout this process. Whenever I had a doubt, I could call him at any time, and he would answer the phone, give me the right inputs and guide me. I thank him for his complete support. I also thank Atlee sir.”
Lyricist Gaana Jani said:
“This is my first experience, so I am extremely excited. I have written a different kind of song for this film. Some of the songs I have written earlier have reached audiences and some have even become trends. I am very thankful to the director sir for discovering me and giving me the opportunity to write a song for this film. I don’t even know what to say; I am simply very happy about this opportunity.
Sai Abhyankkar called me for the first time and asked if we could work on a song. He initially sent me the tune. I did not know which film it was for or who was acting in it. Only after hearing the tune did I learn that it was a Vijay Sethupathi film. As a Vijay Sethupathi fan, I immediately became excited. Sai’s approach was also different. He suggested taking one word and building a different kind of song around it. I then completed the lyrics.
After the song was ready, we all practised together. Everyone performed very well during the shoot. Since it was my first time on a film set, I was quite nervous. We had to do several takes for a single scene, and I apologise to sir for that. But the experience was completely new and exciting for me. I won’t say much more; from now on, my lyrics will speak.”
Art director Muthuraj said:
“I am very happy to be part of Pattha. We can make many big films these days, but to make a good film, actors and producers have to agree to choose a good story. I thank Vijay Sethupathi sir, producers Atlee, Priya and everyone who agreed to make such a good story. I have known Balaji for a long time, and he has always wanted to make good stories. Many people have good stories, but they do not get the opportunity to make them. I thank everyone who supported Balaji and helped make this film possible.
For Pattha, we created 1980s Chennai as a separate world. I have watched many foreign films, and after seeing how those worlds were created, I wanted to create something similar in our own setting. Balaji also looked at every detail and wanted it to be more distinctive and feel like a complete world. We designed many props for this. Including the boxing equipment seen in the trailer, we spent three months creating various elements. Many objects that were commonly available during that period are no longer easily available today, so we had to work separately on every small detail. But when I see the film and think about how much work went into those little objects, it makes me very happy.”
He further added that cinematographer Selvakumar had done an excellent job, while praising Lijomol Jose and the rest of the technical team. He said the film had been a very good experience for him and that some scenes were so emotional that they brought him to tears.
Editor Kalaivanan said:
“I had taken a break after working on several commercial films. When Pattha came to me, it was a major change. I could not approach this film in the same way as my previous films. I had to stop at every scene and carefully consider where to make cuts and where the shots should change. Balaji sir was very helpful in this process. He may initially have had some hesitation about bringing in a commercial editor, but I worked entirely with the aim of satisfying him. I believe he is satisfied with the work now.”
He also said this was his third film with Sai Abhyankkar and praised Atlee for having played an important role in his professional journey.
Cinematographer Selvakumar said:
“When Atlee sir told me about this film, I first called Balaji sir and told him how much I liked his films. We then met continuously for three days, after which I got the opportunity to work on this film. Thirteen years ago, I worked as an assistant cinematographer on Raja Rani. Atlee sir had saved my number from those days, so it was both surprising and happy for me when he called me for this film.
Balaji sir had told us beforehand that there would be many takes in this film. We worked accordingly. Every look test and the overall look and feel were discussed with Muthuraj sir and the rest of the team. We went to the floor only after completely creating the world of Pattha.
Even though there were many takes, there was a great energy throughout the process. Vijay Sethupathi sir is often described as an acting powerhouse. Even after more than 25 takes, he would maintain complete continuity from the first dialogue to the last, even when he was in a back shot. When I asked if he was tired, he would say, ‘No Selva, I’m fine. I’m enjoying it.’ That was a great surprise for me as this was my first time working with him.
Lijomol Jose has performed exceptionally well. You can see the acting in her eyes themselves. Sai has also performed very well. Muthuraj sir’s team worked extremely hard. The entire crew, including my assistant cinematographers, crane and lighting teams, worked very hard. The world of this film will be somewhat different. I don’t want to reveal anything about the story now, but I am confident that this will be a very good film.”
Producer Ajit Andhare said that despite having produced more than 100 films, he felt like a student while standing on the stage. He praised Tamil cinema and its creators and said that the collaboration with Atlee had been an important reason for their connection with Tamil cinema.
He also explained how the project began. After discussing the possibility of working with Atlee, they learned about a Tamil script. Since they did not know Tamil, Atlee asked them to listen only to Balaji’s narration. According to Ajit Andhare, the world of Pattha came alive for them through Balaji’s narration even before it was created on screen. He said the narration moved them deeply.
Producer Murad Khetani said:
“I am very happy and excited to be here at the audio launch of Pattha. This is a very special film for me. I have always been a huge fan of Tamil cinema. In that sense, this is a very important step for Cine1 Studios. I am extremely happy that Pattha is our company’s first Tamil film. My thanks to Atlee sir and Priya madam for making this possible.
This is my second collaboration with Atlee sir and Priya madam, as well as my second collaboration with Star Studios. I thank Balaji sir, Vijay Sethupathi sir, Sai Abhyankkar and all the heads of the various departments who worked with me on this film.”
Lyricist Vivek said that the event felt like a family gathering and recalled his long association with Atlee and Balaji Tharaneetharan. He also spoke about Vijay Sethupathi’s journey in Tamil cinema and expressed his hope that Pattha would become another significant addition to his filmography.
Director Pa. Ranjith Kannan said:
“Pattha is a film that is very close to my heart. I have admired Balaji Tharaneetharan Anna’s films from the beginning, especially Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom. This film, directed by him, has come out very well. Atlee sir is my guru, and I have tremendous respect and affection for him. I am proud of his journey and the place he has created in cinema. I am very happy that he is associated with this film. Vijay Sethupathi sir is also an actor I admire greatly. My heartfelt wishes to everyone involved in Pattha.”
Director Cibi Chakravarthi said that he had worked with Atlee on Theri and Mersal and had travelled with him for nearly four years. He thanked Atlee for continuously encouraging him and said that the film had been created on a scale that would make Indian cinema proud.
He further said that Atlee would take Indian cinema to a global level and recalled how Atlee encouraged him during a difficult phase in his career.
Cibi Chakravarthi also praised Balaji Tharaneetharan’s Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom, Vijay Sethupathi’s acting abilities, Sai Abhyankkar’s work and the efforts of the entire technical team. He requested audiences to watch Pattha in theatres with their families.
Actress Lijomol Jose said:
“Pattha is a very special film to me in many ways. First, it was a great pleasure to work with our wonderful director Balaji sir. Being able to act alongside one of India’s finest actors, Vijay Sethupathi sir, and share the screen with him was another great happiness. Working under Atlee sir’s production and with a talented composer like Sai Abhyankkar has been a special experience.
From the moment I received the call from Atlee sir’s production company for this film to standing on this stage today, everything feels like a dream. Working with Balaji sir was truly a wonderful experience. Vijay Sethupathi sir, I have already told you that you are one of my favourite actors. It was a great pleasure working with you. You were very kind and encouraging towards me. The appreciation you gave me for my performance felt like receiving a major award. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I thank my co-stars and the entire team of this film. I am extremely proud to be part of this beautiful world of Pattha. Being part of this film is one of the greatest joys I have experienced.”
Director Balaji Tharaneetharan said:
“I started writing the story of Pattha during the COVID lockdown. It took me a long time to complete the screenplay. Once I finished it, I first narrated it to Sethu. He took me to Atlee. After hearing the story, Atlee did not take much time to decide and immediately said that we should make the film. I then narrated it to producers Murad Khetani sir and Ajit Andhare sir, and they too immediately agreed to make it. So the journey of creating this film was very simple and happy for me.
On the shooting location, Sethu and I were very friendly with each other and created an atmosphere where everyone could enjoy working. My thanks to cinematographer Selvakumar for bringing the look and the world I imagined for the story to the screen exactly as I envisioned it.
Art plays a very important role in this film. I imagined a story, but after completing the film, even I felt that the story had become such a huge world. Art director Muthuraj and his team played an important role in bringing that world to the screen on the right scale without losing its entertainment value.
Sai Abhyankkar has surprised me greatly. Our musical journey has been different. I thank Sai and Atlee for pushing me beyond the boundaries I had imagined and encouraging me to explore new things. Sai has done an excellent job not only with the songs but also with the background score. I sincerely wish him greater heights through this film.
Lijomol, Harikrishnan, Shanthi Balachandran, Sahasra, Sai Prithvi, Vijay Govind, Arjun Sharma and everyone who acted in this film worked with great affection and dedication on the sets. Their sincere efforts made me feel even more responsible to work better. I hope Pattha lives up to the expectations of everyone who has placed their trust in it. My heartfelt thanks to everyone.”
Composer Sai Abhyankkar said:
“It has been a long time since I met everyone. After Karuppu and songs such as Rathima, meeting you all again through Pattha is a huge opportunity for me, and I feel extremely grateful for it.
Atlee Anna was the starting point for Pattha. I have been travelling with him for nearly two and a half years. My mentors Santhosh Anna and Mahesh Anna first introduced me to him for this film. When he asked whether I could work on a film directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan, I was immediately excited because I am a huge fan of Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom and especially Seethakaathi. I felt that I could make the story even more special through music. I will always be grateful to Atlee Anna for giving me this opportunity.
Balaji sir is a very straightforward person. He tells you directly what he likes and what he doesn’t like, which made it very easy to work with him. He was also very clear about what he expected from me. The music sessions for this film were a wonderful experience. If he liked something, he would appreciate it immediately; if he didn’t, he would ask me to try something different. That honest approach pushed me to work even better. I thank Balaji sir for this opportunity.”
