Following Iravukku Aayiram Kangal, Kannai Nambathey and Blackmail, director Mu. Maran has completed his fourth directorial venture, Appa Kutti. Vijay Antony plays the lead role and has also produced the film under his Vijay Antony Corporation banner. Preethi Asrani plays the female lead.
The film also features Baby Lithanya, Bhagavathi Perumal (Bucks), Haripriya Isai, Aruvi Madan, Chitra Lakshmanan, Sreeja Ravi and several others in important roles.
Vijay Antony has composed the music and handled the editing, while Rajeev Rajendran has taken care of cinematography. Five Star Senthil has acquired the film’s theatrical distribution rights.
The trailer launch event of Appa Kutti, scheduled to hit theatres on November 20, was held yesterday evening at Prasad Lab, Chennai. Directors Sasi and Manthira Moorthy attended the event as special guests, along with several members of the film fraternity.
### Art Director Raja
Art director Raja said that director Mu. Maran had planned several interesting visual elements right from the beginning. Accordingly, the team experimented with different approaches, including changes in his own department.
He particularly mentioned the visual treatment, colour schemes and other creative elements used to distinguish the film’s two different timelines. He thanked the director and the entire team for the opportunity.
### Cinematographer Rajeev Rajendran
Rajeev Rajendran thanked the team for giving him the opportunity to handle the film’s visual department.
He said working with the editor, music director and other technicians had been a wonderful experience. He described director Mu. Maran as a pleasant person who had created a beautiful and emotionally engaging story.
He also highlighted the importance of Ooty in the film’s storyline, explaining that the location offered numerous visual possibilities. He expressed confidence that audiences would enjoy the visuals created against the scenic backdrop of Ooty.
### Lyricist Ekadasi
Lyricist Ekadasi recalled his earlier association with the director and Vijay Antony, explaining how he got the opportunity to write songs for the film.
He said that he had written two emotional songs centred on the relationship between a father and daughter.
One particular line, which describes a father sleeping on the temple festival chariot platform and unknowingly murmuring his daughter’s name even in his sleep, has deeply moved listeners.
He revealed that several people had contacted him through phone calls and messages to appreciate the songs.
Sharing a personal experience, Ekadasi said that he had not experienced a father’s affection because his father remarried when he was very young. Although he did not know what it felt like to receive a father’s love and care, he was able to understand and express the emotional pain of the father character through his writing.
He thanked Vijay Antony and director Mu. Maran for giving him the opportunity to express those emotions through lyrics.
### Lyricist Arun Bharathi
Arun Bharathi said Vijay Antony was the person who introduced him and had continued to give him opportunities.
He expressed happiness about writing a beautiful song for Appa Kutti, particularly appreciating its emotional depth.
He compared the father-daughter relationship explored in this film to the emotional impact of the song ‘Nooru Saamigal Paarthu’ from Pichaikkaran.
Sharing an emotional personal memory, Arun Bharathi revealed that his father passed away in a landslide accident when he was studying in Class 12. He had written a poem about his father at that time, and those memories continue to remain close to his heart.
He said the trailer itself beautifully conveys the depth of the father-daughter relationship. He also appreciated the film’s central thought that love and relationships can be felt even without seeing them.
### Actress Haripriya
Haripriya said Appa Kutti was her debut film. She thanked Vijay Antony for trusting her with the opportunity and director Mu. Maran for giving her a beautiful character.
She expressed happiness about working with experienced artists and thanked the entire technical team.
She requested audiences to watch and support the film in theatres on November 20.
### Actress Haritha
Haritha expressed happiness about being part of the film and described Vijay Antony as a kind-hearted person who treats everyone with affection and respect despite handling multiple responsibilities as a producer, music composer and editor.
She said the film beautifully explores a father’s love, childhood emotions and the depth of family relationships.
She requested audiences to support the film in theatres.
Actor Munnar Ramesh
Munnar Ramesh praised director Mu. Maran for creating an emotionally powerful story capable of touching everyone’s hearts.
He appreciated Vijay Antony’s distinctive approach to selecting stories and experiments, adding that his creative vision was evident in everything from the film’s title to the press meet arrangements.
He also praised the film’s two songs and expressed confidence that Appa Kutti would connect with audiences across all sections.
Actress Lizzie Antony
Lizzie Antony said she was a huge admirer of Vijay Antony’s music and his choice of stories.
She expressed gratitude to director Mu. Maran for giving her an opportunity to be part of such a meaningful project.
She also appreciated the emotional song about a father, pointing out that while many songs celebrate mothers, a song dedicated to fathers is equally important.
Actress Haripriya Viswanathan
Haripriya Viswanathan said this was her second film with director Mu. Maran and thanked him for offering her different and challenging characters.
She revealed that she was immediately impressed by the complete storyline and particularly interested in the different dimensions of her character.
She described Vijay Antony as a simple person and appreciated Preethi Asrani’s ability to speak Tamil fluently.
She thanked the entire team and said she was eagerly waiting for the film’s release.
Distributor Five Star Senthil
Five Star Senthil said director Mu. Maran had beautifully captured the emotional bond between a father and daughter.
He praised Vijay Antony’s performance and appreciated the little girl who plays Appa Kutti for her wonderful acting.
Revealing that he had already watched the film, he said it had turned out extremely well and requested audiences to watch it with their families.
Director Mu. Maran
Director Mu. Maran said Appa Kutti was his fourth film. His previous three films belonged to the crime-thriller genre, and he decided to explore a completely different storyline after repeatedly being asked why he continued making films in the same genre.
He revealed that several producers had appreciated the story, but the project could not take off immediately due to various reasons.
Later, when he narrated the story to Vijay Antony, the actor agreed to be part of the film after hearing just the first half. After listening to the second half, Vijay Antony suggested that they begin the project immediately.
Maran said this film was an example of how good content would always find recognition. He thanked the entire cast, crew, producers and distributors for their support and requested audiences to encourage the film.
Director Manthira Moorthy
Manthira Moorthy spoke highly of Vijay Antony, saying that he had known him for nearly 15 years.
He described Vijay Antony as a hardworking individual who always keeps his promises and fulfils every responsibility he accepts.
He also praised Preethi Asrani, describing her as a talented performer capable of exceeding expectations in any role.
He expressed his wish to see her reach greater heights in Tamil cinema and congratulated the entire technical team.
Actor Jensen Dhivakar
Jensen Dhivakar said Appa Kutti was a very special film for him.
He revealed that the screenplay attracted him within the first 15 pages. Although the story begins like a crime thriller, it gradually transforms into an emotional experience without losing its engaging narrative.
He credited the film’s casting for successfully bringing the screenplay’s emotions to the screen.
He also praised Vijay Antony’s involvement as a producer, music composer and editor, and appreciated Preethi Asrani for learning Tamil through YouTube and delivering her dialogues beautifully.
Producer Dhananjayan
Producer Dhananjayan revealed that he had watched Appa Kutti approximately four months earlier along with his wife, after Vijay Antony personally invited him to watch the completed film and share his opinion.
He said both he and his wife were deeply moved by the film and became emotional by the time it ended.
Comparing the emotional impact to Deiva Thirumagal, he said Vijay Antony had beautifully portrayed how far a father could go for his daughter.
He expressed confidence that audiences would celebrate Vijay Antony’s performance after the film’s release.
Dhananjayan also revealed that director Mu. Maran completed the entire film in approximately 60 days in a single shooting schedule.
He praised Preethi Asrani for accepting a challenging role as a mother and appreciated Baby Lithanya’s acting and dialogue delivery.
Sharing an interesting development, he revealed that the film was screened for representatives of an international OTT platform who did not understand Tamil. Despite the language barrier, they became emotionally connected to the story and even requested that the screening should not be stopped during the interval.
After watching the film, they appreciated it and immediately initiated acquisition discussions
He further revealed that Zee had acquired the satellite rights, while distributor Five Star Senthil watched the film with his family and immediately expressed his interest in acquiring its theatrical distribution rights.
Dhananjayan said these achievements before the theatrical release reflected the strength of the film’s content.
He concluded by expressing confidence that the performances of Vijay Antony, Preethi Asrani and Baby Lithanya, along with Mu. Maran’s direction, would receive appreciation.
Actor Muruganandham
Muruganandham said Appa Kutti was completely different from director Mu. Maran’s previous films.
He compared Maran’s ability to explore different genres to that of director Mani Ratnam.
He also praised Maran’s patience and considerate attitude towards fellow artists.
Describing Vijay Antony as a river that continues flowing despite obstacles, he appreciated his determination and ability to establish himself across multiple fields.
He further praised the little girl in the film, Preethi Asrani and the emotional songs, particularly the father-themed song, which he believes will bring tears to audiences.
Distributor Praveen Lalwani
Praveen Lalwani said the pain of living without a father and the value of a father’s affection can truly be understood by those who have experienced it.
He described Vijay Antony as a suitable choice for the lead role, highlighting his journey from advertising music to becoming a successful music composer and actor despite losing his father at a young age.
He expressed confidence that the film would deeply affect audiences emotionally and wished the entire team great success.
Actress Preethi Asrani
Preethi Asrani described Appa Kutti as a film that was personally very close to her heart.
She appreciated director Mu. Maran’s clear vision in crafting every scene and said she immediately connected with the story when she first heard it.
She highlighted the emotional moments in which a daughter understands her father’s love and sacrifices.
She pointed out that while society frequently discusses a mother’s affection, fathers often do not openly express their emotions. Their sacrifices and efforts for their children frequently go unnoticed.
She expressed hope that after watching the
film, many people would pick up their phones and call their fathers.
Note: The supplied article ends midway through Preethi Asrani’s speech, so the remaining portion is not included.
Speaking at the event, actor Vijay Antony said:
“Working on Appa Kutti was a very happy experience for me. When I first heard the story, I really liked the first half. After hearing the second half, I immediately agreed to be part of the film. In particular, the climax has been beautifully crafted. The songs in the film are also deeply emotional.
When several companies declined to acquire the audio rights for Pichaikkaran, I decided to retain the album myself. Similarly, when I heard the ‘Appa’ song from Appa Kutti, I became confident that the film’s songs would also receive a good response from audiences.
Director M. Maran is highly talented. He planned everything within a short period and completed the film quickly and efficiently. I wish him continued success in his upcoming projects.
Preethi Asrani is an actress who performs exceptionally well from every camera angle. Although Tamil is not her mother tongue, the way she delivered her dialogues and performed deserves appreciation. Baby Lithanya’s performance is equally impressive. At such a young age, she has acted with the professionalism of an experienced actress. The song sung by Haripriya was also deeply moving.
My thanks to all the actors, technicians, distributor Senthil, Dhananjayan and everyone who worked on this film. I also thank the fans who have continued to shower me with love and support since Pichaikkaran. I am happy that the announcement of Pichaikkaran 3 was made at this event. I hope that film will also release soon. I request everyone to watch Appa Kutti in theatres and extend their support.
Appa Kutti has been created as an action-packed family entertainer centred on the love, affection and emotional bond between a father and his daughter. Blending heartfelt family emotions with engaging action sequences, the film is designed to appeal to audiences across all section
s,” he said.
