*"Adhik's real film journey starts from Sep-15", says Vishal.*
‘Mark Antony’ produced by S. Vinod Kumar under Mini Studios and directed by Adhik Ravichandran, stars Vishal and SJ Suryah in lead roles. Ritu Varma, Sunil, Selvaraghavan, Redin Kingsley play pivotal roles and the film’s music is composed by GV Prakash Kumar.
Speaking at a press interaction, Actor Vishal said, “This film will be released in South Indian languages including Tamil on September 15 and in Hindi on September 22 to celebrate Vinayaka Chaturthi. I have played two characters namely Mark and Antony in this film. For the first time I have played dual roles. I have played the role of father who is a gangster and Ritu Varma is paired opposite Mark and Abhinaya opposite Antony. It has been developed as a science fiction time travel film. The film alternates between the 1970s and 1990s. But unlike a flashback, the year 1975 in one scene and 1995 in another will keep changing. It has been made in a way that is clearly understandable not only to the city crowd, but also to the fans in the village of Kadakodi”.
“For the portion of the story set in the seventies, we’ve shown old Madras like the old LIC building, double decker bus, etc. For this we paid more attention to the set and graphics work. Almost 3000 graphics are included in it. Similarly, 99 percent of the scenes are shot on the sets”.
GV Prakash has composed the music for me after eight years and has given the required strength to the film with his music even before the release. Also, I get an experience with every film. But after 20 years, an event that surprised me happened in this film. In a scene where actor Sunil and I were acting, I only have one word to deliver. But he has four pages of lines. Whilst he was acting with different facial expressions like anger, pleading, sad and aggression, I was amazed without realizing it. When the scene was over, I hugged him and congratulated him. His performance in this film will surely teach a lot to the actors who will come after him. I am saying it as an actor who came through the ‘koothupattarai’. Apart from that, SJ Suryah also sets a good tempo in every scene. I learned a lot of lessons from SJ Suryah for free when I was acting with him. I met SJ Surya for the first time as my college senior during the hostel selection. No matter how many problems he has faced over the years, he hasn’t changed till date”.
“We decided the release date of the film a month and a half before. If it is a sports competition, it is interesting only if there are many players. Whatever film enters the field, it has to face the competition. ‘Jawan’ is releasing only in Hindi, so we are releasing it in Hindi on September 22 after a week”.
“I had an opportunity to act with Vijay in ‘Leo’. But as I am acting only in one film at a time, I couldn't grab the opportunity for ‘Leo’. Then I told Lokesh, “You are lucky… you have got a good opportunity again use it”. I am also preparing to direct a film with Vijay next”.
Actor SJ Suryah said, “The best part is, we shot a family film together as bachelors. Then, we were shooting a fight sequence for the climax scene. The lorry driver who was speeding towards us stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake. I noticed that. Vishal didn't notice it. But as the crew screamed in shock after seeing this, he turned the vehicle towards the director's seat. Fortunately, everyone escaped by jumping to the other side. Also, everyone wants to act, but Vishal wants to leave acting and go for direction”.
"I am not the old Adhik Ravichandran”, began Director Adhik Ravichandran. “SJ Suryah has this line in this film… "I have forgotten everything and changed my mind"; it applies to me. The story is about the hustle and bustle while running to achieve it, at its centre is a telephone”.
“When Vishal got down from his caravan with make-up for his character, almost 500 people gathered and applauded and after this we were partially satisfied that the film was going to be a success”.
“Vishal would often forget he was in character and would clap in most of the scenes of SJ Suryah. If asked why he did that, he would say, “It was great, take another take”, said Adhik Ravichandran.
