“I am seriously relieved”: Gautham Menon

Vaaranam Aayiram took an amazing opening especially at the multiplexes. Director Gautham Vasudev Menon is a relieved man but is not exactly happy about the mixed reactions from critics and media. In this quick chat to Sify.com, he clarifies everything about the film and more.

The film has been trimmed by 12 minutes after two days of release?
Yes… I was forced by my distributors to do so and I have trimmed a few scenes which you will not even notice if you had seen the original on the release day. The scene soon after Divya comes to meet Surya in Dehradun, a small portion of the scene after Surya joins the army and a part of the last episode of the rescue operation. Reports stating that the Delhi episode and an entire song being taken away is rubbish and baseless. I have sent my assistants including editor Antony to all the theatres playing the film to check the prints.

But critics say that the second half is slow and it looks like a documentary?
I am a person who is open to fair criticism. Audience support is what I wanted and the film after taking a fabulous opening is running to full houses and is being appreciated by lady and family audiences. It is not the usual kind of action film that one associates with a Surya or Gautham Menon. If you come without any expectations, you will like the film.

Why was your next film with Sivaji productions dropped?
I am seriously relieved about it. I was busy with the release of Vararnam Aayiram and everyone new about my involvement with the film. Sivaji productions were not willing to wait and they wanted to start the project immediately. My script is my investment and I cannot be pushed on that. All I can say is that, it’s their loss.

So what next?
I have been working round the clock for the last few years. I have three sons and let me spend some time with them. I will be finishing Chennayil Oru Mazhaikalam and then I will be directing Mahesh Babu in Telugu. Both these films have music by A.R Rahman.

Thanks Sify.com