Anbe Diana team opens up about Perambur, performances and the film’s message

The trailer of Anbe Diana was today evening, and the cast and crew gathered at the film’s trailer launch event to share their experiences working on the upcoming entertainer. The event reflected the team’s confidence in the film, with several members praising director Pari Elavazhagan’s vision, storytelling and portrayal of Perambur.

Actor Parithabangal Gopi revealed that he immediately agreed to be part of the film after listening to the script. He praised Pari Elavazhagan’s understanding of Perambur and the extensive research that went into the project. He also expressed confidence in the performances of the entire cast and urged audiences to watch the film in theatres.

Veteran actress Roja Selvamani, who returns to Tamil cinema after a 12-year gap, thanked the director for offering her a meaningful role. She plays the hero’s mother, a Telugu woman settled in Tamil Nadu, and said the character closely resonated with her own background. Roja also lauded Ramya Ranganathan, calling her the perfect choice to portray an Anglo-Indian girl, while highlighting their enjoyable on-screen chemistry.

Cinematographer Shelley Calist admitted that he initially expected another intense drama from the director of Jama, but was pleasantly surprised by the film’s light-hearted and entertaining nature. He also praised producer Yuvraj Ganesan for his sincerity and dedication to the project.

Music composer Bharath Shankar described Anbe Diana as a wholesome experience. Although he is familiar with Chennai, he said the director’s narration introduced him to a completely new side of Perambur, inspiring him to revisit the locality and understand its culture better.

Actor Chetan shared that he was initially hesitant about playing another father role. However, after hearing the complete script, he became so impressed that he joked he would have even accepted the role of the hero’s grandfather. According to him, every character in the film has been written with importance and purpose.

Actor Samuthirakani praised Pari Elavazhagan’s courage and filmmaking approach. Drawing a comparison to how Aadukalam brought attention to Madurai, he said Anbe Diana could similarly make audiences appreciate Perambur and its unique identity.

Producer Era Saravanan spoke about how deeply he was impressed by the script narration and praised the efforts of producer Yuvraj Ganesan, who remained actively involved in promoting the film. He also singled out Ramya Ranganathan’s performance, stating that she exceeded all expectations and delivered standout moments in the film.

Producer Yuvraj Ganesan emphasized that Anbe Diana is much more than a comedy entertainer. According to him, the film conveys thoughtful ideas in an entertaining manner while remaining accessible to audiences. He also credited Bharath Shankar, Shelley Calist and the supporting cast for helping shape the film’s identity.

Lead actress Ramya Ranganathan expressed gratitude for the innovative promotional campaign surrounding the film. She revealed that portraying an Anglo-Indian character required her to master a distinct slang and a wide range of expressions. Despite being born and raised in Chennai, she said Perambur felt like an entirely new world to her.

Director and actor Pari Elavazhagan concluded the event by thanking audiences for embracing Jama on OTT. He noted that many viewers had expressed regret over missing the film in theatres and were now eager to watch Anbe Diana on the big screen. The filmmaker added that, much like Jama, the new film draws inspiration from real people and everyday life. He also praised composer Bharath Shankar for creating a fresh musical landscape and thanked the producers for supporting the project from start to finish.

Sasikumar, who came as chief guest for the event said: The trailer looks extremely colourful and vibrant. I watched Jama and was stunned by Pari Elavazhagan’s performance. Had that film become a bigger success, he might have continued making more films in a similar space. In a way, the audience has influenced his journey and led him towards creating this commercial entertainer, Anbe Diana.

Backed by Million Dollar Studios in association with Neo Castle Creations, Anbe Diana is set to hit theatres on July 17, carrying strong expectations as a wholesome entertainer.