With all hurdles cleared, Karthi – Nalan Kumarasamy’s Vaa Vaathiyaar is set to hit theatres tomorrow, Jan 14th. Ahead of its release, the team came together for a pre-release press meet in Chennai, where the cast and crew spoke candidly about the film, its journey, and their expectations.
Actress Shilpa Manjunath expressed gratitude to director Nalan Kumarasamy for casting her as Malini, a role she described as having a strong emotional arc. She said she enjoys taking risks as an actor and felt Malini offered that opportunity. She also credited producer Gnanavel Raja for steering the project through challenges and noted that a Pongal release felt destined, given the festival’s significance.
Veteran actor Anandraj called Vaa Vaathiyaar a film that audiences would truly understand once they watched it. Drawing a parallel with Bhogi, he said the release symbolised letting go of the old and welcoming the new. He also shared a personal anecdote about paying homage to MGR earlier that day, calling it a meaningful moment.
Sathyaraj, who plays a villain in the film, praised Nalan’s contemporary storytelling, saying it would appeal strongly to Gen Z audiences. In a light-hearted moment, he recalled how Sivakumar once helped him reduce his protruding teeth early in his career, only for Karthi to ask him to sport the same look for this role. He expressed confidence that the film would emerge successful.
Producer Gnanavel Raja addressed rumors about financial troubles, firmly stating he carries no debt. He thanked Suriya for standing by him silently during difficult times and explained why the film couldn’t release earlier. Calling Vaa Vaathiyaar a joyful, family friendly film with a runtime of two hours and nine minutes, he said the Pongal date was the best possible choice.
Actress Krithi Shetty described the project as a dream, praising Nalan’s dedication and Karthi’s off-screen warmth, while Karthi himself spoke about faith, teamwork, and working with sincerity. He also wished success to all Pongal releases, expressing hope that delayed films would find the right time to reach audiences.
Actor Karthi, speaking at length, urged producer Gnanavel Raja to stay stress-free and prioritise his health, noting that many things in life are predestined and believing in that brings reassurance. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to Suriya, crediting him for standing by the team during difficult phases. Karthi also acknowledged the technicians who worked relentlessly, with some putting in close to 48 hours without sleep, to ensure the film reached theatres on time.
Explaining director Nalan Kumarasamy’s absence, Karthi said the filmmaker was in Tiruvannamalai offering prayers for the film’s smooth and obstacle free release. He also spoke about paying homage to MGR earlier that morning, describing the experience as deeply moving and saying that the legendary leader’s blessings played a key role in many aspects falling into place. Karthi added that he approached Vaa Vaathiyaar with reverence and utmost sincerity.
Importantly, Karthi also referred to the delay of Vijay’s Jana Nayagan, stating that while the film could not release this Pongal, he firmly believes time will bring it to theatres at the most appropriate moment. He extended his best wishes to all films releasing during the festival season, expressing hope that every Pongal release would find success.