Acclaimed filmmaker Mysskin is returning to direction with Train, starring Vijay Sethupathi in the lead, marking their first collaboration. Known for his dark, intense storytelling, Mysskin revealed in a recent interview that he made significant compromises on his original vision for the project.
Initially conceived as a gripping, real-time thriller set entirely on a moving train over a two-and-a-half-hour runtime, Mysskin admitted the idea proved too ambitious. He eventually rewrote the story to span a five-hour journey, allowing more flexibility in narrative pacing.
Mysskin also shed light on how producer Kalaipuli S Thanu came on board. “Thanu sir sees cinema not just as art but as business,” he noted, acknowledging the importance of commercial viability. This pragmatic approach, along with Vijay Sethupathi’s request for a lighter tone, influenced the filmmaker to tone down his typically intense style.
“For the first time, I allowed other perspectives to shape my direction,” Mysskin said, reflecting on what he calls a crucial learning experience. “When a producer invests 30-40 crore, it’s unfair to think only about artistic vision.”
Featuring a stellar ensemble cast and music composed by Mysskin himself, Train is currently in production with its release date yet to be announced.