Idhayam Murali: A Heartfelt Tale of Love and Friendship
Directed by Aakash Baskaran, the upcoming Tamil film Idhayam Murali is described as a cinematic experience where love serves as its pulse and friendship forms its backbone. Featuring an ensemble cast led by Atharvaa, Kayadu Lohar, and Preity Mukhundhan, the film's team emphasizes that the joyful atmosphere on set perfectly mirrors the spirit of the movie.
Atharvaa on the Film's Special Significance
Atharvaa, who plays the lead role, expresses deep personal connection to the project. "Idhayam Murali is one of my favourite titles and is very special to me," he says. "It's a very fun-loving and light-hearted film." He draws a parallel to the 1991 film Idhayam, which starred his father Murali, noting it as an iconic, hard-hitting love story. While acknowledging that definitions of love may have evolved over time, Atharvaa believes the core emotion remains unchanged. "The film is about the love story of an old soul," he adds, praising the collaborative environment. "It's been fun working with every single person from this team."
Kayadu Lohar's Debut and Character Journey
For actress Kayadu Lohar, Idhayam Murali holds particular importance as her first signed Tamil film. "It's close to my heart," she shares. The film explores the different phases of love a person experiences. Lohar portrays Amudha, an innocent and introverted character who demonstrates loyalty to her friends when needed. Initially, she admits to resisting the role. "I kept fighting with Aakash, asking that I be given the other female character and not Amudha," she recalls. However, she later realized it was the perfect fit. "I enjoyed playing Amudha, and I'd love to have a friend like her in my life." She also highlights the enjoyable dynamic with co-star Atharvaa, expressing hope for future collaborations.
Director Aakash Baskaran on Fahadh Faasil's Role
Director Aakash Baskaran provides insights into the inclusion of actor Fahadh Faasil, affectionately known as FaFa, in the film. Baskaran emphasizes his philosophy against gratuitous cameos. "I don't believe in having a cameo or special appeal just for the sake of it," he states. "Characters should feel naturally integrated into the world of the film." He notes that FaFa is selective about roles and only agreed after thorough discussions and conviction in the script. "His role, a jolly character, will appear throughout the film; it's a special one, something that he hasn't attempted before," Baskaran reveals. The character shares screen space with the principal cast, with filming currently underway in Chennai and scheduled to continue in Hyderabad.
Thaman S on Returning to Acting
Composer and actor Thaman S discusses his decision to return to acting after focusing primarily on music. "I thought I'd ended my acting journey with Boys," he admits. "So, to take the decision to act again was tough." However, Baskaran's friendship and compelling script won him over. "When Aakash, who's a great friend, showed me the script, I fell for it," he says. Thaman S is not only acting in the film but also scoring its music. He praises the camaraderie on set, particularly with Atharvaa, Dravid, and Rakshan, describing the shoot as relaxing. "Shooting for the film was like being on a holiday. There wasn't any tension," he adds, commending the strong technical crew.
Cast Members Reflect on On-Set Camaraderie
Other cast members echo the theme of friendship both on and off screen. VJ Angelin, who plays Priya, notes how the film's plot about five friends translated into real-life bonds. "Since the film is about five friends and their journey, over the course of the shoot, we've all become a gang," she shares. "The set atmosphere is light-hearted, and both on and offscreen, we are having a lot of fun."
Dravid Selvam highlights the personal significance of the project, as it marked his early career steps before his role in Dude. "Idhayam Murali is where it all started for me," he reflects. "It's a journey I can't ever forget in my life." Over a year and a half of filming, the cast celebrated birthdays and important events together, fostering a close-knit environment. "We're going to miss this set once the shoot is done," he says, noting increased bonding during the New York schedule. Selvam also appreciates the creative freedom afforded during production.
Rakshan, who portrays Prabhu, describes his character as fun and emphasizes the film's dual focus on love and friendship. "The film out-and-out revolves around love but also explores friendship," he explains. Shooting in exotic locations like New York's Times Square added to the experience. He quickly developed a rapport with Atharvaa. "Atharvaa and I gelled very well within a few days of the shoot," Rakshan notes, predicting Atharvaa will be "extremely charming" in the film.
Overall, Idhayam Murali promises to be a heartfelt cinematic offering, blending timeless emotions with contemporary storytelling, all nurtured by a genuinely joyful and collaborative production environment.
