Maari 2 starring Dhanush and Sai Pallavi, directed by Balaji Mohan, is a sequel to the 2015 film Maari. Ahead of its release on December 21, the film’s team had a press meet today. “Maari 2 will be a fully mass, masala, commercial, romantic, friendship and revenge film,” said Dhanush, who has also produced the film.
He said, “This does not come under world cinema. People can come with their family and go back home after some fun.”
About Maari’s character and the challenges in playing his role, he said, “The checkmate was that Maari could not even cry while expressing emotions. I had to try very hard not to cry, while Sai Pallavi was happily crying without any hesitation.”
“I really like Maari’s character – he can do anything, pull up and beat any one, talk whatever he wished. There is no hesitation because Maari does not like anyone and no one likes Maari either,” he said.
Dhanush spoke about working with Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, who plays a government official in the film. He said, “It was very tough to act with Varalaxmi. She would say her dialogues in 12 frames per second speed, and I would be wondering whether she spoke or not. Somehow I managed to catch up with her.”
Popular television stand up comedian Aranthangi Nisha will be seen playing Sai Pallavi’s friend in the film. On working with her, Dhanush said, “We have to agree that we could not do justice to her talent in the film. Balaji Mohan got her to sign up because I forced him saying I wanted to act with her.”
Sai Pallavi plays the female lead as an auto driver living in Maari’s area. Dhanush spoke about working with her, and said she was a method actor who would drown in her character.
“She would really cry during emotional scenes. In one scene, a wide shot, we told her not to cry because details would not be seen otherwise, but after the shoot we saw her crying. She said she couldn’t control it,” he said.
The director of the film, Balaji Mohan said, “Maari is neither good nor bad. The core of the film is about what happens when too much hatred and love is given to the same person, and how it reflects back. There is a pleasant surprise post interval.”
Based on the response they get for Maari 2, decisions about Maari 3 will be made.
Aranthangi Nisha said about her character’s friendship with Arathu Anandi, “It felt like amavasai and powrnami were near each other. I would search for the touch up boy, while Pallavi would walk around casually. She cannot be seen with make up and I have not acted without make up.”
“And though I’m the second heroine in the film, I did not have any song, and did not get a chance have a romance with Dhanush,” she added.
Others from the cast too spoke. Actor Tovino Thomas, who plays the villain Beeja in the film said, “I’ve not been given such an exciting villain role even in Kerala. I was initially hesitant to accept the film because I had committed to many films. But after reading the script, I immediately said I was doing it.”
Sanikelamai, Maari’s friend is played by Robo Shankar in the film. He said Sai Pallavi’s role as Arathu Anandhi is something to look forward to. “If there is a female ‘thala’ in Tamil cinema industry, then it is Anandhi. We will see a different version of her in the film.”
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Actor Varaxmi Sarathkumar who has starred in Sarkar and Sandakozhi 2 in similar roles, said here too she didn’t get to work with the heroine. “It’s a fun film. And as usual I did not have chance to share screen space with the lead actress, but I had a great time with Dhanush,” she said.
Music composer for the film is Yuvan Shankar Raja. He is working with Dhanush for the third time in Maari 2 after Thulluvadho Ilamai and Yaaradi Nee Mohini.
“I needed a push in my career, and Dhanush has given that with this film,” he said. The film also has a melody track called ‘Maari’s Aanandhi’ sung by Ilaiyaraaja.
Produced by Wunderbar Films, Maari 2 stars Dhanush and Sai Pallavi in the lead. Tovino Thomas plays the villain. The film has Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Robo Shankar, Kalloori Vinoth, Aranthangi Nisha, Kaali Venkat, Krishna and others in important roles.