Music composer Santhosh Narayanan is on board for director Subramaniam Shiva’s Vella Yaanai starring Samuthirakani and Athmiya Rajan.
The composer tweeted that he was very happy to be part of the film, and that it was the most important documentation of the lives of farmers. A statement from the director said that the story was the reason he agreed to be on board.
Very happy to be part of #Vellaiyaanai . இன்றைய விவசாயியின் வாழ்க்கையின் மிக முக்கியமான வரலாற்றுப்பதிவு, நம் தாய் மண்ணின் இசையோடு. @DirectorS_Shiva @WhiteLambTalkie @MiniStudio_@thondankani @vinod_offl#Aathmiya @yogibabu_offl @RIAZtheboss @B_RAJA_ pic.twitter.com/gnPQS1qIMQ
— Santhosh Narayanan (@Music_Santhosh) July 19, 2019
The spokesperson for the film told Silverscreen that the shooting took place in and around Chennai and is complete. “Work on the background score has started. Release announcements will be made after the film is complete,” he said.
The film stars Samuthirakani as a farmer, and Malayalam actress Athmiya Rajan, who starred with Sivakarthikeyan in Manamkothi Paravai, as the female lead.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, director Shiva said, “It is an agriculture-based film and talks about the issues faced by farmers. I needed someone like Samuthirakani to portray a farmer to be convincing of the issue discussed. However, the film does not preach anything, it is narrated in a satirical way.”
Yogi Babu has an important role in the film, and others in the cast include SS Stanley, Ramadoss, Bava Chellathurai and Saranya Ravichandran. Production is by S Vinoth Kumar of the Mini Studios banner, cinematography is by R Jagadeesan.
Director Shiva announced the update on twitter recently:
மிக விரைவில்… ???
வெள்ளையானை..
இறுதிக்கட்ட பணிகளில்…#VELLAIYAANAI @thondankani #Aathmiya @iYogiBabu @vinod_offl @RIAZtheboss pic.twitter.com/CLAlUtT7I4— Subramaniam Shiva (@DirectorS_Shiva) June 8, 2019
The film marks Subramania Shiva’s return to direction eight years after Seedan (2011), the Tamil remake of the Malayalam film Nandanam. He made his debut with Thiruda Thirudi in 2003, and directed Donga Dogadi, Pori and Yogi, and reportedly helped with production of Vellai Illa Pattadhari, and wrote the dialogues for Amma Kannaku. He is also the president of All India Dhanush Fan Club.
Actor Samuthirakani is currently busy with Halitha Shameem’s Sillu Karupetti, SS Rajamouli’s multi-lingual RRR, and Adutha Sattai, the sequel to his 2012 film Sattai. As a director, he is awaiting the release of Nadodigal 2.
