The Iraivi team, which has been busy touring FM channels to promote the film, arrived almost two hours late for the press meet. Almost every technician was called on stage. So much so that the stage couldn’t fit any more chairs in, and someone on stage nearly fell off. Fortunately, a lucky save caught him in time.
The songs, by Santhosh Narayanan, had already been released. We caught the video of “Kadhal Kappal”. It’s a flashy song-and-dance routine featuring SJ Suryah, Kamalinee Mukherjee, and Bobby Simha. Completely unlike Karthik Subbaraj’s style. Now, it might sound odd to brand a director who is only two films old, but such has been this talented director’s impact.
Expectations about the story had been piqued by a trailer which gave absolutely nothing away. We were left with a sense of wonder, as the team talked about the film’s subject. It seemed to have no connection to the trailer footage.
Vijay Sethupathi was the first to speak. “Iraivi is a story about the women around us, and their feelings and needs, which we men fail to see. At many places in the journey of this film, I could relate to it, and felt it applied to the important women in my life,” he said. Even though he has known Karthik Subbaraj for years, he said he was taken aback by the story Subbaraj had come up with.
Actor Karunakaran said he had no idea that words like Iraivi (goddess) and Manidhi (a word coined by lyricist Vivek, meaning female) existed. “I have always thought the word Manaivi (wife) comprised both these words,” he said, making everyone laugh.
Bobby Simhaa, who is getting married in a few days, was teased by almost everyone as the ‘maaplai’ (groom). Vijay Sethupathi said he was glad Simhaa was getting married after working on Iraivi, because the experience would have taught him a lot about women.
Actress Pooja Devariya, who is also a popular theatre personality, is making her debut with Iraivi. Expressing her happiness on being a part of the film, she said, “Though I kept trying for 6 years, I could not get a proper break in the industry. I had given up, but then Iraivi happened.”
An interesting addition to the cast was Cheenu Mohan, another theatre personality. He is well-known for his collaboration with Crazy Mohan. Despite being in theatre for decades, he has never acted in films. Quite by chance, he ran into Karthik Subbaraj at a tea shop, just after Karthik’s debut film Pizza had released. He asked Karthik to consider him for future projects. When Iraivi came around, Karthik felt that Cheenu Mohan would be perfect for one of the pivotal roles. Karthik Subbaraj added that it was great fun to work with him, because he was always making funny quips.
Anjali, who appears in a deglamorized role, said that after Angadi Theru and Engeyum Eppodhum (arguably her best performances), she was most satisfied with Iraivi, which has a great understanding of society, and doesn’t sound preachy.
Vivek, the lyricist who stood out for his work in Irudhi Suttru, 36 Vayadhinile, and Jil Jung Juk, spoke about the meaning behind the lyrics of songs like “Manidhi”. Sung by Meenakshi and Dhee, the lyrics talk about crimes against women. The song also features Santhosh’s voice. When asked why, Santhosh said that using his own voice was a way to represent the guilt that men themselves feel.
SJ Suryah, who began as a director and has lately branched into acting and music, shared his experience of working in Iraivi.”I always thought that I would be recognised as a good actor the day a successful director, who has his own following, asks me to act in his film. I have always wanted to prove my mettle in acting, and I can say that Iraivi is my first step as an actor,” he said.
A grateful Karthik Subbaraj thanked his cast and crew, and everyone who had supported the film. He said that irrespective of their age or gender, everyone would be able to relate to the film at multiple levels.
