Reporting by Janani K; Photos by Dani Charles. Photos from the audio launch are below the report.
For the number of chairs on stage, it was an unusually small event. The Mellisai audio launch had a host of celebrities. Directors Ram, Karthik Subbaraj, Bramma, Balaji Tharanitharan and Thamira were all present. As usual, two songs and a teaser were screened. As usual, there was loud applause with Vijay Sethupathi’s fans excitedly cheering his work.
There was an atmosphere of friendship, new and old. Karthik Subbaraj and Balaji Tharanitharan (Bajji, as Vijay Sethupathi calls him) had no reason to be there, except to support their friend, Vijay Sethupathi. Mellisai’s director Ranjit Jeyakodi was an associate of director Ram and a common friend of Kuttram Kadithal director Bramma. That explained their presence as well.
We were expecting long speeches by all those present. But, every celebrity spoke minimally, mostly wishing the Mellisai team success, and appreciating their hard work. The film had been on the shelves for a while, and now, said several speakers, the time has come for it to blossom. As director Thamira phrased it, “After a long penance, is a hard earned boon. So, it is time for the Mellisai team to rejoice over this boon.”
Director Ram, who is never far from a bold speech, looked proud. After all, it was his associate debuting as a director in the industry. Ram said, “Every person in this world has experienced the joy of their first love, first salary, first kiss. And the first time they debut as a director. Now, I am extremely happy for my associate. For his hard work in bringing out a brilliant film. Ranjit worked as my assistant in 2004 and 2005. I always saw Ranjit as a guy who was eloquent in Tamil literature and world cinema. Like the words in the trailer, Indha nagarathula neenga swarasiyama vaazhalam, aana nimmadhiya vaazhareengala nu dan kelvi, Mellisai is a perfect entertainer with a social message.”
Actress Gayathrie, who had teamed up with Vijay Sethupathi in Balaji Tharanitharan’s Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanum, was so emotional that she was left searching for words. She said she had pinned all her hopes on Mellisai, so much so that she hadn’t signed any other movies. Vijay Sethupathi seemed equally moved by the moment, and added that he could understand Gayathrie’s emotions. He also said that he had been given the liberty to implement his ideas in this film, as Ranjit gave him a free hand.
There were no chest-thumping speeches full of praise and admiration. Instead, there was the quiet conversation and heartfelt laughter between director Ram and Karthik Subbaraj throughout the event. Somehow, that conveyed more than speeches could, about the bond between these artists. Mediapersons curiously wondered about the interchange. Was it about cinema in general? Updates on each other’s movies? Fellow directors’ achievement? When the event was about to close, the teaser and songs were screened. Even as it played, the silhouette of director Balaji Tharanitharan and producer Mahesh of Auraa Cinemas could be seen. Heads bent in deep conversation, mobile phones out as numbers were exchanged. After all, an audio launch isn’t only about celebrating the music. It’s also about building a great rapport with fellow industry members.
