Ten years ago, filmmaker Perarasu was one of the most successful filmmakers in Tamil cinema, directing top stars such as actors Ajith and Vijay.
Over time, however, Perarasu’s formula-driven narrative became passé and his films continuously bombed.
With his latest film, Tihar , featuring newcomer Mukundan, actor R. Parthiban and a few others, the filmmaker hopes to salvage his career.
“It will not have my usual formula,” he says, suggesting Tihar would be a deviation from his past films.
“The film will not have an opening song, there will be no punch dialogues and no item songs. It will appeal to the contemporary audience,” he says.
In a nutshell, Tihar is filmmaker Perarasu’s attempt, he says, to prove his critics, who unanimously agree he cannot make a film outside the contours of his formula, wrong.
“They all think that Perarasu can do only one kind of movie. I want to prove I can do a different type of film. Most filmgoers are young people; they appreciate movies with good visual aesthetics. I have tried to cater to them,” he says.
Does he believe his film could alienate his audience? He is eager to add that it is not a completely different film either.
“It is a film about the clash of two dons in Tihar (outside the prison), with the narrative featuring close to eight stunt sequences and three songs. It will be stylish,” he says, adding, “I have retained the idea of naming films after a place. It has nothing to do with the jail or its inmates.”
To a question whether he will appear on screen, Perarasu says he won’t disappoint his fans. “However, there will be no unnecessary prelude before I appear on screen,” he says.
Stating the brief detour from formula won’t last for long, Perarasu says his next film will be a ‘typical love story’ narrated in his own style.
“For Thirupathi , I was given the State award. I will aim for an award with my next film,” he says. With Tihar , Perarasu only hopes to be back in the reckoning.
