Meet Gitanjali, the director

Gitanjali Selvaraghavan takes the plunge with Maalai Nerathu Mayakkam, featuring newcomers

Director Gitanjali

Director Selvaraghavan’s wife Gitanjali has taken the plunge into direction. She will helm Maalai Nerathu Mayakkam , based on a script by Selvaraghavan. The debut director has been shooting in and around Chennai for a week now. “Day 7 of shoot for my directorial debut #maalainerathumayakkam it’s been a super exciting and eventful week for me!” she tweeted. “#feelingnocturnal #nightshoot #owlschedule I love it! Night shoots always make me feel so alive!...”

Some years ago, Selvaraghavan was supposed to direct a film by the same name, with Dhanush and Andrea in the lead, but it was shelved.

Speaking to

MetroPlus , Gitanjali said: “

Maalai … is an existing script that I’ve always liked a lot. A few months ago, Selva asked me if I would be interested in directing it. He has been encouraging me to get into direction, and I was thrilled to take it up.” She echoed a similar sentiment in a tweet: “Thank you @selvaraghavan for giving me such a beautiful script to work with. But, more importantly, for all your love and encouragement.”

This film, funded by a new producer, has a fresh cast and crew, and their names will be announced shortly, says Gitanjali. Cinematography is by Sridhar, her friend and an assistant of Ramji, who worked in Selvaraghavan’s

Irandam Ulagam , Mayakkam Enna and Aayirathil Oruvan .

“We had three days of day shoots and the rest have been night shoots. I feel like an owl now!” she says. “But the advantage with night shoots is that they allow me the luxury of spending time with my kids Lila (two and a half)) and Omkar, who is going to turn one. My parents and Selva take care of them when I am away.”

Selva has apparently decided to take a break to spend time with the children. “Like all of you, I am also eagerly awaiting the next @selvaraghavan film, but he has decided to step back a bit and spend time with our kids…I have to respect the father’s decision. But as a fan I hope he changes his mind soon and comes back with something explosive!” she recently tweeted.

How does it feel to get back to the sets after a prolonged break raising the children? “Till I got back, I never realised how much I missed it. It feels like I am back home.”