Exclusive: Rajinikanth went for 15 takes in Kabali; Pa Ranjith recalls how it happened

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As a dedicated follower of the Tamil film industry, I have had the privilege of witnessing the extraordinary talent and dedication of artists like Chiyaan Vikram, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Malavika Mohanan, and director Pa Ranjith. Their recent collaboration in the movie “Thangalaan” is a testament to their unparalleled skills and ability to bring characters to life with an intensity that leaves audiences spellbound.

2024’s film “Thangalaan,” starring Chiyaan Vikram, Parvathy Thiruvothu, and Malavika Mohanan, has been one of the year’s biggest hits. Debuting in theaters on Independence Day, it managed to hold its ground against tough competition from movies like Double iSmart, Mr Bachchan, and Raghu Thatha. Now, under the direction of Pa Ranjith, this film will make its Hindi cinema premiere on September 6.

Prior to the premiere of Thangalaan in Hindi, Chiyaan Vikram, Pa Ranjith, and Parvathy participated in TopMob Masterclass, where they interacted with viewers. At this event, moderated by Himesh Mankad, the actors were queried about how they managed to consistently deliver the same intensity, response, and emotion despite filming up to 19 takes for a single scene.

In response to the query, Vikram playfully replied, “I’d like to keep a low profile, but I believe we are simply outstanding.” Similarly, Parvathy added, “Absolutely, we’re quite impressive.”

Director Pa Ranjith added to the amusement with his comment, “These actors are more than ready. They’re eager to showcase their talents and step into the world of Thangalaan. As they prepare and transform, they’ll undergo a complete metamorphosis once on set, facing various challenges. This isn’t an overt challenge; it’s more like an unseen one. When I call ‘action,’ they’ll bring their scenes to life. They are artists, and their performances are ever-evolving works of art.”

Vikram also praised Pa Ranjith’s work by stating, “Indeed, he deserves recognition. It wasn’t as simple as just capturing shots. Each take and each scene was a single shot, meaning there was no room for error in the initial attempt due to the large cast of 200 actors. The cameras would approach, pull back, and unexpectedly focus on small details like your leg; you had to continuously adjust. By the time everything moved into position, even one person could be off by a second or two, necessitating multiple takes. Therefore, we must acknowledge Pa Ranjith’s skill, as he is an inspiring director whose work we greatly appreciate.”

Parvathy also commented, “When it came to my turn in front of the camera, I’d often flub my lines too. This meant we had to restart from the beginning quite frequently, with someone else messing up their lines or a change in lighting happening. At one point, I even asked my assistant for an energy drink because by then, physically, I was drained and mentally focused but still exhausted. Fortunately, everyone on set supported each other.”

At the TopMob Masterclass event, they inquired about the method Pa Ranjith used to depict the character of superstar Rajinikanth distinctly in movies like Kaala and Kabali.

When asked about it, he replied, “Superstar trusts me, my work, ideas, and politics. He endorsed my scripts, even the dialogues, and everything else. There were many hilarious moments while making Kaala and Kabali. However, I recall asking him for additional shots, to which he responded, ‘No, please sir, we’ll try one more.’ We did around 15 takes in Kabali, and given his appreciation for my artistry, he allowed me to persist.”

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2024-08-28 17:53