‘Thangalaan’ has achieved the highest opening in Chiyaan Vikram’s career – KE Gnanavel Raja

Chiyaan Vikram's period action film Thangalaan hit theaters on the 15th of this month and has received a blockbuster response. Produced by Pa Ranjith and famous producer KE Gnanavel Raja under the banner of Studio Green Films in association with Neelam Productions, the film features Parvathy Thiruvothu and Malavika Mohanan as the lead actresses. Producer KE Gnanavel Raja expressed his delight at the overwhelming response to Thangalaan. He emphasized that the film has reinforced the belief that audiences appreciate a well-made movie. In a recent interview, KE Gnanavel Raja discussed the success of Thangalaan.

– Thangalaan is seeing excellent openings, particularly in Telugu, where the response has exceeded our expectations. The collections are double what we anticipated, and we are amazed by the results. Both A, B, and C centers are performing well. These are the highest openings in Chiyaan Vikram's career. We hope to reach a total of 200 crore rupees. To connect more with the audience, the team is planning a theatrical visit. Vikram is also actively promoting the film in Telugu, including visits to Vijayawada and Hyderabad. Alongside Thangalaan, Demonte Colony 2 was released in Tamil, and it is also performing well.

– I wish success for all films released on the 15th alongside us in Telugu. Theaters are increasing for Thangalaan, with screens being added in various locations. Although three major films were released in Hindi, Thangalaan will be released in all other languages on the 30th.

– Both Buddy and Thangalaan are distinct films from our company. As a producer, I always trust the director and the script. I have confidence in Pa Ranjith’s filmmaking skills. I had long dreamed of working with Chiyaan Vikram, and I was thrilled when he agreed to star in Thangalaan. After the film's success, I sent a bouquet to Vikram's house, and he called to discuss the collections.

– Our first period film, Paruthiveeran, was made under Studio Green. Making a movie like Thangalaan is a significant undertaking that takes years of effort. For Thangalaan, Pa Ranjith handled the script entirely on his own, and Chiyaan Vikram focused solely on his performance.

– My set experience was minimal until Thangalaan. Out of 108 shooting days, I only visited the set four times and spent two hours there. We gave Pa Ranjith and his team full freedom, trusting their vision.

– We believe that some force guides us—whether it's faith in God or karma. If we do something wrong, we feel that consequences will follow. Director Pa Ranjith created Malavika Mohanan's Aarti character based on this concept. My approach to filmmaking is to trust the audience’s taste.

– The budgets for films like Kanguva and Thangalaan are hard to predict precisely due to their unique nature. Unlike other projects where budgets can be estimated, these films require flexibility. The final product will determine the necessary investment.

– In Thangalaan, Chiyaan Vikram, Parvathy, Malavika, and Pashupati delivered performances so natural that they truly embodied their characters. Many actors were injured during shooting, but we accommodated their needs and rescheduled accordingly.

– The trailer for Kanguva is receiving a tremendous response, and a new trailer will be released before the film's debut. Today, more grounded movies are gaining popularity. For instance, Kantara became a pan-India hit despite its unfamiliarity. Similarly, Rangasthalam and Pushpa were unexpected successes, influencing trends. Our company also produces commercial films and will continue to do so if we secure projects with star heroes in Telugu.

– Speaking the truth can sometimes lead to controversy. I share my honest thoughts and am pleased that Ponniyin Selvan received National Awards. Congratulations to all the winners.