I never underestimate the audience: Balaji Tharaneetharan

Chennai

Director Balaji Tharaneetharan’s long-pending Oru Pakka Kathai recently had its premiere on Zee 5. The film opened to mixed and positive reviews. “Some found the film to be slow and others sat through it. Those who watched the entire film gave me positive feedback. It is a slow-burner in which it takes time for emotions to build up,” begins Balaji. He adds that this isn’t the first time he has come across such responses before the film has attained a cult status. “People gave me a similar response when Naduvula Konja Pakkatha Kaanom. They wondered why I made a film with four boys predominantly, a lot of night scenes and no songs. What happened was it went on to attain cult status. Now, something similar has happened to Oru Pakka Kathai. I take the audience feedback seriously. Also, I don’t underestimate them,” he says.

Balaji also feels that if the film had a theatrical release, the scenario would have been different. “Unlike OTT, you cannot fast forward a film or take a break whenever you feel like. You will have to sit through it until the interval. However, there are people who have watched this movie in one stretch and liked it, which is a positive thing,” adds the director. Balaji also credited his lead actors Kalidas Jayaram and Megha Akash and says that they were tailor-made for their characters. “They were convincing even during the auditions. We had a few workshops prior to the shoot, which made them get into the skin of the character,” he opens up. The director says that an announcement will be made on his next project soon. “The scripting will be done soon and I will give an update in the coming weeks,” concludes Balaji.