A still from Iru Mugan. (Image Courtesy: iflickz.com)
Chennai:
When Chiyaan Vikram signs a film, expectations run high. The actor is known to pursue scripts which require him to push the envelope. Fans are curious as he returns to the screen with Iru Mugan, directed by Anand Shankar.
Produced by Shibu Thameen, the film has just finished its third schedule in Kashmir. Before the unit heads to Thailand soon, director Anand Shankar shares some exclusive insights into what fans can expect from the versatile hero.
The recently released 50-second teaser on Vikram's birthday and the first poster creates the impression of a world class film. There are several rumours surrounding the theme of the film and Anand Shankar shares exclusive facts about the film.
"Iru Mugan is an action thriller based on international espionage. Vikram plays an Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Agent whose work takes him to international shores. That's why we have shot majorly in Malaysia and now we'll be going to Thailand as well," said Mr Shankar.
"I read up on the activities of intelligence officers and tried to gather information on how they work. An interesting fact came to light when one of the actors Karunakaran told me during the shoot that his own father was a former RAW agent. I couldn't believe the coincidence. Several portions have been shot in Chennai and we have just returned from a schedule in Pahalgam in Kashmir," added Mr Shankar.
Iru Mugan means 'two-faced' in Tamil. The poster with Vikram wearing a breathing mask makes one wonder if the film has a sci-fi backdrop as well. Anand Shankar clarifies: "Yes there are elements of science fiction in Iru Mugan but that's only one part of the film, which adds to the intriguing factor. Basically, I wanted to make an action thriller which is large in scale and has the fine sensibilities of a James Bond flick."
"When Vikram heard just a few lines of the story, he immediately understood the scope of the canvas, his role and how it will pan out on screen," said Mr Shankar.
Dismissing rumours that Vikram plays a transgender in the film, Mr Shankar said categorically: "No, Vikram is not playing a transgender. However, there is another surprise element which we can't reveal at this stage."
With camerawork by RD Rajsekar, the unit had a tough time shooting in the extremely cold locales of Kashmir.
"We have shot in parts of Kashmir that equal and even surpass picturesque Switzerland in beauty. We could have shot in other hill states but we wanted to get the real Kashmir onscreen," said Mr Shankar.
Vikram's jaw-dropping act
Mr Shankar is amazed by Vikram's dedication to his craft. "It was biting cold in Kashmir and Vikram and Nayanthara had to wear normal clothing and not winter wear for their shots. But they did it without complaints. If you tell Vikram that getting ready for a shot will take five hours, he'll actually jump excitedly at the opportunity. Even for a helicam shot which is a long shot which a dupe can do, he insisted on being in the frame," said Mr Shankar.
"So, Vikram and Nayanthara got into the Audi A3 Cabriolet and slid open the roof and stood up in the speeding vehicle, facing biting chilly winds in Kashmir, all for the authenticity of a shot. That's how dedicated they are. Similarly, in the sweltering summer heat of Chennai, Vikram gladly sat for five hours to put on body paint for a song. He never goes for the easier option. He just craves for hard work," added Mr Shankar.
The stunts in the film are done by Ravi Verma who has worked in several Salman Khan films and is currently working on Shah Rukh Khan's Raees as well.
"The stunts of Iru Mugan are very stylishly choreographed keeping in mind the international angle of the story. Vikram has given it his hundred percent and not used any body doubles. He's one actor whose inputs and efforts only elevate the film," said Mr Shankar.
Plenty of Action
There are several international stunt scenes in the film. "For a special shot, we filmed a car stunt at Jonker's Walk in Malacca which is used mainly by pedestrians. We had a stunt shot of a car which topples and spins three times in the air, flying over Vikram's black BMW in the process. The locals were shocked how we achieved it all in the limited space we had since cars are not usually allowed there. That's one action scene to look out for," said Mr Shankar.
Another high-octane action sequence was shot at Putrajaya city in Malaysia, which houses the federal administrative government buildings. Apparently, a hi-octane stunt sequence was canned there on the famous Putrajaya Bridge where shooting doesn't take place usually.
"We got special permission and shot there. However, the shoot caused a traffic build up since we required an empty bridge. It was widely reported in the papers there at that time since it's a very tough area to shoot in, given the importance of the buildings nearby," said Mr Shankar.
Produced by Shibu Thameen, the film has just finished its third schedule in Kashmir. Before the unit heads to Thailand soon, director Anand Shankar shares some exclusive insights into what fans can expect from the versatile hero.
The recently released 50-second teaser on Vikram's birthday and the first poster creates the impression of a world class film. There are several rumours surrounding the theme of the film and Anand Shankar shares exclusive facts about the film.
"Iru Mugan is an action thriller based on international espionage. Vikram plays an Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Agent whose work takes him to international shores. That's why we have shot majorly in Malaysia and now we'll be going to Thailand as well," said Mr Shankar.
"I read up on the activities of intelligence officers and tried to gather information on how they work. An interesting fact came to light when one of the actors Karunakaran told me during the shoot that his own father was a former RAW agent. I couldn't believe the coincidence. Several portions have been shot in Chennai and we have just returned from a schedule in Pahalgam in Kashmir," added Mr Shankar.
(Image Courtesy: iflickz.com)
"When Vikram heard just a few lines of the story, he immediately understood the scope of the canvas, his role and how it will pan out on screen," said Mr Shankar.
Dismissing rumours that Vikram plays a transgender in the film, Mr Shankar said categorically: "No, Vikram is not playing a transgender. However, there is another surprise element which we can't reveal at this stage."
With camerawork by RD Rajsekar, the unit had a tough time shooting in the extremely cold locales of Kashmir.
"We have shot in parts of Kashmir that equal and even surpass picturesque Switzerland in beauty. We could have shot in other hill states but we wanted to get the real Kashmir onscreen," said Mr Shankar.
Vikram's jaw-dropping act
Mr Shankar is amazed by Vikram's dedication to his craft. "It was biting cold in Kashmir and Vikram and Nayanthara had to wear normal clothing and not winter wear for their shots. But they did it without complaints. If you tell Vikram that getting ready for a shot will take five hours, he'll actually jump excitedly at the opportunity. Even for a helicam shot which is a long shot which a dupe can do, he insisted on being in the frame," said Mr Shankar.
"So, Vikram and Nayanthara got into the Audi A3 Cabriolet and slid open the roof and stood up in the speeding vehicle, facing biting chilly winds in Kashmir, all for the authenticity of a shot. That's how dedicated they are. Similarly, in the sweltering summer heat of Chennai, Vikram gladly sat for five hours to put on body paint for a song. He never goes for the easier option. He just craves for hard work," added Mr Shankar.
The stunts in the film are done by Ravi Verma who has worked in several Salman Khan films and is currently working on Shah Rukh Khan's Raees as well.
"The stunts of Iru Mugan are very stylishly choreographed keeping in mind the international angle of the story. Vikram has given it his hundred percent and not used any body doubles. He's one actor whose inputs and efforts only elevate the film," said Mr Shankar.
Plenty of Action
There are several international stunt scenes in the film. "For a special shot, we filmed a car stunt at Jonker's Walk in Malacca which is used mainly by pedestrians. We had a stunt shot of a car which topples and spins three times in the air, flying over Vikram's black BMW in the process. The locals were shocked how we achieved it all in the limited space we had since cars are not usually allowed there. That's one action scene to look out for," said Mr Shankar.
(Image Courtesy: iflickz.com)
Another high-octane action sequence was shot at Putrajaya city in Malaysia, which houses the federal administrative government buildings. Apparently, a hi-octane stunt sequence was canned there on the famous Putrajaya Bridge where shooting doesn't take place usually.
"We got special permission and shot there. However, the shoot caused a traffic build up since we required an empty bridge. It was widely reported in the papers there at that time since it's a very tough area to shoot in, given the importance of the buildings nearby," said Mr Shankar.
