Pon Ondru Kanden director Priya V Interview: We want a reminder of Kanda Naal Mudhal

Minsara Kanavu, Kadhal Desam, Kadhal Kondein, and Shah Jahan. What do these films have in common? It was a love triangle that made these films stand the test of time and modernity. These films have something that calls for multiple rewatches. And now, director Priya V is all set for her upcoming film Pon Ondru Kanden, a romantic comedy with a love triangle, starring Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Vasanth Ravi in lead roles. The film is set to be released on April 14 on JioCinema. We spoke to the director ahead of the film's release. Here are some snippet from the conversation:

On Pon Ondru Kanden

“It is a light, fun film. We have targeted the young generation and young adults and we think there is enough for everybody in the film. There will be a subtext and if people get it, it’s great. If not, I believe that the film will still entertain the audience,” Priya says in conversation with OTTplay.

Priya had pitched the script to Yuvan Shankar Raja, who is backing the film along with Jyoti Deshpande under YSR Films Production. After JioCinema also stepped in, the film began last year, says the filmmaker. “We were just toying around with the idea of how it is always the guy who has the most confusion about whom he will spend his life with. We wanted to reverse that point of view and personally, I also want a reminder of Kanda Naal Mudhal. It is about two guys and a girl, and that’s where it came across. Reema, my co-writer and I were talking about this pre-pandemic, and it all came together last year,” she adds.

Also read: Vasanth Ravi Interview - Pon Ondru Kanden will show that I can pull off lighthearted films 

On casting

Speaking about casting, Priya says that they were very sure that Ashok Selvan would work for the role, given his acting prowess and comic timing. Coming to Vasanth Ravi, the director says that Yuvan Shankar Raja had come up with the idea of his casting. Priya continues, “Having done intense roles, it will be refreshing to see him doing a light-hearted film. It is also challenging but it has paid off very well. Regarding Aishwarya, I wanted someone who is smart, intelligent and can really hold a role. She is strong but also has vulnerabilities.” The trio is ably supported by a cast including Mathew Varghese, veteran actor Sachu, Deepa, and other newcomers.

Calling Pon Ondru Kanden a slice-of-life fun film about people of today’s times, Priya says that they have tried to explore modern thoughts and be as young as possible in their approach. “At heart, I feel still young and look at life for fun rather than take it seriously. Somewhere, love and romance do not change to much but the way we look at them has evolved in a different way. Life is fun and beautiful and I would like to take it lightly.”

When asked if the film will adhere to the cliches that might come along with the rom-com genre, the director says, “I am not worried about cliches. The first scene in the film will let you know you are on this ride. Sometimes cliches are nice and then you try to break them or look differently. That is what we have tried. We did not do a nouveau film, but it’s a fun and modern film.”

On Mani Ratnam’s influence

Priya, who has come from Mani Ratnam’s school of filmmaking, says that his influence is always there. “We are Mani sir’s ADs for life. But we try to also come close to how he looks at a film. I also have Suhasini’s influence and I love her dialogue style,” Priya says.

Also read: Ashok Selvan Interview: Tamil industry is going through a major change; we will see a different cinema next year 

Pon Ondru Kanden also marks her reunion with Yuvan Shakar Raja after Kanda Naal Mudhal. “We were able to get back the magic with Yuvan and that is probably my biggest takeaway. We pulled off great music. Personally, I realised I still have it in me to laugh at life and enjoy it,” she mentions. The director mentions how musically inclined she is and would like to use songs to move the story forward. Highlighting the importance of songs in her films, she calls Yuvan conjured magic every time they work together.

The filmmaker signs off by thanking her crew: cinematographer Bagath, editor Sathish Suriya, co-writer Reema and production designer Surya Rajeevan.

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