Sivakarthikeyan's Don will be a wholesome fun-filled campus entertainer: Cibi Chakravarthi

Sivakarthikeyan's Don, which is hitting the screens today, will be a wholesome entertainer. “Love, friendship, teacher-student dynamics, and bonding with the father are a few of the themes we’ve explored. For years, I had this story in my head and all I wanted to do was make a heartwarming, feel-good film,” says debutant director, Cibi Chakravarthi, former assistant to Atlee.

“The story revolves around the life of a mischievous college student, loved by all. Sivakarthikeyan's character in Don is more like an extension of his real-life persona. I had a great time working with him. Besides, partly, the film is inspired by a few incidents that happened in my life when I was a student,” the filmmaker tells OTTplay.

Don, bankrolled by Lyca Productions, and Sivakarthikeyan Productions, has music by Anirudh Ravichander, who has previously collaborated with Sivakarthikeyan in Ethir Neechal, Maan Karate, and Remo.

Cibi is hopeful that his film will not disappoint the audience. “College students, in particular, will relate to Don. The entire story doesn't take place on campus. It eventually moves to multiple places. We've packaged the film with the sentiment and emotions that the script demanded. More than anything else, Sivakarthikeyan was thrilled about playing a 17-year-old for the first time in his career. He put in a lot of effort, and even went on to shed a few kilos to fit into the role,” Cibi adds.

Don will also see SJ Suryah playing the antagonist. “This is the first time he has played a professor on screen. SJ Suryah is a very kind, and talented artist. I knew him from the days of Mersal. His role in Don will be the opposite of what he did in Simbu's Maanaadu. Initially, I felt nervous when I thought I was directing an experienced director like him. But he made me feel extremely comfortable," says Cibi.

Cibi says that his previous experience assisting Atlee prepared him for directing a star-studded cast in his debut. Shooting amid the pandemic was challenging for Cibi. “Most films had not begun the shooting process by then. Only some pre- and post-production work was going on. We followed adequate safety measures while shooting. It wasn't easy at all. Most importantly, we had a tough time controlling the crowd at the shooting site," he concludes.

Co-starring Priyanka Mohan, the film also sees Samuthirakani play the role of Sivakarthikeyan's father. The other cast includes Soori, Bala Saravanan, Munishkanth, Kaali Venkat, and Cooku with Comali-fame Sivaangi.

Don was filmed across several locations, including Pollachi, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Kerala.