The BTS video of Jai Bhim showcases the efforts that went into replicating the 160-year-old Madras High Court

Suriya-starrer Jai Bhim, which had Tha Se Gnanavel at the helm, had opened to rave reviews from critics and film lovers alike. The team has now released a five-minute BTS video which features production designer K Kadhir, cinematographer SK Kathir, director Gnanavel and co-producer Rajsekar Pandian opening up about the various efforts they undertook in bringing authenticity to the set of Madras High Court which was created in 25 days for the movie and visiting the court for the same. Interestingly, one of the highlights of the courtroom drama was its art direction.  

Kadhir said, "The courtrooms we see in most of the films have a U-shaped table which is surrounded by lawyers. The director had insisted that we should do away with that design and that we should replicate the same court where the real incident had happened. During our visit to the court, we realized that every material there has a story to it." 

Apparently, they had only 15 minutes to go around and see the court and no phones or pictures were allowed. They had to memorize whatever they saw in their minds, the seating arrangements, pillars, windows, seats for the judges, seats for prosecutors, and so on. As soon as they completed the visit, that they did a rough sketch based on which they started planning the set design.

SK Kathir said that he had never visited even a lower rung court, and hence, a visit to the HC was something he would always cherish. He said, "The biggest challenge for me was to grasp whatever we saw there in limited amount of time. It was quite a difficult task to remember the source of light and colour palette of each hall and building there." However, he added that Justice K Chandru's (on whose life the film is based on) help was instrumental in replicating the court.  

Rajsekar, who worked in Madras High Court for 20 years, said that he felt surreal seeing the set design as it brought back the memories of his working days there.  

According to Gnanavel, a few staff from High Court, who visited the set was all praise for the team. He said, "That itself was a huge success for us." The BTS video also featured Chandru seen discussing with Suriya and Gnanavel during the shooting.