'Puli' audio launch- Complete coverage
The audio launch of Ilayathalapathy Vijay’s upcoming big budget period-fantasy -action entertainer, Puli has happened yesterday (August 2) at a posh resort near Mahabalipuram.
Royal theme based red carpet
Organizers of Puli audio launch had arranged for theme based red carpet, where the celebrities were given a royal welcome with horses, palanquin and warriors standing on the both sides of red carpet.
Vijay’s personal welcome
The audio launch started by 6.30 PM but right from 4 PM, Vijay stood at the entrance, welcoming each and every media person, fans and celebrities which was later appreciated by everyone who spoke about it at the function.
Producers Thameens and PT Selvakumar
The function began with Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu and moments of silence to pay respect to the late former President, APJ Abdul Kalam. After that the film’s producers—PT Selvakumar and Thameens addressed the gathering.
Thameens said “I did not expect fans arranging such large number of banners on both sides of road; even we couldn’t promote our films like them. We only gave quarter page paper advertisement for Puli but fans have given three page advertisement for this audio launch— it’s all for Vijay sir”.
“Puli happened only because of Vijay sir. Just like that, we knocked the door of Boney Kapoor because we went with the recommendation of Vijay and when we narrated the story to Sridevi mam, she immediately accepted it” added Thameens.
“When Vijay sir was shooting for Thalaivaa, he called me and said ‘anna get ready for the next film’, I thought it was yet another PRO venture for me but Vijay sir told me that he is going to act in a film produced by me and Shibu—I was totally spellbound” said PT Selvakumar.
“Vijay sir is the only actor who acted in a film for his own PRO and forever I will be grateful to him and his family” said PT Selvakumar who is Vijay’s personal manager.
Completely surprised by Vijay’s simplicity-Sridevi
Sridevi who is making a comeback in Tamil cinema after 27 years said “It’s like coming back home for me, I always loved Tamil Nadu and I will never forget my home-place”.
Sridevi also said “At first, I was little skeptical about the current working style of Tamil film industry but my co-actors made me feel comfortable, I was completely surprised by Vijay’s simplicity”.
Sridevi also thanked Chimbu Devan for giving her a solid character and also the producers, Shibu and PT Selvakumar.
Many celebrities including KS Ravikumar, SJ Suryah have said that they are huge fans for Sridevi and they came to audio launch to see her after 27 years while actresses Hansika and Nandita Sweta said that Sridevi is a huge inspiration to them.
Dream come true moment for Shruti Haasan
“When I made by debut in Tamil cinema, had a wish to work with Vijay sir and now, I’m glad that it has happened with Puli” said Shruti Haasan.
“Before Puli, I don’t know that Vijay is an extra-ordinary singer but after listening to Yaendi Yaendi, I wish I hadn’t sung that song because he rendered it so well” said Shruti Haasan.
Hansika’s Tamil speech
For the first time, Hansika gave a full on Tamil speech at Puli audio launch. The actress said “Thanks to Vijay sir for accepting such a unique script and also acting with me for the second time”.
Hansika also thanked producers PT Selvakumar and Shibu, director Chimbu Devan for the big opportunity.
Puli is a super hero movie – Thambi Ramaiah
When everyone was tight-lipped about the genre of Puli, Thambi Ramaiah broke it with his hyper enthusiasm.
“Puli is actually a super hero movie and not a historical or mythological genre as speculated by many” said Thambi Ramaiah.
“I’m sure Chimbu Devan’s script is completely unique but it demanded a superstar to play the protagonist and we should thank Vijay for accepting such a different film” added Thambi Ramaiah.
Vijay ‘Vaalu’ ku mattum illa, ‘Thalai’ kum nalladhey ninaipaar – Perarasu
Perarasu who directed Vijay’s Thirrupachi and Sivakasi said “Today, I came across news saying that Vijay helped for Simbu’s Vaalu. ‘ Not just for Vaalu, Vijay sir would wish good for ‘Thala’ (Ajith) too” .
Title Puli suits only for Vijay- SJ Suryah
SJ Suryah said “The title Puli suits only for Vijay sir and there is no prefix needed before Puli (may be took a dig at ‘Paayum’ Puli) “.
“In my experience, after Superstar Rajinikanth, Vijay is the only actor who was extremely down to earth. People appreciating Vijay for welcoming everyone, well he is a Tamilan and that’s our inborn quality” said SJ Suryah.
The director also compared Shruti Haasan with Simran and Hansika with Kushboo. When the anchor asked whether Kushi -2 will happen, the director smiled and said ‘May be at god’s will’.
I acted just like a platform for Vijay – SA Chandrasekar
SA Chandrasekar, proud father of Vijay said “When he (Vijay) wanted to act in cinema, I just provided a platform but his success actually belongs to all the producers and directors like Fazil, Vikraman, KS Ravikumar, SJ Suryah, Ramana, Dharani, Perarasu, Prabhu Deva and AR Murugadoss”.
“I request Vijay’s fans to not only follow his on screen presence, follow him in real life too” said SAC.
The director said Vijay is working hard to retain the success, “He is just eating vegetables to be fit, working 24*7. Today, even two failures would vanish an actor’s stardom in film industry hence this much hard work” said SAC.
TR’s stunning rhyming speech
The highlight of Puli audio launch is the thundering rhyming speech of T Rajendar, popular director and dad of STR.
TR got emotional while speaking about how Vijay helped for the release of Vaalu. “STR might be a fan of another actor but he is a dear friend of Ilayathalapathy Vijay” said TR.
“Despite knowing my song is a fan of another actor, Vijay helped him because both are bothers, both are Tamilans” said TR.
“May be Vijay helped for Vaalu because my son voiced out during Thalaivaa issue, maybe it’s because I spoke high on him during my Malaysian tour with SAC and Shoba or maybe, he could have helped because STR is a fellow Tamilan” added TR.
The director said, he never attended the audio launches of superstars but he came for Puli audio launch for the golden heart of Vijay.
TR added “I see myself as the mirror image of SA Chandrasekar. I introduced my son STR to the film industry just like how SA Chandrasekar introduced Vijay” .
TR got excited and emotional for Vijay’s kind gesture and his rhyming speech lasted more than twenty minutes. Later Vijay went to the stage and honored TR with a ‘ponaadai’, only then the speech came to an end.
TR also honored Vijay with the same ‘Ponnadai’ (Silk cloth) and the duo shared moments of mutual admiration on the stage.
I had faced a lot of insults before success – Vijay
Off late, Vijay has become an excellent orator and the tremendous form continued in Puli audio launch too.
“People say ‘Behind every successful man there is a woman’ but behind my success, there were a lot of insults and embarrassments. Nothing to hide, you all knew it” said Vijay. (En Vetrigalku pin neraya avamanam dhaan iruku…ungaluku dhaan theriyumey”).
“I never really cared about people who talk behind me. Had I listened to them, I wouldn’t have been here standing in front of you” added Vijay.
The actor also made a strong statement on piracy. It has to be noted that the teaser of Puli was leaked before the official launch.
“I really don’t know about the weird pleasure of some people in ruining the plans of directors who painstakingly scheduled to release each and everything for his film” said Vijay.
Piracy is like “Killing a normal delivery baby through cesarean” said Ilaiyathalapathy Vijay. (“Piracy ngrathu, suga prasavam aaga pora kolanthaiya, caesarian panni kolrathuku samam”)
Vijay also sarcastically pointed out about the current trend of releasing first look, digital motion poster, teaser and trailer.
“Ippo dhaa edho solrangaley—first look, second look, digital motion poster, teaser and trailer, sari adha vidunga” said Vijay. The actor added “Gone are the days when we used to release only first look poster and then before fifteen days of the release, they would unveil the trailer”
The actor also said that he could completely hate someone but can’t fake in showing love and affection (“Enakku unmaya oruthara verukka theriyum aana poiya oruthara nesika theriyathu”).
Vijay also said that his motto in life is to entertain everyone. “Life is uncertain, we really don’t know what is going to happen in the next second, let’s make everyone happy in our short lifetime” said Vijay.
Speaking about his team, the actor said “Both Kamalakannan (graphics) and Sreekar Prasad are two heroes of the film, you will understand it while watching it on big screen”.
The actor also thanked Sridevi for accepting to act in the film and thanked the entire cast and crew for their support.
