At the trailer and music release event of the film ‘Padikkaatha Pakkangal’ produced by Movie Park, Pournami Pictures’ Muthukumar and directed by Selvam Madhappan in Chennai, renowned lyricist Vairamuthu shared his thoughts.
Lyricist Vairamuthu, while speaking at the event, emphasized the significance of the music release for ‘Padikkaatha Pakkangal’. He recounted an amusing incident where a speaker named Adhav Balaji was mistakenly announced as ‘Adhanga Balaji’, which humorously became his nickname due to his poignant speech about the current state of the film industry, the direction of stories, the condition of theaters, and the chaos among producers.
Vairamuthu expressed his joy in attending the event, not to celebrate the already successful but to encourage emerging, unsupported, and aspiring artists. He drew a metaphor comparing those who look for snakes in holes as people of the past, while those who seek honey in flowers represent the new generation. He attended the event to celebrate these new faces and talents.
He discussed the challenges faced by the film industry, stating that the decline is not due to the audience, actors, writers, or theater owners, but rather the changing colors and paths of the industry itself. He criticized the practice of hiding ticket counters and canceling shows if a minimum audience number is not met, questioning why people hesitate to watch good films and attributing it to the modern era of technology.
Vairamuthu lamented how technology has fragmented Tamil cinema fans into various groups, from mobile phones to computers, home theaters, and OTT platforms, dividing the 35 lakh fan base into 35 segments. He believes that only those who can penetrate these barriers will succeed, and it’s crucial to recover the essence of Tamil cinema.
In his 44th year in the film industry, Vairamuthu expressed his fondness for the song ‘Sarakku’ from ‘Padikkaatha Pakkangal’, which he wrote. He appreciated producer Muthukumar for giving him creative freedom, which he utilized responsibly, unlike the misused freedom of India. He thanked his predecessors, like Maruthakasi and Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, for their contributions to Tamil songs, emphasizing that while actors and directors may be forgotten, the songwriter and composer remain immortal through their work.
Focusing on the issues of modern women, ‘Padikkaatha Pakkangal’ aims to make a statement. Vairamuthu urged viewers to watch the film, highlighting a song he wrote that opposes alcohol consumption, reflecting on the devastation caused by alcohol and drugs in society.
He addressed the debate of whether music or language is more important in a song, asserting that both are equally significant and that a song’s true essence emerges when they complement each other. He concluded by expressing his belief that the film ‘Padikkaatha Pakkangal’ deserves success.
Vairamuthu’s speech sheds light on the symbiotic relationship between music and language in the arts and the need to support the growth of new talent in the film industry. His message is a call to action to embrace change and innovation for the success of cinema and society.
