Trailer launch of Vijay-Suriya starrer 'Friends' to be re-released

 

Produced by Swarkachitra Appachan, directed by Siddique, and featuring Vijay-Suriya in the lead roles, the 2001 hit film 'Friends' is being remade in 4K technology after 24 years and is being released in theaters worldwide from the 21st under the banner of Jaguar Studios, produced by producer B. Vinod Jain. The trailer launch of the film was held in Chennai.

The event was attended by Vinod Jain, producer of Jaguar Studios, who is releasing the film, ECR P. Saravanan, Chennai Suburban District Secretary of Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam on behalf of actor Vijay, R. A. Raja, Executive President of All India Surya Charity Movement on behalf of Suriya, actor Ramesh Khanna, directors Perarasu, Gautham Raj, Pon Kumaran, Ganesh Babu, distributors distributing the film 'Friends' in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, and many others.

Speaking at the event, producer Vinod Jain said,

"'Friends' is a film that is close to all of us. When we think of Friends, what comes to mind is friendship and laughter. No matter how many times we watch this film, we never get bored. It has now been made in 4K technology with Dolby Atmos sound system. Thank you to everyone who helped make this film with modern technology. This film will be released in theaters on the 21st. I request everyone to support it," he said.

Mr. Shanu said, "The work of remaking the movie 'Friends' with modern technology took more than 70 days. We talked to the producer Appachan and bought the rights for the re-release. At that time, he gave permission only after imposing a condition that the movie should be released on a large scale. We gave the work of remaking the movie to a highly talented technical team. For this movie, we have remastered the sounds in three versions - 5.1 - 7.1 - Dolby Atmos. We have DIed every frame and done color correction. We have worked hard to give the fans a good experience again. No matter when you watch this movie, the fans will laugh.

Unlike the Malayalam version of this film, director Siddique will have added two new characters in the Tamil remake. So there will be a lot of difference between the Malayalam version of 'Friends' and the Tamil version of 'Friends'. Vadivelu's comedy will be ultimate in that. This film will be released in theaters on the 21st. Everyone should visit the theater, watch it, enjoy it and support it,'' he said.

Director Gautham Raj said, "I saw this film when I was in school. Now this film is being re-released. When I see the trailer, it looks technically good.

Cinematographer Ananda Kuttan, who worked with directors like Basil and Siddique during that period, is known for his lighting quality.

Watching this movie again in the theater brings back so many memories. To that extent, this movie is a cult classic.

To tell the truth, Siddique was the pan-Indian director of his time. He would take a story in Malayalam and make it a hit, and then direct the same story in each language, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi. Then he would direct a story in Malayalam again. There is no director like him who can write a script in a comedy version and direct it.

In Vijay's artistic journey, it was the film 'Friends' that elevated him to the status of collection king.

I saw this film in Aranthangi near Pudukkottai. The film ran for 40 days in our town.

This film was also the one that introduced Suriya to the entire town.

Even listening to the songs of the legend Ilayaraja now feels fresh.

The film features the character of Nesamani, who is still trending today. Until now, meme creators have been using scenes from the film.

I hope this film will bring back a lot of memories when you go to the theater and watch it. There is no discrimination between the current younger generation of fans who will choose this and that. They enjoy everything. This film will give them a different experience. Congratulations to the team,” he said.

Director Ganesh Babu said, "I am proud to have acted in this film. There are many heroes in this film like Vijay, Surya, Vadivelu, Ramesh Khanna. There will be a competition between all of them during the shooting. Most of the scenes of this film were shot at Kushal Das Garden and YMCA Ground in Kilpauk, Chennai. Kushal Das Garden is like a temple for cinema. All of them are unforgettable experiences," he said.

Director Pon Kumaran said, "I recently watched the film 'Aanpaavam Polladathu' with my family in a theater. When I came out after watching it, there was an advertising banner for the film 'Friends'. My wife excitedly asked when this film was coming out. I told her that this film was being re-released. Because of her enthusiasm, I was confident that everyone would watch this film with their families."

Currently, re-releasing successful films released in the past is increasing. This film has been made with good technical quality. When we go to the theater, the films playing in it give a good quality experience in terms of visuals and sound, the audience will welcome it. I commend producer Vinod Jain and his team for making such an effort.

"I met him and told him a story to direct in Tamil after directing films in Kannada. Then he told me another story and said that we can make this story into a film. He said that it was okay to say that the story would cost a lot of money, and is currently producing a film under the name 'Golmaal'. He has renovated the film 'Friends' by spending the same amount of time and money. His idea of ​​giving a quality film to the fans who come to the theater is lofty," he said.

Actor Ramesh Khanna said, "The director of this film, Siddique, will not allow the actors to speak any dialogue other than the ones he has written. I have worked with him as a dialogue writer in the film 'Bhaskar The Rascal'. He will not allow the actors to speak any dialogue other than the dialogue in the script. The dialogue 'Aaniye Pudunga Venam' featured in this film is a dialogue written by Gokula Krishna and director Siddique sir."

The only extra dialogue he allowed in this film was the line 'A goat happened... a cow happened..' that I speak. He didn't agree to that at first. Then he agreed after I explained that it was a cult classic dialogue.

Suriya and I had a great time while shooting for Friends. He and Jyothika were in love during the shooting of this film. I have sent a message to them.

As far as the film Friends is concerned, the director enjoyed and enjoyed creating it. He has a great sense of humor. It is a great loss for us that such a great director is not around. Nesamani is a wonderful character he created. Srinivasan would have played this character in Malayalam.

The fact that this film is being re-released after 24 years and that a trailer launch is being held for it means that we all have God's blessings.

When we were first introduced to cinema, if you ask us which was our favorite comedy film, we would say 'No Time to Love' and 'Ooty Vaari Vapava'. We can laugh at these films anytime. Similarly, we can laugh at 'Friends' anytime. This will make this film a huge hit even in its re-release.

Vijay and Suriya laugh while filming the clock breaking scene in this film. It takes more than half an hour to reshoot that scene. When reshooting, when the dialogue 'Ayo Naan Pidiklaada' is said, Vijay and Suriya laugh again. If you watch the film closely, Vijay and Suriya stand back and laugh.

When Vijay comes to the set for shooting, he is quiet. But when he acts, he acts wonderfully and is amazing. That is a gift from God for him. Similarly, he watches the scenes he acted in once in dubbing. After that, he speaks perfectly without any hesitation. As far as I know, actor Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan is the only one who watches the scenes he acted in once and speaks perfectly in the first dubbing. In that way, Vijay is a wonderful actor and a wonderful dubbing artist. Similarly, he interacts with us normally on the set without any attachment to being a hero.

"First, Jyothika was approached for the role of Devayani in this film. Then, they talked to Simran. In the end, Devayani was the one who played the role. She was lucky then. All the films she acted in since 'Kaadhal Kottai' have been successful. I congratulate her on her behalf as well," he said.

Speaking to Director Perarasu, he said, "Many secrets about Ramesh Khanna are only now being revealed. He has seen many jobs without even going to the set to act. He is helping the Suriya-Jyothika love story."

Surya and Vijay first acted in the film 'Nehrukku Ner'. In it, both of them are opposites and riddles. In this film, they are inseparable friends. I saw this film when I was in college.

Whenever we talk about any film like Vijay's 'Kadalukku Aadhi', 'Thullaatha Manamum Thullum', Suriya's 'Nanda', the story of that film comes to mind. But when we talk about 'Friends', the story doesn't come to mind. Only the comedy scenes in it come to mind.

For me, Siddique is a great director. You can direct an action film, you can direct a love subject, you can make a sentimental film and make people cry, but directing a comedy film is difficult. Because timing is very important for a comedy film. In the film 'Friends', there will be five or six actors in the comedy scenes. Everyone acts with timing and makes the audience laugh.

I don't know who the hero is in this film. I don't know if it's Vijaya, Suryava, Vadivela, Ramesh Khanna. All of them keep showcasing their talent in every scene.

Malayalam directors are very neat. They only shoot what is in the script. I have worked in Malayalam films.

After this film, Nesamani has become a trend.

When I was working on 'Thirupachchi', Vijay had grown into a huge action hero. When I was telling him the story of the film, I told the story using Benjamin in the goat slaughtering scene. Because he is a comedian. That's why I created the scene that way. Before going to shoot, I told Vijay the entire story of the film again. Then he hesitantly asked if it would be good if I acted in that goat slaughtering scene. I already had the idea of ​​having him act in that scene. But since he has become an action hero, I was skeptical whether that scene would be suitable for him. As soon as he asked, I said, 'Okay sir, you can act'. Even though Vijay has become a huge commercial hero today, he has a wonderful sense of comedy. In both my films 'Thirupachchi' and 'Sivakasi', the first half will be comedy.

If an actor has a sense of comedy, he will grow up to be a big hero. Only then can he grow into a star in the film world for a long time. Suriya will also be mixed with comedy in the film 'Pithamagan'.

There are challenges in releasing new films in the current environment. In this situation, re-releasing a film is a big deal. If you are re-releasing it, it should be worthy of it. This film 'Friends' deserves it. People are suffering mentally due to the news of bomb blasts, violence, and loss of life that is released every day. This film 'Friends' will be a huge relief for them. Therefore, I wish this film to be as successful as it was when it was released, when it is re-released, to the same extent," he said.

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