Prime Video - Pushkar & Gayathri - Wallwatcher Films - A. Sarkunam - Alliance's 'EXAM' Tamil Original Web Series Preview Released
Produced by Pushkar & Gayathri under the banner of Wall Watcher Films, the web series 'EXAM' is directed by National Award-winning director A Sarkunam and stars Dushara Vijayan, Aditi Balan, and Abbas in the lead roles.
This web series, which is being prepared in seven episodes, will be released on the Prime Video digital platform from May 15th. The preview launch of the suspense thriller web series EXAM was held in Chennai. Producers Pushkar - Gayathri - Director A. Sargunam - Dushara Vijayan - Aditi Balan - were present at the event.
Speaking at the event, producer Pushkar said, "Before we started working on the film 'Wa Quarter Cutting', the film 'Kalavani' directed by A Sargunam had been released and was a success. A Sargunam had set a record of being able to make a big hit with a small budget. We mentioned this to the producers and told them, 'We don't need big stars. We can make a big hit with actors on a small budget.'"
In cinema, we tell the story of a hero. But since the web series released on the digital platform has a long format, some things will be necessary beyond that. When we watch the preview of the 'Exam' series, there is a conflict between the two characters, Jhansi and Maramalli... Will Jhansi get into trouble or not? There is a tension that continues to exist. Beyond this, there is also a story about competitive exam fraud called Exam.
When Sargunam first told us the story, all these things were in it. As soon as we heard the story, we understood that it was for a long form. To be honest, the only script we read from an outside source and said OK was Sargunam's story. We knew Andrews, who wrote the 'Vadanthi' series, from the beginning.
Once we hear the story, we'll see if there are any elements that can go on for six, seven or eight episodes. Director Sargunam was very clear on that point.
If you have seen a lot of web series... they might have been made into movies. However, they would have dragged it out a bit and turned it into a web series. But director Sargunam made it clear from the beginning that this was a story for a long form.
Shooting for a web series should be done with a very clear plan. Director Sargunam worked with a very clear plan in that regard as well. Sargunam is great in that regard too.'' he said.
Director Gayathri said, "The story he told us was very good. There are certain rules for making a film... for making a web series... you have to write specifically for that. When we discuss the story, they have to accept what we say with an open mind. That was with Director Sargunam. Whenever he gave any suggestions... or gave any notes... he would listen without denying and explain it.
A project requires a lot of things to come together. We were particularly clear about the actors. We were determined to have talented actors and artists. Thushara and Aditi were our top choices in this regard. We had already planned to work with Aditi in particular.
There is an important character in this series. Who would be suitable for this? We kept thinking. A year ago, actor Abbas suddenly came on video call and said that he thought he could act again. He has a special fan base. We chose him for that character. He has also acted wonderfully.
Talented technicians are working in our production company. This is the first work for the cinematographer. This is also the first work for the art director. So, as the director said, everyone has been working with enthusiasm and joy since the beginning of the Exam series until now.
"Everyone at Prime Video has worked hard for this. Even though we were creating the web series, everyone at Prime Video has given their full cooperation in all the work that needed to be done to reach the audience. For this, I would like to express our gratitude to them at this moment."
Director A. Sarkunam said, "Shankar, the founder of Shankar IAS Academy, is my friend. He is also a friend of mine who went to file a case against irregularities in competitive exams and eventually became a lawyer. I know many friends who are training for Tamil Nadu government exams. All of them are the main reason for creating this web series."
The biggest dream of the middle class people is the government job exam. Instead of just recording the irregularities that took place in it... a screenplay has been created in a thriller mode that creates the expectation of what happens next? What happens next?... This exam series is made up of seven episodes.
When I told the story to directors Pushkar & Gayathri.. the only thing they told me.. what next? what next? There should be excitement in every scene. In this, we should go beyond the boundaries of telling a good story... and along with entertainment aspects, they always shared with a friendly spirit that there should be thrilling moments of what will happen next. Their advice was also an important reason for this series.
After that, they gave me the freedom. They didn't just say OK after hearing the story... they read the entire script with me. They called me back and discussed it.
At the same time, they created a quality work without making any compromises in terms of production.
One thing I like the most is that ... when a film starts, the producer and the director have a good understanding. But when the film is completed, there is a difference of opinion between the producer and the director. The first work that I worked happily without such an experience was Exam, produced by Wallwatcher Films. For this, I thank both of them once again,'' he said.
Actress Thushara Vijayan said, 'This is my first digital debut through this web series. My film Charbhatta Paramparai was also released directly on Prime Video digital platform. I am very lucky in this regard.
Exam is a project that I accepted with confidence and eyes closed. As soon as Pushkar said Gayathri, I said OK. And especially when the director said A Sargunam, I said double OK.
Jhansi's character is difficult. She is an innocent girl. But she can make difficult decisions. That's how the character was created.
The most challenging part for me while playing this character was the moment she made the decision...but the director's talent was the reason I didn't worry too much about it.
This web series will definitely make an impact.
I am a believer in always playing different roles. Exam is one such story.
I believe that the character chose me rather than me choosing this one. I have been acting in stories like this and will continue to act in them.
"The experience of working with this team was unforgettable. Especially working with stunt master Dinesh. I have acted in the fight scenes in this film. Acting in those scenes on the set was a bit difficult and challenging. I thank everyone for choosing me for the role of Jhansi and giving me the opportunity," he said.
Actress Aditi Balan said, "Thank you to directors Pushkar-Gayathri and Sargunam for choosing me for the role of Maramalli and giving me the opportunity. There was some physical preparation required for the role of Maramalli. We had to do a lot of rehearsals and training for the fight scenes. Since it was my first time doing fight scenes, I worked on it with joy and happiness. I got beaten up a lot. I got beaten up. Both of us (Dushara and Aditi) took the beatings."
"This character starts off as a bit of a villain. I can't say anything more than that right now. When Director Sargunam sir explained this character to me, I agreed because I had never acted in such characters before. Before that, I was a huge fan of Director Sargunam. I have seen his films. Working with everyone was an unforgettable experience," he said.
