The writing of Yennai Arindhaal | Gautham Vasudev Menon | Ajith Kumar | Anushka | Trisha

Gautham Vasudev Menon discusses the writing of #YennaiArindhaal, starring #Ajith, and talks about his love for cop stories (including Kaakha Kaakha, starring Suriya, and Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, starring Kamal Haasan). He says the three films -- the three characters -- are a continuum. He talks about how Ajith never asked him to tweak the script to make it more heroic. He reveals that Anushka's role wasn't originally something he wanted. He talks about why he opted out of Dasavatharam.
He talks about collaborating with Shridhar Raghavan and Thiagarajan Kumararaja, during the writing process. He talks about the Moondru Mugam influence. He talks about voiceovers. He talks about the dead wives/lovers in his films. He talks about his inability to write 'bad' fathers. He discusses his love for journeys (also in Vaaranam Aayiram). He talks about not going beyond the first draft. And he speaks about Harris Jayaraj, Thamarai, and the Unkannenna Venum Sollu song. #Trisha #Anushka
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The Film Companion is a web channel intended to promote Indian cinema through films review, interviews, discussions, video essays and analytical compilations. It is intended primarily for the purpose of encouraging informed discussions, criticism and review of cinema and towards such purpose the programs use short extracts of cinematograph films, sounds recording and photographic works. These clips and extracts are of a minimal nature and the use is not intended to interfere in any manner with their commercial exploitation of the compete work by the owners of the copyright. The use of works are in compliance with the fair dealing exception provided under Sec. 52 of the Copyright Act, and we asset our use of the works under the exception provided for criticism and review.

[@MrCoolbuddy1987]

And IMO more than Mankatha, Yennai Arindhaal is the best film of Ajith in last decade (though NKP is a much needed film it can't be called an Ajith film per se). It is good that a star like Ajith submitted himself to the director and thanks Gautham for registering this fact in many interviews.

[@user-ns9cx8ql1w]

100%%❤❤❤❤❤

[@SZSiva]

You know how much GVM loves his father with just the way of him explaining how he cannot write negative father character ❤ 😢

[@HariKrishnanHTR]

Baradwaj Rangan is the gold standard when it comes to Interviews ..This interview is a testimony of how brilliant and insightful an interview can be..Stay awesome Mr. Rangan

[@b0rangan]

Thank you, sir.

[@VinodKumar-xb5ud]

Everyone has to appreciate the fact that GVM speaks his heart out.. why something worked and few things didn't.. gem of a person 👏🙏

[@b0rangan]

Yes, he is very frank about his films, and I enjoy these conversations...

[@sagarrk7241]

I don't know why the hell producers are forcing directors to add characters and remove them................it really affects the creativity of directors...its happy to hear ajith cooperated wellwith GVM

[@sagotharan]

Same way i felt sad about Kamal

[@reduxboi.8586]

@@sagotharan why?

[@eraianbu2814]

If Ajith has to accept an interview once in fr all.. it should be with BR...

[@sriramgopalan5196]

💯

[@WycliffStudios]

Imagine Blue Shirt interview with all the leading actors lol

[@loubloom8370]

Or the sudarshan

[@Anonymous-zw8kx]

@@WycliffStudios it would not be educating but would be funny as hell lmao

[@akashs1317]

Ajith has a very good English accent ❤️

[@JyotsnaRamachandran]

Thank you professor Baradhwaj. I feel like a student of filmmaking when I watch your interviews and your guests are great case studies to learn from! I would not mind paying if you create an online course :)

[@b0rangan]

Haha. Thanks. I always ask my editor when we sit down to edit, "Romba class nadathura maadhiri irukkaa?"? :-D :-D

[@blackstudios3889]

Jyotsna Ramachandran kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpKskqKkebGAaqc

[@shashanktheoverthinker]

Baradwaj Rangan I'm a fan of your's from Karnataka, I wanted u to ask two questions 1. Has film companion confined u to only interview and review Tamil movies? 2. I'm waiting for the day where there will be let's talk movies between you and anupama Chopra . Sir please do that. Can it happen?

[@b0rangan]

Because I am Chennai-based, I end up doing mostly Tamil. Hemanth does Telugu. Vivek does Malayalam. Shiva does Kannada. It's difficult to find good people, so we are slowly inching towards what we want to do with Southern cinema.

[@shashanktheoverthinker]

Baradwaj Rangan sir thanks for your reply , what you said is absolutely true, but I'm also waiting for proper reviews and interviews from kannada films which is not at all available to get anywhere, and I was expecting many interviews from @film companion south but only one interview with Ananth nag sir was done and none other. I was disappointed by this. But I've high hopes from you sir ,I'll be always waiting for your interviews ,keep up the great work sir.

[@unnaipol]

In recent times i think Yennai Arindhal is better ajith film than others

[@TheHolyEmerald]

Of course... People will only make masala movies and Siruthai Siva movies hit.

[@gokulviswanathanr6172]

Yes my favourite too

[@sivasankaran891]

Yennai arindhal -best of thala .viswasam commercial film with over sentiments .

[@abdulsalphan]

Would it be bad here to mention vivegam to be a good movie skipping the Dam fall scene!

[@wishvakrish3583]

ABDUL SALPHAN I can understand bro I wonder what the hell the editor was doing at the that time

[@mohamedfasil1917]

40 minutes of happiness which made me to feel what master GVM is... Bharathwaj rangan your way of analyzing in depth film appreciation

[@Rey_B]

Everything about Ennai Arinthaal is supreme 🔥🔥

[@purpleapple8255]

Now this is a classic example of how an interview should be presented to the audience on a social platform. Clean and crisp not for the language but for its content. Good job!!

[@abrahamnewton2895]

This is what I was expecting from FC Semma conversation with GVM👌

[@b0rangan]

Thank you.

[@aparnathiyagarajan5015]

That mother's day scene literally made me cry while watching it still now. Nobody can replace mother's place particularly for a girl child and Esha in this movie who already know who her mother is and she lived with her mother when she came into the hands of Satyadev she felt him as her teacher and father that's quite normal or easy to accept as the girls didn't know who her father and whats the father's love would be but when she accepted him as her mother here is the soul of the movie and the character Satyadev stands in my heart. For a child particularly a girl even another woman itself can't replace her mother's place but being a man he replaced it. She felt the warmth of her mother from him. What a wonderful characterization of Satyadev. What a wonderful person you are Mr.Gautham Vasudev Menon to write such a character nobody can imagine and have guts to write ✍️.. so proud of you always. This movie gave me a strong belief that there are men with wonderful values. what a man you are Mr.Gautham Vasudev Menon... Your parents are so blessed and will be proud of you always....

[@balzize]

You gotta give it to GVM for speaking his mind, the connect between his thoughts and intentions of giving an absolutely transparent interview.

[@surendharr9253]

I love voice overs in gvm movies.... im addicted to it n i follow it in my day today happenings...now a days it makes me loose my presence of my mind.

[@minfazkalaam9670]

9:25 that was a hit for Atlee

[@sukanya_ln]

what a discussion this is!! i loved the part of "unakkena venum sollu " part of the conversation. i love GVM's portrayal of women.

[@bunny8759]

The concept of the 60 year old cop returning for a one last case before retirement and the case that turns out to be very big has been already used in David fincher's se7en

[@vanannavarasan4522]

Surya Sarat Pvs Rey True

[@gokulnath123456]

As always, great questions BR, I loved the question of an idealistic father being repeated.. I like to answer for him, his movies were a great inspiration for me where I didn't have a good father but I learnt how I could be as a boy, man, father, friend through his movies.. Thank you GVM..

[@b0rangan]

Thank you for sharing that.

[@songversationswithadi1200]

Love the last bit where the interviewer and the interviewed share their camaraderie and past conversations...so off hand.. almost like a screenplay touch! BR, killing with these interviews!

[@b0rangan]

Thank you :-)

[@yuvashreeharidoss7496]

I love Gautham's humility and unashamed candor

[@rajeshlemuria6279]

And that's once again a good interaction session #BR-GVM !! Being my life's motivating film I request both gentleman's to make same kind of decoding session on #Varnaam Aayiraam !!

[@b0rangan]

Yes, hopefully...

[@anudeep3237]

GVM is the best director... The Characters in the movie are very much related to everyone. Mainly the voice overs are outstanding ....

[@kartiknaik117]

Thanks Baradhwaj for doing this interview with GVM and too much decoding session on Yennai Arindhaal is a pop of a cherry on the cake. Pleasant, relevant and Productive conversation!

[@ramhbk]

Baradwaj Rangan - Sir... This is a very very beautful interview. Lovely conversation. 👏👏👏👏👏 I never watch KZbin videos which is more than 4 or 5 minutes. But I watched the entire video. Hats off. Just keep the vids comin 👍

[@ramhbk]

I will just say this to the ppl who says Yennai Arindhaal is an average film or a mediocre. I asked some of my colleagues / friends ( who are not from Tamil Nadu) to watch dis film. They really liked it and said like the songs are superb. So if u forget Kaakha Kaakha, Vetaiyaadu Vilayaadu and just watch Yennai Arindhaal, then Yennai Arindhaal is a beautiful film.

[@gokulviswanathanr6172]

Yeah yennai arindhaal is a classic❤❤❤

[@PraveenKumar-cj4mu]

@@gokulviswanathanr6172 the movie sucks

[@13jhelum]

I liked Yennai Arindhal more than Vettaiyadu Velayadu . Vettaiyadu Velayadu was a very good movie in the first half but the second half is where the movie got ruined .

[@arjunnatarajan7359]

That way gvm shows the hero or heroine that style touch is something classy and memorable..that's why he has star values...

[@jessicaalphonsina1096]

I liked that question about middle path heroine.. bravo !! I always wondered why is all GVM movies showcase women very feminine and not bold, loud or outgoing (like manirathnam) yet vulnerable. .

[@sudharsans3791]

Problem I have with GVM's movies is the climax which doesn't do justice at all. When you mount movies on such large scale, I at least expect an intelligent climax. In a lot of his interviews, i have seen GVM saying that he will leave the climax open in the script writing process. It all fits.

[@anandrkashyab]

BR, I am ardent watcher of many interviews by many people. But I must say this is the first time I see someone slice and dice a film and the guest in very interesting angles that when we hear you asking, we'd be like, 'oh yeah, that's a good question' and then there is a feeling of contentment when the interview is over. You are doing great and probably becoming the best in class. You will be remembered for a long time as a trendsetter for movie related interviews.

[@b0rangan]

Anand Ramanan Thank you so much 😀

[@harryharron18]

About Ajith on May 1st. Thank you so much.

[@sirjohnpiraan1662]

You forget that besides Suriya, Jeevan is the one that really made the film! (kaaka kaaka)

[@wolverineiscool7161]

you forget that jeevan was voiced by gvm

[@raghurampb]

Gautam made sure it's not an interview... This was a good conversation

[@kaleeswarranperiyannan4285]

You are awesome Bardwaj Rangan sir...your questions are like more precise to the core ... another good video from your team

[@VinodRahul]

Gosh, RACE would have been the bestest remake in tamil with #Thala doing the dual roles, we missed it people :(

[@Ragav_Prajapati_338]

We need another interview with him regarding the writing of " Neethane en ponvasantham " movie ♥️💖

[@vradhika9371]

Menon sir ...I m a fan of ur movies/ ur style of movies .... u r doing a good job ....pls dnt change for anyone .... u remind me of the great director rmr. Mahendran who was very firm abt his style and his conviction

[@sagotharan]

For refuse Ad film like SOFT DRINGS.. Big salute SIR.. your heart is pure. 😊

[@sivasankaran891]

BR is the most sensible interviewer ,I have ever seen .hatsoff sir ,way to go.

[@LaughingBuddhArul]

Yennai Arindhaal my Favourite ❤

[@randomjinx1001]

After this interview, Gowtham will change the way he screenplay in some way.. Damn Sure... Pointing out each and every feels and mood of the films

[@urbaniteurbanizer1612]

One of the best interviews of GVM. Thanks BR!

[@vradhika9371]

I like ur honest words , which needs boldness....great sir ❤

[@thernmozhirajalingam]

i think i am the only one understands yennai arindhal when watching it first time the same way GVM explains.. anyone with me?

[@ramakrishnan1896]

As films with Siva such as Veeram, Vedhalam and Vivegam (Atleast there is that 'something' is there), there is this one Thala Ajith Film where we can have a discussion with the director for more than 30+ mins.. Great work BRangan sir.. Keep continuing. I would like you to bring up many greater interviews in the future

[@i-teach-math]

At the end. Respect. Mutual.

[@Arafathzchannel]

Pleasant throwback interview which still looks fresh , Thanks FC south

[@sagiraj3603]

Such an honest interview!

[@kevin88fern]

As always BR interviews are just too good. Especially if it has GVM. Still remember that interview you did with him about VTV. That was a classic interview. As far as GVM, he is one director whom you could keep listening forever. But their's a caveat there. He is the Modi of Tamil cinema. Wonderful speaker, but there's a small issue of shifting stands and opinions. If you happened to have time, just go on a binge watching of his old interviews and then compare it to some of his recent. There be so much contradictions in it that you be confused which of him is telling the truth.

[@sathyan.d]

Kevin Fernandes so true. An example is that there have been interviews where he has said he will never work with Maddy again. And now in the multistarrer, Maddy is one of the protagonists.

[@saiashwin26]

He also has many issues with producers and when he is the producer, he has issues with the director

[@srajamani1224]

Kevin Fernandes kzbin.info/www/bejne/jn7FhIuPr8eIrMk

[@anujoseph_10]

@iceblast25 Totally!!

[@harmony1211]

I must say your interviews are so amazing to watch and thanks for really having a very candid conversation with Gautham Menon sir. I have seen some of his films you talked about in this interview.He is very honest and organic about his films which I love! I look forward seeing your next interview!

[@MrCoolbuddy1987]

A filmmaker who doesn't cares about what audience will think and make "adjustments" for that and just does what comes to him and what he feels is right is a true creator despite the fact that you like his creations or not. That's what makes GVM way taller than many other filmmakers out there. I think BR knows this well and that's why he keeps making long interviews with GVM.

[@guccindersingh2045]

I did feel in some parts that kamal sir wasnt in mood ! Guess gvm and me connect some where 😂😂😂

[@rickdalton2412]

guccinder singh kamal sir wasnt mood?

[@guccindersingh2045]

Wingardium leviosa in the movie!

[@rickdalton2412]

guccinder singh yeah.. Cause he has done something way too bigger than these and Vettaiyadu Villayadu was a peice of cake for him

[@ashwinash4198]

always nice to see Baradhwaj interview.. The excitement in asking questions is so lovable to watch. Like the way small scenes from movies are recollected and brought into the conversation. Keep rocking Sir :-)

[@herohero9924]

18:41 What an intelligent question it was !

[@bharathdeleep8642]

11:43 Malayalam movie villain starring lal sir is having some sort of a similar plot😉

[@deenapriya3011]

Thanks Bharath sir for past 5 days i have been seeing all of ur interviews and i promise that definitely i will make u proud a day ( very soon)when i m in big stage. ❤️😊

[@santoshraghavan7662]

loved the way he said kamala hassan .. reminds me of my house where all family members call him that

[@anoop1561]

I love this segment. Got to know what goes through a director's head and BR extracts every bit of it. One of Ajith's best movies. The soul of the movie is what worked for me as well.

[@b0rangan]

Yeah, I too like this film quite a bit. Yes, it has some problems, but overall, I think it's one of Ajith's better films.

[@13jhelum]

@@b0rangan although my favorite Ajith movie is still Varalaru.

[@urbaniteurbanizer1612]

Bravo BR! If only other Tamil entertainment reporters could ask such penetrating and intelligent questions like you!

[@ambikayerraganti832]

Hi sir I am u r big fan.I like the way u r making films.u r the one who respects women in u r films.this film I watched it 20times.

[@samzero00james]

I am turning out to be a BR fan now. Very sensible and very gentle. Keep going sir👌👏

[@johnnyhollywood1179]

9:45 Me during early morning 8am lectures

[@sngan8481]

2:10 about thala ajith

[@Locomente]

Now this is 41minutes well spent. Value add for both movie addicts and those who want to understand the nuances of film making. Please keep doing more such great work. Just one thought I had - Jessie's father was not perfect right? He was egoistic, stubborn and not very empathetic. So the statement by Gautham Menon that he can't make a dad bad is not that true. One request - can you please do such an interview for Minnale and release on June 1st. There are two reasons - that's actor Madhavan's birthday. But most importantly I want to know what convinced a writer like Gautham Menon to write a story where the hero fakes his identity. Heroin gets to know that and still agrees to live with him. I mean I am a big fan of the movie. But I also want to understand from writing and envision perspective. Please sir! Please FC

[@kowthamkumark]

AK 2:10 | 3:45 | 4:30 | 34:50 GVM Thug Life 09:25 The Shawshank Redemption 25:10 Mani Ratnam 39:10

[@ajitprasadmahato2089]

I really want him to completely dhruv nachitram with Vikram

[@sanjeevravishankar7274]

Agree it is Ajiths birthday...But the interview could have included info about Nargasooran Fiasco, Issues with Karthik Naren and Any information on Reunion with Suriya(because both of them give their best when they are together)

[@deadshot3142]

i think this interview is more abt his films ,just like last one aboout vtv,also i think that baradwaj never asks personal questions!

[@sanjeevravishankar7274]

Suraj Sekhar Bro agreed it's about a particular movie!! But my question is why do u want to have a 40 minute discussion about one particular movie and that too the most mediocre one of GVM?? Ask him more about DN,ENPT and other stuffs

[@b0rangan]

Because this series is called ONE FILM ONE FACET, and the idea itself is to do a deep-dive into ONE film. Like the earlier one was about VTV. Like the one about AVAL. Like the one about the production of MERSAL. I respect that the film (or maybe this interview) did not work for you -- but this is the whole concept behind this series.

[@deekshithar572]

Wow....so many layers and details...lovely

[@praveens8124]

He could have been the next Mani Ratnam, but he hasn't explored much... Roja changed Mani Ratnam and took him international! Wish he could do the same!

[@arnoldmathews8785]

Gvm....😍😍 thankuu... Baradwaj Rangan for this fascinating conversation

[@prakashr5199]

TK........ 👽👽💓💓

[@rickdalton2412]

We need another Vettaiyadu Villayadu with Kamal sir and Harris again

[@samspurgen4719]

GVM : imagine a 60 year old cop like mohanlal sir who is about to retire but investigates after retirement with his instincts Anna se7en story solran na

[@mydom96]

Rofl.

[@vijayfya]

se7en is the last week of the detectives job.

[@13jhelum]

It is like Joseph movie

[@akileshs6791]

Adha vellai pookul irukae Vivek nadichadhu

[@lemongeezer1157]

This is a stupid comment. Se7en is not based on Somerset alone. There is an another character and the film is about how these two characters make collective efforts to apprehend a criminal. In your sense, are you telling me Kaka Kaka is more like Se7en too because both Vikram and Brad pitt play characters that are new cops (or new cop to that precinct in the case of se7en). Besides, gvm was talking hypothetically about how this trilogy can continue entirely with another cop as the MAIN CHARACTER at the end of his career. How do you shrink the vast plot of Se7en into just a detective on the last week of his job?

[@shanmukanalli7009]

Insightful Conversation... Showcasing his instintive style and focus on character exploration which are interwoven in his film making process.

[@b0rangan]

Thanks :-)

[@blackstudios3889]

Shanmuka Nalli kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpKskqKkebGAaqc

[@venky28498theboss]

Great interview!

[@kingintheact]

Who is here after watching ENPT with your grandchildren?

[@maheshdevanh8728]

Wat an interview 😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@johndavid9154]

MOHANLAL GAUTHAM COMBO..MARANA WAITING

[@kevin88fern]

John David but didn't Mohanlal already did the concept GVM was talking about in his recent movie Villain

[@johndavid9154]

Well, Kevin though the concept of the movie is similar it was not executed properly and the movie (Villian) was a commercial failure. When GVM does it am sure there are lot more of possibilities he is going to explore and the scale of the movie itself is going to change which makes it more special.

[@SohailKhan-mt5jc]

With thalapathy too😍😍😭😭

[@thejuthankachan3692]

Goosebumps when GVM spoke about MOHANLAL sir.😎

[@udhaysankar419]

Lovely interview. Great questions.

[@sarahmatthews7614]

the gautham is so charming

[@bharathdeleep8642]

Another excellent interview from bharadwaj rangan sir❤️

[@muthuGowriShankar]

He uses more *stuffs* 🤣🤣🤣

[@arsiva1880]

Muthu gowrishankar - yeah he has got stuff with him

[@shahin6663]

Kinda promoting uraiyadals and stuff.

[@blessenpaul659]

totally🤣🤣🤣

[@umaranipthulasingam1507]

Superb

[@anandmanohar]

Great interview BR. Just wish you had asked him more about why none of his work comes out on time.

[@rajeshbkrish0496]

GVM accepted it long back that he has used voice overs extensively in ENPT, having a confindence that its gonna work great. Guess he never had a second thought it might back fire with memes and trolls. Despite he himself enacting his voice over in 26:00 of this video, which was so obvious it wasnt good 😂

[@bhaskaran2126]

But as a director he can't say film won't work before it's release,he has to market his film.

[@arunmanutd]

Thank you Film Companion South !!

[@thektmwanderer3274]

best interview

[@rishydev2107]

Excellent discussion !!

[@ambatimanus3295]

And that's Gowtam Menon

[@nehachalluru1493]

Did you know gautham menons scrrpt is related to the incidents he's connected , faced or seen too 🥰🥰🥰😍🥰😁😁😁😀😀😀😀😀 his puts his character / personality in scripts

[@milha-t4q]

‘Autobiographical’ is what you call it Yes indeed, they are

[@shabarikailash]

Great interview baddy

[@deeptisrivatsan]

Good, candid interview. Though GVM tried to be diplomatic he hasn’t held back much. Honestly i am surprised Kamal wasnt too interested in VV and sleepwalked thru the role - that’s the brilliance of the actor that he is. BR also kept the questions classy and didn’t try to discuss crap movies like Nadunisi naaigal

[@Mallu_shorts_]

When did you shoot this interview ? 2 years ago? 🤔

[@Monkwhispers]

Love you Gowtham!!

[@gokulviswanathanr6172]

Waiting for another thala GVM combo with ARR 😎😎😎

[@Ajay-xb8ti]

My favorite

[@sriramganesan5194]

Good interview BR, as always. How do film's journey take more or less time? Should the economics of a film demand the creation within a certain time-frame and release at a proposed year/month? So many good movies see delays and I feel that adds to loss of interest.

[@sudhakarthikeyan]

There are movues made aleadt on thus vasis and clucked nice nga

[@maheshkmr07]

GVM + Thala Ajith + AR Rehman = Dream come true