The audio launch of ‘Mandaadi’ in Chennai turned into a candid, emotional evening as actor Soori spoke at length about the film’s making, its title, and the real-life risks the team took to bring the story to screen. Directed by Mathirmaran, the film stars Soori, Mahima Nambiar and Sugas in key roles, with music composed by GV Prakash Kumar. ‘Mandaadi’ is set to release in theatres on September 10.
Soori credits Vetri Maaran for his journey
Speaking at the event, Soori took a moment to acknowledge filmmaker Vetri Maaran’s role in shaping his career. As reported by News18, he said, “Whatever I have achieved so far, and whatever I achieve from here, the reason is Vetri Maaran. The seed you planted has grown into a tree. Thank you, sir.” He also spoke about the film’s commitment to authenticity over spectacle, noting, “They did not take risks just for the film. They made the risk itself into the film.”
What does ‘Mandaadi’ mean?
Soori also cleared up the confusion around the film’s title, which he admitted had initially left many people puzzled. According to him, the word refers to the person who leads and guides the six-member crew of a boat race team. He recalled, with some amusement, how the team often had to repeat the title multiple times because people kept mispronouncing or misunderstanding it. Reflecting on the response to his performance, Soori said, “They are saying that I have performed well. Hearing that new word itself does something to me.” He also praised GV Prakash Kumar’s music, saying audiences would truly appreciate the effort behind it once the film releases.
Nearly two months shooting at sea
Soori went on to reveal just how demanding the shoot turned out to be, describing a significant departure from the original plan. “The director initially told me that 80 per cent of the film would be shot in a swimming pool and only 20 per cent would be shot in the sea. But we ended up shooting in the sea for two months,” he shared. He spoke about the toll this took on the team, who had to stay away from their families and rely on video calls to stay connected while filming out at sea. He also recalled a lighter moment where Vetri Maaran had joked about how even a film as massive as Titanic relied on controlled sets for several sequences — a contrast to how much time the ‘Mandaadi’ team actually spent in real waters. Confident about the final product, Soori added, “The film has come out well. I am sure you will like it.”
About ‘Mandaadi’
‘Mandaadi’ is a sea sports drama that mainly shot in sea, and the film is set to deliver some high-octane thriller for fans this September.