Director Jai just has released his first movie Andhra Mess and it is being well received by the audience.
Here’s what Jai says about his experiences and the challenges he faced in the making of Andhra Mess.
Here we go…
Hey Jai, we know you are a debutant director. Tell us about your background in the cinema industry. What got you here?
After completing my graduation in Viscom, fascinated by the idea of narrating a story in just 30 seconds I joined an advertising agency and was into ad film making for a while. The experience in the ad film industry gave me huge insights.
However, boredom and monotony propelled me towards film making. It was at this time that I met Nirmal who was running an ad agency and was also planning to produce a movie.
Since we had commonality of ideas, we decided to team up, and the end product is “Andhra Mess”.
From where did you get the inspiration for the storyline of Andhra Mess? We see similarities of a few films from the past.
Lot of reviews and reviewers are comparing this movie with Aaranya Kaandam, Soodhu kavvum and the likes, but to be frank I didn’t get inspired by these classics. It just happened.
If this movie resembles other films then it is purely coincidental.
Why did you go with this genre for your debutant release? Any specific reasons?
No specific reasons. When we started filming it in 2014-15 there was this heist genre which was hugely popular and after the success of soodhu kavvum and sathuranga vettai and we chose this genre for business reasons.. That’s about it.
How did you come up with choosing the cast that fits?
Actually when I wrote the script I had a different casting in my mind. But then I realised that casting a known star is not that easy for the kind of budget we had.
So we took a bold decision and went with newcomers and it paid off well. Actually in a way it helped me. I was able to extract what I wanted.
What are the challenges you faced with Andhra Mess? From writing that story to getting it hit the big screen?
Every filmmaker who is doing his or her first film has to go through lot of difficulties. That is inevitable.
Right from the pre-production to releasing but it’s a cumbersome process. Sometimes you are pushed to a corner and have thoughts of quitting the industry itself.
If you start enjoying the process it will be an interesting journey. Its almost like giving birth to a baby.
The stories happening outside the movie-making and the process of releasing it itself is a potential script.
What do you like the most about Andhra Mess? And what do you dislike?
Liked – The Making
Disliked – Could have worked better on the screenplay
Do you have one (or more) memorable moments during the shoot of Andhra Mess?
The whole process of making and releasing this movie is memorable and unforgettable.
I am sure you are already working on your next venture! Can we get to know some details about it?
I have completed two scripts one is a psychological thriller and another one is a breezy romantic travel script. Mostly I will be doing the psychological thriller as my next one.
What is your long term goal?
I don’t have such things like goals , aims etc., I am a person who likes to live in the present. And likes to go with the flow.
What’s your expertise that has helped you write and direct your first movie?
Reading. I love reading. Literature played a key role in directing this movie.
What advice do you have for anyone trying to get their “first” out in the tamil cinema industry?
Be true to your creation.
By the way, quite some people are talking about why you named the movie “Andhra Mess”! May we know why?
Its a metophoric tittle. Also the story ends with the main characters settling in their life starting a hotel which is named as Andhra Mess.
Thank you Jai for your time and for sharing your experiences.
I am sure your experiences and suggestions would help aspiring movie makers out there who are waiting to go big 🙂
We wish you all success with your upcoming projects!
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