Shoot at Site: An award-winning teacher, a thiruvizha and an enquiry!

The filming of Kuttram Kadithal 2 was progressing in the misty locales of Kodaikanal when we met the team for an exclusive set visit. After wrapping up the shoot at 3am in the morning, the crew resumed filming after just a five-hour break in between.

And yet, the entire team was in high spirits as they spoke about the film and their involvement in it.There was no better title for the film: JSK Satish Kumar

JSK Satish Kumar, who produced the first film and will be playing the lead and co-writing the screenplay of this one, says, “ Kuttram Kadithal 2 is not a sequel. It’s based on a school teacher’s life, and there was no better title than this one. Initially, we thought of titling the film as Vaathi , but since a film by that name has already come out, we went with this title.

My character, Nallasivam, is about to retire and is honoured with the National Teachers’ Award.

The village, Pallangi, celebrates his win like a thiruvizha , and what happens then will be what the film is about.”None of the actors in the film just come and go: SK JeevaSK Jeeva, who has directed Pudhumai Pithan (1998) and Lovely (2001) and was a writer of Azhagiya Tamizh Magan and Aneethi , will be helming this film. Elaborating on what’s being shot, he says, “We are filming a scene where Nallasivam, who is respected by the whole village, is called for a police enquiry.

We are also planning to shoot in Kodaikanal, Kerala and Nagercoil.”I felt this would be apt for my Tamil re-entry: Keerthi ChawlaFor Keerthi Chawla, Kuttram Kadithal 2 is extra special, as she is making her re-entry in Tamil after more than a decade. She says, “I play Manimekalai, a homely character. Deepak plays my husband. I waited a while to do a film in Tamil, and felt this would be apt for my re-entry in Tamil.”

My character is a family-oriented guy: Deepak DinkarDeepak Dinkar refers to his character as the ‘ mappillai of the house’ and adds, “Viji akka and I were doing another film together, and while we were interacting, she mentioned this film, and that’s how I came on board.

My character owns a bakery and is a family-oriented guy. The film has a good message about life’s values.”I feel a sense of satisfaction acting in this film: Pandiarajan

Actor-director Pandiarajan plays the protagonist’s friend Madhavan. “I initially wondered if I was right for this role, but as each day passes by, I’m being moulded into the character. Every day, after acting in the film, when I sleep at night, I feel a sense of satisfaction and happiness. Usually, I don’t play risky characters.

But this film has a distinctive storyline. JSK is a family friend, and we play friends in the film as well,” he says.Everybody on set is motivating: Lovelyn“I play JSK sir and mom’s second daughter in the film, and I’m paired opposite Manas,” shares Lovelyn Chandrasekhar. “I play a bold character. It’s been such a chill set. Everybody has been motivating and pampering me. And working with my mom is always nice.”I play an innocent and subtle character: Viji Viji Chandrasekhar finds her role in Kuttram Kadithal 2 to be light in comparison to her other roles. “My character is subtle and innocent. Her family is her world. Usually, I play ferocious roles, but this role is as cool as Kodaikanal,” she says. Interestingly, her real-life daughter, Lovelyn, plays her daughter in the film. “It’s helped us bond both on and off screen.”

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