The teaser of ‘Mandaadi’ has offered audiences a glimpse into a striking world shaped by the sea, fishermen and intense boat races. Directed by Mathimaran, the film stars Soori in the lead and appears to explore a story that goes beyond its large-scale action and sporting elements. With the film set to hit theatres on September 10, the director has now opened up about the idea behind the project, Soori’s preparation, Sathyaraj’s role and the challenges of shooting extensively at sea while talking exclusively with ETimes.
Mathimaran reveals how boat racing inspired the film
For Mathimaran, the first spark for ‘Mandaadi’ came from discovering a traditional form of boat racing that immediately caught his attention. “The first trigger was the sport itself. When I first came across this particular form of boat racing, I was fascinated because I had never seen anything like it before,” he said. However, his research soon took him beyond the sport. “As I started researching and spending time with the fishermen community, I realised that the sport was only the surface. There was a whole world behind it, the sea, their livelihood, their traditions, their relationships and the way the community survives together,” he explained. That experience eventually became the foundation for ‘Mandaadi.’ Mathimaran said he wanted audiences to enter a world that many may not have experienced before. The teaser was designed to leave viewers wondering what exists beneath the world of racing.
Behind Soori’s ‘Mandaadi’ character
The director believes Soori was the right choice for the film because his character goes through a complex emotional journey involving guilt, anger, vulnerability and redemption. Mathimaran revealed that the actor put in considerable effort to prepare for the role. “He trained, worked on the physicality and spent time understanding the community and their way of life. He has completely surrendered to the character,” he said. Mathimaran added, “He never approached it as, ‘I am playing a fisherman.’ He wanted to become that person.” The filmmaker also praised Sathyaraj, whose powerful voice has already become one of the highlights of the teaser. “I needed someone who could carry authority, history and emotional depth just through his presence. Sathyaraj sir has that ability,” he said.
Director Mathimaran on his biggest filmmaking challenge
Shooting the film around the sea brought challenges that could not always be controlled. “When you shoot on land, you can control almost everything. At sea, you can’t. The weather, the waves, the wind and the movement of the boats are constantly changing,” Mathimaran said. Coordinating actors, boats, cameras and action sequences made the boat races particularly difficult. “The boat-racing sequences definitely pushed me beyond my comfort zone,” he admitted. The director said he learned to be patient and flexible because the sea often refused to follow the team’s plans. “You have to be flexible and work with what the sea offers you instead of fighting against it,” he explained.
Mathimaran says emotion comes before scale and spectacle
Despite the film’s large scale, Mathimaran insists that emotion remains at its centre. “For me, scale has no value if there is no emotion behind it,” he said. According to the director, every major action sequence has an emotional purpose, with the team following one approach: “First the character, then the emotion, and then the spectacle.” He also said ‘Mandaadi’ taught him how much planning and patience a bigger vision requires compared with his earlier film ‘Selfie.’ As the September 10 release approaches, Mathimaran hopes audiences will connect with the characters before becoming immersed in the sport. “Ultimately, ‘Mandaadi’ is about second chances—but more importantly, about how difficult it is to earn your redemption,” he said.
About ‘Mandaadi’
‘Mandaadi’ stars Soori, Suhass, and Mahima Nambiar in the lead roles, with Sathyaraj in a key role. Directed by Mathimaran, the film has music composed by GV Prakash Kumar and it’s a sea-based sports drama packed with love, drama, and revenge. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on September 10.
