Venkat Prabhu: ‘There are no political references in GOAT’

Simple. This is a pan-Indian film, and it gets tough to use the right trending hashtags in each language. Here, it is a trendy title, and the right name provides us with the perfect start for a big-ticket film like GOAT. I think it is a necessity now. 

Here’s the trailer of GOAT

On using ‘Marudhamalai maamaniye’ song, and its implied political connotations

It is not a political reference. It is a Ghilli reference. Hope you have all seen the film. Also, why didn’t you ask the makers of Ghilli about using Lord Murugan as a political tool? This is not political, this is ‘Ghilli-tical’.

On not using ‘Marudhamalai Maamaniye’ song in the Telugu and Hindi trailers

Again, it is nothing to do with politics, but all to do with understanding popular culture. Ghilli is a pop culture phenomenon in Tamil cinema. It isn’t the same in Hindi and Telugu cinema. So we used a portion of Vijay sir humming the Mission Impossible theme. Yes, Mission Impossible is a big thing in Tamil too, but Ghilli is bigger, right? 

ALSO READ: The Greatest of All Time trailer: ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay proves why he’s the GOAT with high-stakes action-thriller

On de-aging, damaging trolling, and reworking the de-aging 

Of course, we took the feedback that we received from the posters and “Spark” song. When we initially planned the role as a 22-23 year-old, Vijay sir said that we should be careful on making the character look like him. The main aspect to work on is the jawline of a person. Also, Vijay sir is a face known to everyone, and it takes time getting used to a new look. But nevertheless, it was a lesson for us too. We then didn’t want to experiment too much with the looks or physical changes. In fact, it is this rework that delayed the trailer release too.  

On Vijay’s responses for GOAT 

Vijay sir has seen the film through every stage of its development. Even in this trailer, he has seen the non-CGI version, the rough music version, etc… He is very happy about the process. He has seen the film too. He enjoyed it, and spoke a lot about the film. All I can say is Vijay sir is very happy. I can’t give all the details because what he said was very personal to me. I don’t want to make it public. 

Vijay with Venkat Prabhu during the making of the GOAT first look

On Vijay’s political career impacting the writing and making of GOAT

Vijay sir has never done such things. He didn’t want any line to be written to further his political agenda. GOAT is a commercial film, and not a political film. Of course, some dialogues in the trailer might allude to his political career. But when you see the film, you’ll know how all of these actually fit in perfectly with the narrative. There are no political references in GOAT. Vijay sir sees a film as a film, and most importantly, he knows of my knowledge about politics. We never discuss politics at all. 

On comparisons of GOAT with Gemini Man, and if Vijay is pulling off a Will Smith 

Hmmm, I like the Will Smith film. If you see the trailer for Chennai 600028-2, I’d have narrated the one-liner of the film. It is about a group of friends finding the missing groom. I’d have taken a dig at my own film, and said it is reminiscent of Hangover. But are both films the same? Of course, not. Similarly, Gemini Man and GOAT are not the same films. Just that, Gemini Man was the first film to use de-aging technology, and nothing else. 

On casting Mohan as the villain, and having three top romantic heroes of their times in the same film

Casting Mohan sir as the villain was an interesting choice, because it gave a different shade to his career, and it creates interest too. Vijay sir was very happy with the choice. But just because I have actors like Prashanth sir and Mohan sir in the cast, it is impossible to have romantic songs for the two actors. They are playing different roles, and moreover, this is a Vijay film, right? 

ALSO READ: The Greatest of All Time song Whistle Podu: Thalapathy Vijay and boys are unstoppable in this peppy track

On naming his protagonist Gandhi, and showing him indulge in various vices

I have a friend named Gandhi. Do you know what all he does in real life? I can’t even tell it on the stage. Also, there is just one Mahatma Gandhi, and he is a Mahatma for a reason. You can’t bring up such comparisons at all. 

On the late actor Vijayakanth’s presence in GOAT. 

Considering how Premalatha Vijayakanth ma’am already spoke to the media about us asking them for permission to include Captain, there is no point keeping it as a secret, right. But what he is doing in the film, you will have to wait for a couple of more weeks. 

On his CSK fanboyism, and parallels between MS Dhoni and Vijay

Of course, I am a huge CSK and a Dhoni fan. And yes, we have done a lot in GOAT surrounding these two phenomena. But as a comparison between Vijay sir and MSD, I don’t think I know the latter enough. I have travelled for over a year with Vijay sir while doing GOAT, and there is an understanding of the kind of person he is. If I get to travel for a year with Dhoni on some capacity, then I’d be better equipped to answer this question.

On riding on nostalgia, and using old Vijay films as punchlines and references in GOAT

There are a lot of things that are my individual contributions in GOAT. But for the trailer, and even in the film, there are moments when I have to cater to Vijay sir’s audience in the theatre. I need to give those high theatre moments too. I don’t want to think of creating trends either. I just want to entertain the audience who have come to watch my film. Even in the trailer, I have used a reference from Master. Lokesh Kanagaraj has done a good thing, which is already in everyone’s mind. Why not make use of it? 

On Vijay leaving films for politics 

Just like everyone here, and scores of Vijay fans, I too want to see him in more films. In fact, I asked him if he could balance both, and he just smiled and said, ‘We’ll see.’ It is always our dream to see him on the screen. But he too has a dream. An aspiration. And I think we should support it. 

On references to Ajith-VP’s Mankatha, and the actor’s response to GOAT

Yes, there is a similar dialogue said by Ajith sir in Mankatha, and Vijay sir in GOAT. But that isn’t to appease any section of fans. It is not an Ajith line, it is a Venkat Prabhu dialogue. In Mankatha, Ajith sir said it, and in GOAT, Vijay sir said it. That’s all. 

Moreover Ajith sir saw the trailer, and sent me a message immediately congratulating the team, and Vijay sir. I didn’t want to disturb him because he is currently shooting for his next. 

Ajith and Trisha with Venkat Prabhu

On not showing Trisha, who is reportedly doing a cameo in GOAT, in the trailer

Oh, did we say Trisha is in GOAT. I didn’t know that. I’d be happy if she is in the film, but I don’t know. 

On his family members’ joining Vijay’s political party, TVK

Anyone could join. Premgi could. But more importantly, why should I tell about my family’s thoughts and feelings? Do I ask about your family issues? But anyway, since this is brought up, I will sit with all my family members, take them into confidence, and tell them that you’ve asked such an important question, and we need to discuss it pronto. Then, I will tell all of you what our political plans are. 

On GOAT not being part of VPCU 

Oh… VPCU, you mean, Venkat Prabhu Cinematic Universe. Oh… well, this is a standalone film. A day before the release, I will put out a post saying what films you need to watch to brush up your knowledge (A reference to Lokesh Cinematic Universe, and his post before the release of Vikram).

On who would love this GOAT Biriyani

Everyone who likes biriyani will like this GOAT biriyani. It is not cooked especially for Vijay sir’s fans. It is for everyone. Even vegetarians.