In true Ajith style, no one is talking about this movie called Aasal. Just snippets of eagerly-lapped up info on how the script is an action-thriller never done before, how the locations all over the world are breathtaking, how there are two lovely leading ladies in the movie who are not mere eye-candy and how the sex-appeal of the villains – five of them at least – match any hero’s! Perhaps that’s why Thala has been chosen to fill the large superstar’s shoes...

Talking to director Saran, as Aasal stands on the verge of release, one can observe the same calm he displayed just before shooting commenced. He knows what anticipation his partnership with Ajith creates, but is completely untouched by its pressure. Call it confidence or call it professionalism? “There are two important things about Aasal that we did take into consideration. What Ajith fans expect from a Ajith-Saran combo and what they expect when that combo combines with Sivaji Productions, a production house that has given the super hit Chandramukhi. We had to fulfill these expectations, but at the same time, we drew a boundary for ourselves as well. While we have taken utmost efforts to satisfy Ajith’s diehard fans, we have also made sure that the movie will suit the rest of the audience as well. While the fan is sure to feel the movie was made entirely for him, the rest of the audience will not feel left out either,” reveals the director, who has his finger on the pulse of the Ultimate Star’s loyal fans.

“Ajith is undeniably a mass hero. He knows exactly what his fans would like to see on the screen. That’s why it has been a pleasure to have him contribute towards the dialogues and screenplay,” he adds. Yugi Sethu, the screenwriter, confirms the same, saying, “His part in the script and dialogues has been invaluable. Ajith is fully in sync with the cravings of his fans, while Saran is great at improvising things on the spot. The three of us worked on the script together. I believe this is the first time Ajith’s name will appear in the writers’ category, and that makes us writers all the more proud of our craft. If it were not an important facet of the movie, why would he associate himself with it?”

“We have taken utmost care to give the movie a very stylish look. Billa set a standard of putting out an urban, stylish movie that also appealed to the general masses and we are not just living up to it, but we have given our best effort to better it,” asserts Saran. “Watching Aasal being made and looking at the rushes, I had a feeling of coming of age. Tamil cinema has moved on to another level . There must be no turning back. The only way is forward,” sums up Yugi.

Thus muses Ajith: “There are so many stories that crop up all around a movie when the rumour mill doesn’t have any info to churn out! ‘Aasal is a remake of Payback’ Or, ‘Ajith wanted a prequel to Billa and this is what Aasal is all about’ or whatever else. Perhaps they believe it builds more anticipation. Or perhaps they just want to be the stars of their dinner-table conversations with scoop that is perhaps just a smidgen of an idea built into a tale. Never mind - they can all have their fun. I, on the other hand, still believe in keeping things mysterious and something to await eagerly in the dark. The movie experience should, after all, be fresh and a revelation!’’

Click here for Aasal songs