The director wanted performers who could emote subtly and hence chose the young actors. “When an actor has that sensibility to understand what the filmmaker wants and performs accordingly, it becomes easier to work with them,” she states.

“Kalidas has been doing extremely well in recent times and is proving himself as a versatile actor who can do any kind of role. Right from the beginning, I had him in mind for this role. When we were discussing this script, he mentioned how he bunked college to go and watch Vanakkam Chennai, and that he loved the film. I told him that this film, too, will be in a similar vein, and he immediately said that he wanted to be part of it. This role will be a challenge for him,” she says.

Kiruthiga says that she hasn’t watched Tanya’s films, but was impressed with her performance in a song in Karuppan. “I think she took a small break post that and has come back to acting now. Somebody suggested Tanya for the heroine’s role. I was looking at everyone else, but kept going back to her because I felt she would be perfect for the role. I like very unconventional and relatable heroes and heroines, and I think both my lead actors are that way,” she says.

The supporting cast and the music composer are yet to be finalised, adds Kiruthiga. She has retained cinematographer Richard M Nathan, editor Lawrence Kishore and art director Sakthee Venkatraj, whom she frequently works with, as her crew. “This will be a breezy film like Vanakkam Chennai and since it involves travel, we will be shooting it across many states. It will be a visual treat,” she signs off.