Director Balaji Tharaneetharan Discusses Vijay Sethupathi’s ‘Baththa’ and Recreating 1980s North Madras

In anticipation of the release of ‘Baththa’, director Balaji Tharaneetharan has opened up about his experiences in crafting the film, which stars acclaimed actor Vijay Sethupathi. The movie, set in North Madras during the 1980s, promises to deliver a nuanced portrayal of a local gangster, going beyond traditional action tropes to delve deeper into the character’s humanity.

Background and Career Trajectory

Balaji Tharaneetharan first garnered attention with his debut feature film, Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom, in 2012, which was met with critical acclaim. Following its success, he began work on his next project, Seethakaathi, but paused it in favor of Oru Pakka Kathai in 2014. Eventually, Seethakaathi was released in 2018, while Oru Pakka Kathai faced significant delays, ultimately debuting on streaming platforms in 2020 due to financial constraints.

After an extended hiatus from directing films, Tharaneetharan is set to bring Baththa to theaters on October 1, marking a significant return for the filmmaker. Reflecting on the long wait, he stated there was no singular reason behind the delay, mentioning that he took time off during the COVID-19 pandemic to focus on family and struggled with writing scripts amid those distractions. “I worked on the dialogues for Tughlaq Durbar, and then I took some time off. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I had to spend time with my children, and I didn’t have time to write scripts,” Tharaneetharan explained.

Exploring Themes in ‘Baththa’

Baththa explores the life of a gangster, yet Balaji emphasizes that it is not a conventional gangster film. “It’s a drama about the human being within this don. Another character prevents us from seeing Baththa as the person he is and makes us see him as the gangster that he appears to be,” he elaborated. Balaji drew inspiration from events and individuals from his childhood spent in Triplicane, stating that the neighborhood profoundly shaped his worldview, which in turn influenced the narrative of Baththa.

Setting and Authenticity

Recreating the 1980s milieu of North Madras was a fulfilling endeavor for Balaji. He remarked, “I was born in the ‘80s, and so that period is very personal to me. That was also my golden period.” He highlighted the contribution of art director T Muthuraj in actualizing this vision. Interestingly, Balaji sought to depict a lesser-shown aspect of North Madras, focusing on the outskirts like Old Kaladipet rather than typical coastal representations.

Character-Driven Narratives

In an era where filmmakers often incorporate real-life figures into their stories, Balaji resisted the temptation to do so in Baththa. “I was focused only on developing characters based on the people I met at that time,” he clarified, emphasizing a commitment to authenticity over sensationalism.

Collaboration with Vijay Sethupathi

Baththa is Balaji’s third collaboration with Vijay Sethupathi, following Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom and Seethakaathi. The director expressed admiration for Sethupathi’s growth and adaptability as an actor. “He has always been a director-friendly and sensible actor… he knows how to use the space and how to make it a comfortable experience for his co-actors,” Balaji stated, noting how Sethupathi’s thorough grasp of the script enhanced the development of his character.

Technical Aspects and Music

In terms of technical execution, Balaji explored working with fresh talent. For example, he collaborated with cinematographer Selva Kumar SK for the film, whom Balaji praised for his talented vision. Additionally, music is scored by the rising sensation Sai Abhyankkar, with Balaji highlighting the composer’s diverse musical understanding and ability to encapsulate emotions through sound.

Future Projects and Aspirations

While Balaji has completed another screenplay alongside Baththa, he intends to start anew for his next project, having passed the script to a friend for direction. Acknowledging the audience’s eagerness for his films, he lamented, “I understand I have been taking a long time to make films. Even I want to do my next film as soon as I can.”

Conclusion

As fans await the release of Baththa, Balaji Tharaneetharan’s artistic commitment to storytelling and character development remains evident. With a backdrop that aims to capture the essence of 1980s North Madras, the film is set to showcase a rich narrative blending human emotion with the grit of the gangster genre. Audiences can look forward to experiencing Balaji’s unique vision when Baththa hits theaters on October 1.