‘Champion will help youngsters chase their dreams’

The hero of the film Vishwa and the heroine of the film Soumika Pandiyan were first to arrive with Narain following them. Manoj Bharathiraja and composer Arrol Corelli, arrived later after finishing their promotional rounds for the day. As the recorders rolled, Manoj who was reminiscing about his debut film Taj Mahal (1999) stops us immediately and says, “I am one of the youngest team members of this movie team after Vishwaand Narain.”

As we look at each other, Manoj says, “Champion as we all know revolves around footballer from north Chennai, his dreams, his frustrations, his angst, his love and his family. The story will talk about people who are prevented from pursuing theirdreams. In this film Vishwa represents them.” Narain says that the film is a detailed account of a neighbourhood in north Chennai that comes as a roadblock for a youngster’s dream. “It is not a mere film that one forgets about after coming out of the theatres. Champion will certainly create an impact among the audience and will make them think. At the same time, the film will not be preachy,” he says.

Playing a footballer wasn’t a cakewalk for Vishwa. “To be launched by Susienthiran sir is one of the best things that could happen for an actor. To play this role, I practised the game every day in Puzhal with aspiring footballers from north Chennai and the person who coached me was Shanthakumar, a real-life football coach. In the film it is Narain, who reprises his role,” says the actor. Soumika Pandiyan says that she is privileged to play the heroine in a Susienthiran film.

“The film tracks the life of a man from his childhood. I play his school-day love. I support him whenever he sulks and cheer him up. Susienthiran sir’s heroines have always stood out in Tamil cinema. They are not mere props and justify their presence in a film. That way I have a substantial role in Champion. On the release of the film’s trailer a few days ago, Arrol Corelli’s music was the talking point.

He says that composers nowadays have a free hand when it comes to recording the background scores. “The songs in Champion too will be a part of the narrative. My music pattern just like the film, will convey different stages in a man’s life,” he concludes as the team poses for photos and continues with their promotional spree.