Shoot At Site: Atharvaa, Kayadu and gang light up the set with friendship, love and laughter

Idhayam Murali , directed by Aakash Baskaran, has love as its pulse and friendship as its backbone. Featuring an ensemble cast led by Atharvaa, Kayadu Lohar and Preity Mukhundhan, the film’s team tells us that the joyful atmosphere of the set mirrors the spirit of the film.

The film is about the love story of an old soul: Atharvaa MuraliIdhayam Murali is one of my favourite titles and is very special to me. It’s a very fun-loving and light-hearted film. Idhayam (the 1991 film starring Atharvaa’s dad, Murali) is an iconic, hard-hitting love story. Today, though the definition of love might have changed, the emotion and feeling in itself is pretty much the same as it used to be back then. The film is about the love story of an old soul. It’s been fun working with every single person from this team.

I play Amudha, an innocent and introverted girl: Kayadu LoharIdhayam Murali was the first Tamil film that I signed. So, it’s close to my heart. It shows the different phases of love a person goes through. I play Amudha, an innocent, introverted girl who, when the time arises, will stand up for her friends. I kept fighting with Aakash, asking that I be given the other female character and not Amudha. Later, I understood that this was the right role for me. I enjoyed playing Amudha, and I’d love to have a friend like her in my life. Working with Atharvaa was fun. I hope I get to work with him again.

FaFa plays a jolly character, who will appear throughout Idhayam Murali: Aakash Baskaran

I don’t believe in having a cameo or special appeal just for the sake of it. I’ve always believed that characters should feel naturally integrated into the world of the film. And FaFa isn't someone who accepts cameos. We had many meetings and only after being convinced by the script and the role, along with the fresh team, did he agree to come on board. His role, a jolly character, will appear throughout the film; it's a special one, something that he hasn't attempted before. He shares screen space with everyone (the principal cast). We're currently shooting his portions in Chennai, and will continue next week in Hyderabad.

Taking the decision to act again was tough, but I fell for the script: Thaman S

I thought I’d ended my acting journey with Boys and focused fully on music. So, to take the decision to act again was tough. But when Aakash, who’s a great friend, showed me the script, I fell for it. So, I’m happy to be back as an actor in Idhayam Murali , for which I’m also scoring the music. I’ve become good friends with Atharvaa, Dravid and Rakshan. Shooting for the film was like being on a holiday. There wasn’t any tension. Also, the technical crew is very strong.

Both on and offscreen, we are having a lot of fun: VJ Angelin

Since the film is about five friends (she plays the character Priya) and their journey, over the course of the shoot, we’ve all become a gang. After we get ready, all of us will be in the same caravan. The set atmosphere is light-hearted, and both on and offscreen, we are having a lot of fun.

I was given creative freedom during the shoot: Dravid SelvamIdhayam Murali is where it all started for me, as I did Dude after this film. So, it’s a journey I can’t ever forget in my life. For one-and-a-half years, all of us have been travelling together. We celebrated all artistes’ birthdays and important functions together during this period. We’re going to miss this set once the shoot is done. That’s how close we have become. Once the New York schedule began, we grew even closer, as it was a smaller crew there. I was given creative freedom during the shoot.

Atharvaa and I gelled very well within one or two days of the shoot: RakshanPlaying my character, Prabhu, is fun. The film out-and-out revolves around love but also explores friendship. We shot in several exotic locations, including New York’s Times Square. Atharvaa and I gelled very well within a few days of the shoot. He will be extremely charming in the film.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”