Shoot at Site: Gautham Ram Karthik, grassroots politics and romance!

Tricolour flags fluttered in the breeze and schoolchildren stood in neat rows as an Independence Day celebration unfolded on the sets of Bloody Politics in Tharamani. The sequence being filmed featured the protagonist hoisting the national flag at a local school — just another day in the life of a politician.

“Bloody Politics is a political satire. Today, we are shooting a scene where the hero, a politician, attends an Independence Day function and hoists the national flag at a school in his locality,” says director Dhina Raghavan. The film stars Gautham Ram Karthik as Ilaiyaraaja, a young man with political ambitions.

‘A political journey set in Tharamani’

The film is set in a Tharamani slum and revolves around the protagonist's political aspirations and love story. Everything in the film is inspired by incidents from my life or the lives of people around me. I've drawn from those experiences to create a fictional world. I don't think Gautham sir has acted in a film centred on grassroots politics before. The world of the film was new to him. Though it's a satire, there is a strong emotional core. Selvaraghavan sir plays Gnanavel, an area councillor who is Ilaiyaraaja's political mentor. — Dhina Raghavan, director

‘I haven't done a film this rooted before’

My character has a political dream, and the story follows his journey towards achieving it. The director has drawn from several real-life incidents while shaping the character. The film deals with serious issues, but it also has sentiment, emotion, comedy and action. I haven't acted in a film this grounded and rooted before. It's also a young and enthusiastic team, which keeps the atmosphere on set very lively
— Gautham Ram Karthik, who plays Ilaiyaraaja

‘The team made me feel comfortable’

My character shares the same neighbourhood as the protagonist and works in the IT sector. The team had seen my performance in Dark and approached me for this film. This is my second project. Everything was new to me, but Gautham sir was very sweet and encouraging. Even when I made mistakes, he remained calm and supportive. The entire team is hardworking, friendly and welcoming.
— Anchana Nethrun, who plays Vaishnavi

Gautham on working with Selvaraghavan Selvaraghavan sir and I had earlier tried to collaborate as director and actor, but it didn't work out. Watching him perform was fascinating. Having directed actors for so many years, he acts with remarkable ease and instinct.



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