While Seethakathi’s teaser has left people wondering about the film’s storyline, a lyric video of a song that was released on Friday gives us a few more hints. Titled ‘Avan’, the song raises a number of questions that could be rhetorical. The song also refers to Seethakathi’s literary story - of a philanthropist who gave beyond his grave. Lines like “Oh how wonderful! He dies and dies… and dies… and still gives, Seethakaathi” talks about the legend that is Seethakaathi.
Penned by Madhan Karky and composed by Govind Vasantha, the song has been rendered by Harish Sivaramakrishnan. The strings of veena accompany the lead singer’s vocals.
The song begins with the lines, “Are you a shard of him? Are you a spark of him? Are you his shadow? Or are you him?!” which could mean that someone’s trying to fit into Ayya’s shoes, perhaps after his death? The song only ups the film’s intriguing plot line.
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The film’s first-look poster featured Vijay Sethupathi in an almost unrecognisable avatar, sitting cross-legged on a wooden chair, holding a book in his right hand, looking straight through the frame, lost in deep thought. Wearing a long-sleeved kurta and veshti, his countenance exudes power. The black and white poster itself looks like an old, vintage photograph.
Directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan, Seethakaathi marks Vijay Sethupathi’s second venture with the director. Their last film that came out in 2012, a neo-noir black comedy called Naduvula Konjam Pakatha Kaanum, was a great success and received rave reviews from critics.
The film’s trailer and the clips in this song video hint that the film will be based on the life of a theatre artiste or a movie star who is looked upon as a cult figure. Hollywood technician Kevin Haney has been roped in to design Vijay’s look in Seethakathi.
Seethakathi is being bankrolled by Sudhan Sundaram, Umesh G, Jayaram and Arun Vaidyanathan under the banner Passion Studios. The film is expected to release on December 20.