SJ.Suryah hesitant about Jigarthanda Double X

SJ.Suryah hesitant about Jigarthanda Double X. In 2012, Karthik Subbaraj took his first step into the world of filmmaking with his directorial debut, the critically acclaimed horror-thriller "Pizza." Two years later, in 2014, he followed this success with "Jigarthanda," a film that firmly established his reputation as one of the decade's most promising talents. Interestingly, Karthik's original plan was to debut with "Jigarthanda," but this had to be postponed because producers were hesitant to back a big-budget production at the time. After receiving acclaim for "Pizza," Karthik realized his dream of making "Jigarthanda" as his second film.

Karthik had initially envisioned actor-choreographer-filmmaker Raghava Lawrence for the iconic character of Assault Sethu, which later won Bobby Simha a National Award for Best Supporting Actor. Nearly a decade later, Karthik returns with the sequel to what was originally meant to be his directorial debut. This time, he has once again collaborated with Raghava Lawrence for "Jigarthanda Double X."

Reflecting on the past, Karthik recalls, "I initially wanted to cast Raghava Lawrence as Assault Sethu, but due to scheduling conflicts, it wasn't possible. However, Raghava expressed his interest in working with me after the release of 'Jigarthanda.' At that time, I had shared the concept of 'Double X' with him, but I believed it wasn't the right moment to make the film. The idea was still in its nascent stage, and I needed to develop a script that could live up to the legacy of 'Jigarthanda.'"

Notably, Karthik prefers not to label it as "Jigarthanda 2" but rather as a spiritual sequel, retaining the essence of the original story. He chose "Double X" to signify the franchise's expansion.

The sequel continues to explore the intersections of crime and art, set against the backdrop of Madurai in 1975. As Karthik explains, "The film carries the essence of the original, focusing on the convergence of crime and art. 'Double X' is set in 1975 and, like the title, symbolizes a cold-hearted character, similar to Sethu from the original."

Karthik, known for revitalizing actor-filmmaker Sj Suryah's career as a performer, has once again collaborated with Suryah, who portrays a film director in "Jigarthanda Double X." Shedding light on Suryah's role, Karthik reveals, "Suryah initially had reservations about playing another director's character, but he agreed when I explained that the role required a skilled performer. In the film, Suryah plays the role of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray's assistant director, and his appearance is styled to resemble Ray, from his hairstyle to clothing."

As for the casting choice of Raghava Lawrence as a formidable gangster, Karthik explains his inspiration, "I was captivated by Lawrence's eccentric and intense villain role in Saran's 'Paarthen Rasithen.' It inspired me to envision him as a villain in my film."

"Jigarthanda Double X" marks Karthik's return to the theatrical release format after a hiatus, with his previous films "Jagame Thandhiram" and "Mahaan" opting for digital platforms. Despite the pressures associated with this transition, Karthik is enthusiastic about his film's theatrical release, which coincides with the Diwali holiday. He shares, "Since childhood, Diwali has been synonymous with crackers, celebration, and cinema. After visiting the temple, a trip to the theaters was a routine part of our celebration. I am excited to make my theatrical comeback this Diwali, and I hope it becomes a joyous celebration."