Dravidianist filmmaker Vetrimaaran has announced his decision to step away from film production, bringing an end to over a decade of work under his production banner, Grass Root Film Company. The director confirmed that the company will officially wind down following the release of his latest project, Bad Girl, due to the increasing pressures and difficulties associated with producing films.
Speaking at a press event in Chennai ahead of the release, Vetrimaaran reflected on the struggles he faced during the making of Manushi and Bad Girl. He admitted that the role of a producer took a much heavier toll on him compared to directing, noting that producing involved constant stress and a level of scrutiny that extended far beyond the creative process.
“While directing allows me to focus solely on the story and characters, producing is all-consuming,” he said, highlighting that even social media reactions such as comments on a teaser can impact the film’s performance. He explained that for independent producers like himself, who often rely on borrowed funds, the financial and emotional burden can become too much to manage.
Due to these challenges, Bad Girl will mark the final production from Grass Root Film Company, which will be closing its operations after the film’s release.
Both Manushi and Bad Girl have encountered hurdles with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). In June, Vetrimaaran approached the Madras High Court after the CBFC refused certification for Manushi, directed by N. Gopi Nainar and featuring Andrea Jeremiah. The court later ordered that the film be cleared only after implementing 25 cuts and 12 changes.
Bad Girl, starring Anjali Sivaraman and directed by Varsha Bharat, also drew controversy after its teaser was released, with accusations that the film portrayed Brahmins in a negative light. Vetrimaaran clarified that these reactions were based on misinterpretations and that the full film had received a U/A certificate from the CBFC.
“People jumped to conclusions based on the teaser, but the film isn’t what they assumed it to be,” he explained. “In the case of Manushi, we had to go through multiple rounds of screening one initial review and two by the revising committee.”
With Bad Girl marking the end of his journey as a producer, Vetrimaaran intends to shift his focus back to directing an area where he says he finds creative fulfillment without the burdens of production logistics and financial strain.
(With inputs from TOI)
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