I'd like Hrithik Roshan and Arvind Swami in Hindi remake of 'Thani Oruvan', says Jayam Raja

Director Jayam Raja's Thani Oruvan was a superhit and people are still raving about the performances of the lead actors. The film is still being talked about in Kollywood for its novel theme and strong content. The director who is known for his remakes delivered a blockbuster original script. At the recent IIFA Utsavam awards, he won best Director for the film.

In an exclusive chat with dna, he talks about winning the honour, his next film and more.

How do you feel after winning the IIFA Utsavam award for Best Director Tamil for Thani Oruvan?

I put in three years of hard work Thani Oruvan and those who were involved in this movie believed in the script. My younger brother Ravi and Arvind Swami came on board and they all worked hard on this film with me. I believe when the script is right that all the right energies come together and make it a good film. That's what happened in the case of Thani Oruvan. The audience then accepted the film and made it a blockbuster. Ultimately, it is the audience that takes the movie forward. They made it the success it is today and this reinstated the belief that the script was really good. And now winning the IIFA Utsavam award for Best Director for Thani Oruvan for me is the crown. 

The IIFA Utsavam awards have been established to honour the South Indian film industries.

I think it's great that this prestigious award has finally been established for the South Indian film industries. The IIFA Awards are well known and they have been celebrating Hindi cinema for 16 years. Now the South film industry is part of IIFA and for me it's an honour to have received so many for the film.

Did you expect that Thani Oruvan would be such a big hit?

The whole idea for the film started off with one thought— how would it be if one individual meets his nemesis because of just one situation or circumstance? That was the germ of the idea I had and developed. It was a unique thought and even a new thought in Tamil cinema. I started to build on this and that's how I wrote the script for the movie. Like I said, I worked hard on this project. Whether it was a remake or original script, I work with the same passion and dedication on the film. I think that's why my remakes were also hits. 

There was talk that Salman Khan might do the film in Hindi.

I did meet with some producers but because it's a two-hero project, it is taking time to materialise. But the producers I met with gave me a lot of respect and loved the film. In fact, when I met with Sony Pictures they gave me a big round of applause and I felt really happy that they loved the film. I would ideally love to see Hrithik Roshan and Arvind Swami in the Hindi version of the film. 

What is next for you?

I'm doing a film with Sivakarthikeyan. He wanted to work with me and I found that he also shared the same passion for cinema as I do. He and I are on the same wavelength and I think it'll be good to work with someone like that. 

There was talk about a film with Arvind Swami.

Yes, I do have a script with him in mind. It was at the same time that the Sivakarthikeyan project also happened and I thought I'll work on this. There are some actors who I can proudly say are 'my actors'— I can work with them anytime, like my brother Ravi and Arvind Swami. In fact, I am also keen on doing a film with Vijay and that should happen too.

Team #ThaniOruvan winners! My brothers in Arms love this candid moment #IIFAUtsavam #2015 pic.twitter.com/Dmp6dANzAW — Jayam Ravi (@actor_jayamravi) January 25, 2016