About me

My top 4 favourite films

The films that made me

These are the movies that shaped my life, made me fall in love with cinema, and influenced me as a filmmaker. I believe these films offer engaging entertainment and immense repeat value, with characters we can easily connect with. Growing up in India has played a big part in my identity and my taste in films. As much as I like to explore international cinema, my heart remains close to my roots. Three of the four films here are from the Indian film industry, two of which are Tamil, and the one left is a fantastic action comedy directed by Stephen Chow.

2018

Vadachennai

Every time I rewatched Vadachennai, directed by the legendary Vetrimaaran, the film felt fresher, offering something new that sticks with me. It could be its rich and detailed characters like Anbu, Rajan, Thambi, or even the smaller supporting characters that contribute to the bigger picture. Vetrimaaran's layered writing and the way he builds intense drama while maintaining a non-linear story is top notch. Dhanush fits into the role of Anbu seamlessly, like he does with every role he dons, and Santhosh Narayanan's soundtrack adds so much character to the film's atmosphere.

2019

Jersey

Jersey by Gowtam Tinnanuri taught me about resilience and to fight for your love. The film is more than a sports drama — its emotional conflict, held together by a father–son relationship at its core, can be just as impactful with or without understanding even the basic rules of cricket. Anirudh Ravichander's soundtrack is exactly what the movie needed; it's soulful, inspirational, and also made me cry.

2004

Kung Fu Hustle

Kung Fu Hustle, by Stephen Chow, has a distinct style of absurdity that it unapologetically owns in the best way possible. The arc of Sing, a rogue who believes he is more menacing than he actually is, into a calm and collected hero may sound like a usual protagonist's arc, but its execution, blended with its unique world, is so fresh for an action film of its time. It taught me not to be scared of experimenting with different settings and genres, and to have fun with writing.

2016

Jil Jung Juk

Jil, Jung and Juck are such fresh and entertaining characters, sharing a Rush-Hour type dynamic making a two-hour film feel like thirty minutes. Analysing Deeraj Vaidy's writing taught me to embrace mindless fun but also hold on to the conviction to sincerely represent its world and characters.