Director Rajkumar Periasamy is bringing together some of Indian cinema’s finest performers for ‘OM’, also known as ‘OM – Chapter 1: Udhiram – The Blood Wood’. Featuring Mammootty, Dhanush, Naseeruddin Shah, Sai Pallavi and Sreeleela, the film has already generated considerable interest across the country.After earning praise for ‘Amaran’, Rajkumar is exploring a different world with this ambitious project. While refraining from revealing too much about the plot, the filmmaker has offered a glimpse into the film’s central idea, its characters and the emotional conflicts that drive the narrative. With several prominent actors playing pivotal roles, ‘OM’ promises to go beyond the conventions of a typical action film.
Rajkumar Periasamy calls ‘OM’ an emotional story
In a conversation with Cinema Vikatan, Rajkumar Periasamy explained that the film cannot be described simply as a gangster drama. He revealed that the narrative has several interconnected layers, with different characters coming together for a common reason.Explaining the film’s central idea, he said, “It is an emotional story. Just as films set in Tirunelveli often have a certain connection to the place, Burma is the common thread in this film. Like the many branches of a tree, this story has several branches. Everyone comes together for a particular reason. What that reason is and why they unite forms the story.”The director also clarified that the ‘Chapter 1’ label in the title does not mean audiences will have to wait for a sequel to discover the ending. “This is not a continuing story. The story will conclude within this chapter itself,” he explained.
Mammootty as Burma Karthikeyan and Dhanush’s different role in ‘OM’
Rajkumar revealed that Mammootty was his first choice for the character of Burma Karthikeyan. After approaching the Malayalam superstar, the filmmaker waited for him to become available. Mammootty eventually heard the narration and agreed to join the project, giving Rajkumar greater confidence in the script.The director also praised Dhanush’s performance, saying the actor continued to surprise him throughout the shoot. “Dhanush sir is an exciting performer. Every day on the sets, he kept surprising me. He would amaze me in the very first take and could adapt himself to any situation. He has never played a role like this before, and he has genuinely stunned me,” Rajkumar said.He added that Mammootty’s character cannot be defined merely by the image of an underworld don, as the film presents him with a distinctive world and emotional depth.
About ‘OM’ cast and story
‘OM’ features Sai Pallavi and Sreeleela in roles that differ from their usual on-screen portrayals. Rajkumar revealed that both actresses attended workshops and familiarised themselves with their respective characters to prepare for the film.Naseeruddin Shah agreed to be part of the project after reading the complete script. Indrans also plays an important role in the film, with Rajkumar expressing his appreciation for the actor’s performance in ‘Home’.Sai Abhyankkar has composed the music, and the director is confident that the film’s theme music will stand out. Ezhil Arasu has handled the cinematography, while Kalaivanan is in charge of editing.