Chennai, Aug.22 (NR): Azhagappan, former assistant of Kamal Hasan worked with the star on the sets of Apoorva sahodaragal, Guna, Magalir mattum and Devar magan, to mention a few. A native of Rayampettai in Thiruvanamalai, this former journalist makes his debut into direction with Vannathapoochi, a story about the bond between a grandfather and his city bred grand -daughter.

In a conversation with Mythily Ramachandran, Azhagappan talks about the film.

How has the response to the film been?

Good. My film has reached my target audience, that is the family crowd and children. In the theaters that I visited during the screening of the film, I noticed that the audience waited till the end of the show to see the outcome. That is a positive sign. It is a story that viewers will not forget easily, despite a few glitches in the making. That was my aim. I am satisfied.

There is no star cast in the film, apart from Revathy.

Yes, I wanted it that way, because this is not a commercial film. Had I used someone like Vikram, the focus would have been diverted onto him instead of the main characters, the grand father and his grand –daughter. The film was produced under a small banner with a small investment.

Why did you choose Sri Lakshmi?

Around eight girls were auditioned for the role. During the photo shoot, clippings of her were taken on a cell phone without her knowledge. Those pictures captured her natural and innocent self. The first time I introduced her to Bala Singh as her thatha in the story, she immediately ran up to him and hugged him. It was very spontaneous. That decided her.

What about Bala Singh?