Mumbai: Fox Star Studios, Dhanush and Vetri Maaran's ‘Kaaka Muttai’ (Crow’s Egg) has been selected for the prestigious Toronto Film Festival. Being hailed as a gem of a movie, the team behind Kaaka Muttai are ecstatic because it is the first time a film by a debut Tamil director has been officially selected for a World Premiere at Toronto since the festival’s inception in 1976. The Toronto film festival has been described as "the most important film festival in the world – the largest, the most influential, the most inclusive.” In the past, it has premiered films like American Beauty, The Wrestler, Black Swan and 127 hours.
The film has been co-produced by superstar Dhanush and national-award winning director Vetri Maaran along with Fox Star Studios and has been directed by first-timer Manikandan. A former wedding photographer, he is the writer, director and cameraman of the film.
In the recent past Dhanush’s Wunderbar Film Company has produced the successful ‘Ethir Neechal’ and this year’s local blockbuster ‘VIP’ starring Dhanush. This is the first production of director Vetri Maaran’s Grass Root Film Company, who had earlier made ‘Aadukalam’ which won five national awards. Fox Star Studios has delivered five critically acclaimed hits in a row in Tamil including this year's comedy hit Mundasupatti — all by debutant directors. Looks like they have another winner in their hands.
Vijay Singh, CEO Fox Star Studios says, "It is an extremely proud moment for us that our film has been selected at the prestigious Toronto film festival. Fox Star Studios has seen tremendous success with our films down south and this selection bolsters our belief that we are doing something right. We are extremely confident that this movie will not just win accolades but also be hugely successful at the counters. We raise a toast to our director, co-producers, actors and every crew member who believed in this film, this dream. The film will touch the hearts of everyone."
Co-producer Dhanush says, "I'm very proud of Manikandan the director of the film to be the first Tamil film maker to enter the festival as a debutant. As the producers of the film Vetri Maaran and I are proud and thrilled. I feel honoured that a Tamil film is reaching international audience. Kaaka Muttai is a simple and humble yet a very important film. Our thanks to each and every one who supported us. I thank Fox Star for their support. It meant a lot for this project."
Co-producer Vetri Maaran says, “I am extremely proud that a first-time Tamil director’s film has been selected in the same category that discovered directors like Christopher Nolan and Steve Mcqueen. I think it is something we should all celebrate. I hope that with Fox Star Studios we can use this film to take Tamil cinema to newer international audiences."
Debutant director Manikandan is over the moon. “This is really special for us. It gives us the belief that cinema with soul has a universal appeal. It is a big emotional moment for me and the team of my film and my producers Fox Star studios who have backed me to the hilt on this project. We are excited to be at Toronto.”
The film is a quirky comedy with a strong social message. When a pizza parlour opens on their old playground, two carefree slum boys are consumed by the desire to taste this new-fangled dish called ‘pizza’. Realizing that one pizza costs more than their family’s monthly income, they begin to plan ways to earn more money – inadvertently setting in motion an adventure that will involve the entire city.