Actor Suriya goes the extra mile as producer with Pasanga 2

Actor Suriya has a request for viewers. Do not watch Pasanga 2, now playing at theatres in the UAE, for him or with the expectations of a Suriya movie. Directed by Pandiraj, who delivered the immensely likeable Pasanga and Marina, the movie is promoted as the last in his trilogy that features children in central roles.
However, Pasanga 2 takes on a new dimension with Suriya coming on board as producer and also starring in a cameo that is central to the film's narrative. But Suriya wants to downplay his own involvement and instead shine the spotlight on the director and the children. Suriya says that Pandiraj has done tremendous research into the project, discussing with psychiatrists, parents and teachers about children and concerns including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
"The film must not be seen as one for children but as one that is equally important for parents," says Suriya, who admits he is challenged as to whether to talk about the movie or about the devastating Chennai floods. In addition to contributing to relief work, he has also been coordinating relief efforts, along with his brother Karthi, who has been working alongside large teams of fans to deliver aid to the flood victims.
Suriya says he listened to some 50 scripts before finalising Pasanga 2 as a home-production because he 'believed in the story.' He says he feels lucky to work with Pandiraj on a project that is not 'just entertaining but also inspiring.'
The main cast of the film was chosen after extensive screen tests and reach-outs that went on for nearly eight months. The director met over 150 children before finalising Nishesh, Vaishnavi and Arush as the main leads. The film tackles their stories and that of their families. Initially the film was named Haiku, which was then changed to leverage the entertainment tax exemption for movies with Tamil titles, more so because the makers wanted the film to reach the maximum audience.
Suriya says that with Pasanga 2, he is also shouldering the task of bringing children out to the movie halls. "They have very limited options other than animation movies, and I wanted to bring them a movie that reflects their own lifestyle while making them think."
No wonder then that he has gone all out to give the film his time and dedication, with one highlight of Pasanga 2 being a spectacularly choreographed song featuring Suriya and some 60 children.