Filmmaker Aakash Bhaskaran on ‘Idli Kadai’: ‘We Had a Good Opening but ‘Kantara’ Ate into Our Profits’

Filmmaker Aakash Baskaran’s cinematic journey began in 2015, when he assisted director Vignesh Shivan on three films, after which he branched out on his own. In 2024, Aakash set up his production company, Dawn Pictures and made two films, “Idli Kadai” (2025) and “Parasakthi” (2026). In this exclusive interview with Variety India, he talks about his upcoming film and a future project with Dhanush.

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You have written the story and screenplay of “Idhayam Murali" and are also producing and directing the movie. What was the thought process behind this film?

I always wanted to be a filmmaker. It's a coming-of-age story. The film has a ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ kind of vibe. I wanted to make a film based on friendship and love. And this film is about that.

Is there a connection between “Idhayam Murali” and the 1991 film “Idhayam?”

The link is that ‘Idhayam’ had Atharvaa Murali’s father( Murali) play the lead. That is the only coincidence, but otherwise, the script of ‘Idhayam Murali’ is completely different. When I wrote this film, I believed that Atharvaa would be ideal for the role of the protagonist Idhaya. I had only him in mind for this role and did not reach out to anyone else. This film will bring back memories of his father. So, in that sense, the audience will be able to connect both films.

You began your career as an assistant director to filmmaker Vignesh Shivan and you worked on three films with him. What did you learn about cinema?

I began my career by directing a few short films. Since I was keen on pursuing filmmaking, I worked with him (Vignesh) to learn the ropes and understand how the process works. He is a very dear friend now.

You have produced two films, “Idli Kadai” in 2025 and “Parasakthi” in 2026. They did not enjoy box-office success. Why?

I think ‘Idli Kadai’ performed well for us. But with ‘Parasakthi,’ there were too many controversies happening during the film’s release. That could be a prime reason. But I am proud to have made this film.

How do you cope with disappointing results?

I move on by making another film. You have to stay positive and take losses in your stride. This does not mean that I am not concerned about losing money. ‘Parasakthi’ was a big film for us. It was made on a huge budget. But you can’t let failure define you. I am driven by passion when it comes to filmmaking.

How challenging is it to draw audiences to theaters today?

It is very, very difficult to bring the audience to the theaters. You should not only make a creative film but also ensure that they watch it. We make an effort to market the film well so that people make an effort to visit the cinema halls. A film becoming a hit or a flop is secondary. What is more important is that the audience visit theaters. After that, it is up to the audience to decide the film's fate.

You have produced two films in the last two years, and you are also directing a film. How difficult does it get?

Production was very challenging because all three films were being shot at the same time. Like my lead hero in ‘Idhayam Murali’ was also acting in ‘Parasakthi,’ so we had to wait for some time for ‘Idhayam Murali’s’ shoot. That was very difficult for us. The venture has to be profitable for any producer. There are challenges in getting the right pricing for OTT rights. One has to get the budget right. The market is going through a flux right now.

You are already planning your next film with Dhanush. When is that happening?

It is an untitled film and we are starting the shoot around August/ September this year. It is being directed by Tamizharasan Pachamuthu, who has earlier directed ‘Lubber Pandhu.’ The film with Dhanush is an action drama, and the script is still being worked on.

Why do movies that perform poorly at the box office do well on OTT?

‘Idli Kadai’ was a nice film. People who have watched it on OTT have loved the movie. Many have told me that they got emotional while watching the film. We had a good opening and collection, but ‘Kantara 1’(Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1) was released at the same time and that film ate into our profits. Also, getting the release date right is important for good business.

What after “Idhayam Murali? ” 

I am already writing my next script, and I plan to direct my second film later this year.