Cast: Akil, Meera Nandan, Sruthi Nair

Director: G Ananda Narayanan

Producer: Sreenivasan

Banner: Vikatan Talkies

Music: Illayaraja

Editing : VT Vijayan

Lyrics : Vaali

Camera : Azhagappan

Vikatan Talkies Valmiki is striking the silver screens tomorrow (26/6/2009). Vaalmiki is directed by G. Ananda Narayanan who was a former associate of director Shankar. Another big news about the movie is the music by maestro Ilayaraja.

The title ‘Valmiki’ is an unusual one and the director explains, “Just like sage Valmiki was a reformed dacoit, my hero changes overnight to a new leaf”.

Kalloori fame Akil dons the lead role in Valmiki. He has two heroines opposite him. Meera Nandan and Sruthi Nair, both Malayali girls, making their debut in Kollywood are acting in the lead roles in Valmiki.

Meera Nandan who was introduced in Mulla opposite Dileep has done some Malayalam movies like Currency opposite Jayasurya and the upcoming Malayalam film Puthiya Mukham. She was a co-hostess in the popular Malayalam Musical Show, Idea Star Singer on Asianet. Sruthi Nair has also done many roles in Malayalam mini screen and is known in Kerala.

Akil plays the role of Poonakkan Pandi, a pickpocket. Meera Nandan plays Vandana, who runs a crèche for kids. An incident unites the lead pair. What change does the hero make in his lifestyle and how it affects many around him is the theme of the story.

Another important character is that of Sruthi Nair, who is a flower vendor. She has many dreams and her dreams always remain dreams. Akhil feels his role in the film is a challenging one and that it is totally different from the one in Kalloori.

Azhagappan is the cinematographer who has handled camera for more than 40 Malayalam films.

According to the director, the film has no fights and does not have a villain. It will be an action cum romantic movie. The shooting for this film was done in Chennai itself.

The audio launch of the film in Sathyam Cinemas, saw the presence of a lot of celebrities including the musical maestro himself. Also present at the launch were big names like Rama Narayanan, Directors Lingusamy, Madhesh, Balaji Shakthivel and Shankar, Pa.Vijay.Thamarai, Abhirami Ramanathan, Ilaiyaraja, Na.Muthukumar, Kalaippuli G. Shekaran, Palani Bharathy, Yugabharathi in addition to the cast and crew of the film.

The movie which is to be released tomorrow is produced by G. Sreenivasan. In Chennai, Valmiki will be released in about 11 theatres like Sathyam, INOX, Santhi, Abirami, Padmam, Mini Udhayam, AVM Rajeshwari, IDream, MM Theatre, Mayajaal, and Rohini.