Gautham Menon’s short Karthik Dial Seytha Yenn instils hope in these bleak times

Filmmaker Gautham Vasudev Menon’s new short film, Karthik Dial Seytha  (2020), which was released today, instils hope in these times of the coronavirus pandemic.

The short follows Karthik, played by Simbu, who is going through a writer’s block. He calls up Jessie, in need of solace and inspiration, but in the process reveals that he still loves her. However, she is now happily married and a mother of two.

Both Karthik and Jessie are characters from Menon’s successful romantic drama, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya (2010). In about 12 minutes, the film tries to encapsulate all that has happened in the lives of Karthik and Jessie since that film. Throughout the phone conversation, Jessie tries to console Karthik, a man-child struggling to grow out of his insecurities. She imparts hope that everything is going to be all right.

According to the reports doing the rounds in the industry, the film is a precursor to a sequel to Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya, which Menon plans to make soon. The director recently revealed that he is ready to shoot for the sequel if he gets a go-ahead from Simbu.

On the career front, the filmmaker has two projects ready for release. While he has completed shooting and awaits the release of Joshua: Imai Pol Kaakha (2020), an action thriller; he is stuck with the post-production work on his long-delayed spy thriller, Dhruva Natchathiram (2019).

Menon recently confirmed that he has plans of making a sequel to the cop thriller, Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu (2006). In an interview to The Hindu newspaper, he confirmed the reports about the Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu sequel. In the interview, he also opened up about the epic opening scene in the first part, saying that it was a fan’s tribute to Kamal Haasan.

“I am a huge fanboy, who wrote that scene even though the rest of the film was not like that, just for the audience to celebrate this man," he said. "You step aside from the filmmaker you are momentarily. That was a fan’s tribute. Vettaiyaadu Villayadu 2 also has a similar opening scene and I’m really looking forward to shooting that.”