The audio and trailer of LGM (‘Let’s Get Married’). Produced by ace cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his wife Sakshi Dhoni on behalf of their production house Dhoni Entertainment, was launched in great style and fanfare at the Leela Palace in Chennai.
The trailer and the audio of the Tamil film, which marks Dhoni Entertainment’s debut into feature film production, was launched by the cricketing legend himself along with his wife in the presence of a host of celebrities, fans, and media persons.
The film, which is a fun-filled family entertainer, features actors Harish Kalyan, Ivana, and Nadiya in the lead and has been directed by Ramesh Thamilmani, who has also scored the music of the film.
Speaking on the occasion, Dhoni said, “I have watched the movie. It is a very clean movie. It is an entertainer. I can watch it with my daughter. She will ask a lot of questions but I can watch it with her. Overall, the cast has done a fantastic job.
“The strength comes from the team. I am very proud of the way they have handled this project.
“Director Ramesh Thamilmani is also an architect. The only thing I told my wife when she wanted to make a film was, “Making a film is not like designing a house. You colour a wall. You don’t like it, you change the colour. Then, you realize that the first colour was better and then you colour it again. You can’t do that in films. You decide the storyline and the cast. Once you commit to it, just start it. Forget everything else. This is one of the main reasons why they were able to finish the movie in record time.
“I only told them to make sure that there was good food. Whether it is the cast or whether it is the whole crew, the food for everybody must be good. We are used to playing cricket and the only thing we wanted was good food.
“I believe in destiny. My test debut happened in Chennai. My highest test score happened in Chennai. When it comes to cricket, there are actually lots of things of which I can be proud that happened in Chennai. The love and affection fans have shown is simply unbelievable. The way we got back this year, through the ups and downs is remarkable. At the same time, I’ll say that wherever CSK goes, we get a lot of love.
“The movie will be coming in some time. It will be fun. It is an equation between three people, mostly. The mother-in-law, the daughter-in-law, and how the son in the middle is sandwiched between the two. Have a good time in the theatres watching it.”
Sakshi Dhoni, the mind behind the film, said, “Talking about the film, a lot of my friends and everybody around us have come across these kind of situations in life in general. So we thought, why not make it into a movie. So we spoke to Ramesh and that was how it began.
“We chose to make this film in Tamil because of him (Pointing to Dhoni). Apparently, we wanted to do it in Tamil because this was our first movie. We needed an auspicious start to not just this movie but the rest of the projects that we have and Chennai is the best place to have that auspicious start.”
Speaking on the occasion, director Ramesh Thamilmani said, ” Firstly, I want to express my thanks to Dhoni sir and to Sakshi madam for this opportunity.
“There was no pressure or tension while working on this project. The concept for this film came from Sakshi madam and we had a lot of discussions on how we would make it. LGM is a jolly film. Thanks to a very good team, it was very easy for me to make this film.
“The story discusses a universal problem. Everybody would have experienced this. I liked Sakshi Madam’s concept of the mother-in-law and the would be daughter-in-law going on a trip to understand one another. Sakshi madam would look at every frame of the film while we made it. We rewrote the script three or four times.
“Dhoni sir never came to sets but he gave suggestions. He said, ‘Don’t worry about the result but follow the process.'”
Actress Nadiya, while speaking, said, “When I first got a call from Dhoni Entertainment, I thought it was a call for the women’s premier League. I was surprised and thought it was a prank. I come from a family that has played a lot of cricket from my husband’s side. Thank you Dhoni sir for being an inspiration to so many people.
“LGM is a a fun film. It speaks about relationships. It has given a positive spin to all relationships. director Ramesh Thamilmani is extremely talented. It is a very unique concept Sakshi. Thank you for it.”
The hero of the film, Harish Kalyan, said, “Before I get to talking about LGM, I want to thank Dhoni sir for giving us such a memorable IPL season this year. It’s not about victories, it is about all the moments that we have cherished in our lifetime and we still hope that this is not the last season.
“Sakshi ma’am’s concept is a very nice one. It will connect to all audiences. It talks about a universal problem. All the families all over the world will be able to connect to it. Thank you Sakshi ma’am. I have got a brother through this film, and that is director Ramesh Thamilmani.
“When M Kumaran, son of Mahalakshmi released, I went and asked my mom if I could call Nadiya ma’am also as my mom because that was how much I liked her. Privileged to have acted with Nadiya ma’am in this film. Ivana is a very talented actress and it was a pleasure working with her.
“While watching this film, apart from the comedy, the romance, the drama, there is something significant in the film. You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you. There is something on putting the family together in this film. When you watch the film, you will know what I am talking about.
“When I asked director Thamilmani what Dhoni sir said after watching this film, he said sir had told him that ‘Whatever we do, we must like it first.’ On that basis, he said he liked what we had done. This will be a film to the liking of everybody.”
Actress Ivana said, “It is only because Dhoni sir chose to make this film in Tamil that we got this opportunity. This team is very big and I am lucky enough to be a part of it. Director Thamilmani was captain cool. I was surprised that a director could be so patient. I feel very proud to have been a part of this project.
Earlier, Vikas Hasija, the producer while delivering the welcome address said, “I am very happy to be associated with this project. I am thankful to Dhoni sir and Sakshi ma’am for having faith in me for and entrusting me with this huge responsibility.
Actor Yogi Babu, during the course of his speech, said, “I thank Dhoni sir and Sakshi Madam for making their first film in Tamil. When Director Ramesh Thamilmani approached me for this film, I initially had my doubts if he was pulling a fast one. Then, eventually, I realised he was serious about making a film for Dhoni Entertainment.
“However, I pointed out to him that the film had big stars like Nadiya ma’am and Harish Kalyan who were had busy schedules and that common dates might be a problem. Director Tamilmani told me he’d get me a cricket bat signed by Dhoni sir if I gave him the dates he wanted. I immediately asked my manager to give him all the dates he wanted.
“Everybody in this film including actors Harish Kalyan, Ivana and Nadiya ma’am have done a fine job. Just like the speed at which Dhoni sir delivers his helicopter shot, the director of this film, Thamilmani, has completed shooting it.
“My sincere thanks to the entire production unit of Dhoni Entertainment for having looked after us well and for having promptly provided everthing that director Ramesh Thamilmani wanted to make the film. I pray to the Almighty that this film becomes a huge success.”
Sharmila J Rajaa, associate producer of the film, said, “It is a great privilege to be a part of this project.”
“The production unit took good care of us during shoot. They would motivate us by saying, ‘(Dhoni) Sir has asked you to work cheerfully.’ Also, on the last day, they gave us feedback forms to know if they had taken good care of us and if they were found lacking in anyway. Happy to have worked with Harish Kalyan, Ivana and Nadiya madam in this film.”