Archana Kalpathi, the CEO of AGS Entertainment, exudes confidence when discussing Vijay-starrer “The Greatest of All Time” and speaks her mind with refreshing candour. “I’m glad this interview is in English. I’ve been trolled a lot for switching from Tamil to English on social media,” she quips as we settle in for a chat. Dealing with the wrath of Vijay’s fans on social media is nothing new for Archana, who produced Vijay’s blockbuster film, Bigil (2019). Back then, she faced trolling for not providing frequent updates about the film. Despite the challenges, she wouldn’t miss the chance to work with Vijay again. “This is a very special film in my career. Working with Vijay across five different countries has been an incredible journey,” Archana shares. She acknowledges that she will miss him as an actor, with GOAT being Vijay’s penultimate project before his venture into politics. “His absence will leave a huge void in Tamil cinema,” she adds.
In 2023, AGS Entertainment struck gold with Love Today, a relatively small-budget film directed by debutant Pradeep Ranganathan, who also played the lead role. The movie, about a couple forced to exchange their mobiles for a day, became a blockbuster. A Hindi remake is in the works, starring Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor. Following this success, AGS signed Vijay for GOAT, a film with a budget of Rs 380 crore. For Archana, it’s not the scale but the content that truly matters. “It’s crucial to identify relevant scripts. I can’t take full credit for the success; luck plays a role in good films coming our way. Having a chain of multiplexes also helps, as it gives us the advantage of releasing our films on the big screen,” she says.
In the movie business, there’s often a power struggle between the creative team and the financiers. However, Archana asserts that AGS grants full creative control to the filmmakers once they commit to a project. “We provide complete freedom; we are only facilitators. Our involvement comes only when the director requests something beyond the budget. For instance, we initially planned to shoot in Istanbul, but we opted for Russia since we had a Russian partner. We weren’t just taking a small group; we were moving a crew of 100 to 150 people. Russia was easier in terms of visas and logistics. We’re also particular about timelines. Once we start a project, it’s crucial to stick to the schedule to avoid budget overruns. So, our intervention is limited to these aspects.” Despite the best efforts, films often exceed their budgets. “It’s almost impossible to stay within the set budget; it usually exceeds by 10 to 15 percent. We’re prepared for that, and GOAT fell within that range.”
As a woman in the film industry, Archana weighed in on the Hema Committee report, which has caused a stir in the Malayalam film industry. “I’m glad this report has come out. First, we need to acknowledge that problems exist. The higher up you are, the less impacted you are by the system. So, it’s our responsibility to establish systems that protect and support those coming up. I believe every industry should have a 50/50 gender balance to reach its full potential. It’s disheartening that we don’t have enough women behind the camera, and we must ensure it’s a safe space for them.” When asked if she would recommend a similar committee in Tamil cinema, she responded, “We’re all discussing it, but it’s too early to make any decisions. Let’s see.”
After The Greatest of All Time, which releases in theatres on September 5, AGS Entertainment is set to produce Dragon, with Pradeep Ranganathan in the lead role and Ashwath directing.
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