EXCLUSIVE: Murad Khetani on making his Tamil debut with Baththa: “It was a natural step and credit goes to Atlee sir”; reveals if Vijay Sethupathi-starrer will be dubbed in Hindi: “We would certainly be open to exploring it”
Murad Khetani of Cine1 Studios has made a mark in Bollywood with successful films like Kabir Singh (2019), Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022), Animal (2023) and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024). He developed a strong bond with blockbuster filmmaker Atlee while working on Baby John (2024), and the association has now continued with Baththa. The recently released Tamil entertainer stars Vijay Sethupathi in the lead and marks Murad Khetani’s foray into Tamil cinema. Produced under the banners of Cine1 Studios, Atlee’s A for Apple Studios and Star Studio18, the film has opened a new chapter in the producer’s career. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Murad Khetani spoke about Baththa, his experience of working with Vijay Sethupathi, his association with Atlee, the possibility of a Hindi version and a lot more.
How has been the response to Baththa?
The response has been very encouraging, and it feels great to see the film reaching out to audiences. As a producer, you always hope that the effort and conviction you put into a film connect with people, and that’s what makes this journey special. For me, Baththa is also an important film because it marks my first Tamil release, so it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Vijay Sethupathi looks in great form. Was he the first choice? Also, how was it working with team Baththa?
Vijay Sethupathi sir is a phenomenal actor, and what I love about him is that he brings so much honesty and individuality to every character he plays. His presence adds a lot to the story. Director T Balaji and Vijay sir share a long-standing relationship, and I think that understanding played a very important role in bringing this character to life. When you have that kind of comfort and creative equation, it really reflects on screen. Honestly, we felt that no one could have done this role better than Vijay.
It was a wonderful experience working with the entire team of Baththa. T Balaji had a clear vision for the film, Sai Abhyankkar brought a fresh musical energy, and Sai Prithviraj, despite being so young, brought a lovely presence to the screen. Everyone brought their own strengths to the project, and it was a great team to be associated with, especially for my first Tamil release.
Tell us about the hair flip done by Vijay Sethupathi repeatedly in the film. Was it inspired by Rajinikanth?
The hair flip was essentially a creative decision taken by the director and Vijay sir on the sets. It evolved organically as part of the character and the way Vijay sir chose to portray him. As producers, we believe in giving our directors and actors the creative freedom to explore such nuances and discover what works best. While Rajinikanth sir has made several such signature mannerisms iconic, the hair flip in Baththa was something that emerged naturally during the filmmaking process.
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What made you go down South?
For me, it was a very natural step, and a lot of credit goes to Atlee sir and the entire team of Baththa. Atlee sir and I share a great bond, and there is a lot of mutual trust and understanding between us. When you have that kind of relationship with someone, it becomes easier to explore new opportunities together. The entire team of Baththa was equally passionate about the film, and that gave me a lot of confidence. I have always believed that good stories go beyond language and geography. For me, it was less about entering a new industry and more about being part of a good film with the right people. Baththa gave me that opportunity, and I am really happy that my first Tamil film has been this experience.
This is your second film with Atlee. How has been your bond with him?
Working with Atlee sir has been a great experience. He is extremely passionate about cinema and has a very clear understanding of the kind of stories he wants to tell. What I appreciate most about him is his conviction and the energy he brings into a project. Priya Atlee is an equally wonderful producer. Over time, we’ve become like family, and we share a very special bond.
Did you or Atlee ever think of dubbing the film in Hindi?
Of course, when you make a film, you always think about how it can reach a wider audience. Hindi is definitely a market we understand well, but I also believe that every film has its own journey. With Baththa, our focus was on telling the story the way it was meant to be told. If we feel that a Hindi version can add value and help the film reach more people, we would certainly be open to exploring it.
The post EXCLUSIVE: Murad Khetani on making his Tamil debut with Baththa: “It was a natural step and credit goes to Atlee sir”; reveals if Vijay Sethupathi-starrer will be dubbed in Hindi: “We would certainly be open to exploring it” appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.