*Agni Entertainment Prakash Mohandas & N. Gopi Krishnan present*
*Filmmaker Krishna Shankar directorial*
*Varalaxmi Sarathkumar starrer “The Verdict” Trailer Launch*
Producers Prakash Mohandas and N. Gopi Krishnan of Agni Entertainment have presented the film ‘The Verdict’, a Courtroom Drama, directed by Krishna Shankar. The entire film has been extensively shot in USA, and complete shooting was wrapped up in a span of just 23 days. While the film’s theatrical release is scheduled on May 30, the cast and crew were present for the film’s trailer launch today (May 13, 2025) in Chennai.
Here are some excerpts from the event….
Producer Gopi Krishnan said, "I would like to thank Nirmal, Vincent, Irene Vincent, and many others in the USA who extended their help without any hesitation throughout the shoot. Without their support, completing the entire filming in less than 23 days would have been impossible. I’m also happy to introduce Aditya Ram as the music director—his work in the background score is truly remarkable. I’d like to thank my friend Chitra Lakshmanan for gracing this occasion; he was the first to forecast my journey as a producer. A heartfelt thanks to my entire team for their incredible work and unwavering support.”
Actor Yugi Sethu said, "I have already seen the film. It's a neat and slick film. When he invited me for the special screening, I was a little hesitant, but then I was so much shocked and surprised with the way Gopi has shaped this film. I am always allergic to courtroom drama and was totally uneasy when he invited me for this screenplay. But this movie has broken the barrier, and made me enjoy it throughout the show. I congratulate screenwriter Krishna Shankar for penning a perfect screenplay. The film doesn't carry any unwanted elements. The film has lots of tight angles focusing on faces like Bergman movies. Varalaxmi's linguistic approach is so commendable in this movie. All the actors have delivered an impeccable performance. My heartiest wishes to the entire team.”
Actor Chitra Lakshmanan said, “My thanks to Prakash Mohandas for making my friend Gopi Krishna the producer. He embodies true friendship, and I am here for his sake. The way actors responded to his invitation to shoot the entire film in the USA speaks to his warmth and friendliness. He is known as a perfectionist in managing every aspect of the process. His extraordinary talent is the reason so many talented artistes are part of this movie. Varalaxmi has reached greater heights not only in the Tamil film industry but also in the Telugu industry. She is a self-made actress who is very discerning in choosing unique and impactful roles. Director Krishna Shankar, a theatre artist, surprised me with his filmmaking skills, completing the film in just 23 days. He has beautifully drawn out the best performances from the actors, and his execution is highly commendable. My best wishes to the entire team.”
Producer and Actor Prakash Mohandas, Agni Entertainment said, “I am truly glad to witness such a positive reception for our maiden production in the Tamil film industry. We are humbled by the presence of so many talented artistes in this movie, from whom we inherited valuable acting nuances. They were incredibly professional, and we completed the shooting in just 23 days. There’s a saying, 'Content is King,' and I believe this movie, The Verdict, will live up to that. I’d like to thank Yugi Sethu Sir, Chitra Lakshmanan Sir, and Parthiepan Sir for gracing this event with their presence. Thank you all.”
Actress Suhasini Maniratnam said, “Some films remain close to an actor’s heart, and The Verdict is one such film for me. I’m truly happy to be part of this project and to have worked with Gopi Sir. The subject of the film deeply attracted me. I often accept roles in remakes if the original featured Lakshmi Ma'am. When they told me this role was initially written with her in mind, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity and instantly agreed to be part of it.
I had several scenes with Shruthi Hariharan, who would often ask me to rehearse so she could refine her improvisation. It was a pleasure working with her. Despite the logistical challenges during shooting, the director handled everything with calmness and efficiency. It was also wonderful to have Arvind Krishna as the cinematographer, whose vast experience brought great value to the film.
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar delivered a tremendous performance as a lawyer, maintaining authenticity without being influenced by American English, something that takes a lot of effort and preparation. Congratulations to the director for completing the entire shoot in just 23 days. My heartfelt thanks and best wishes to the entire team.”
Director Krishna Shankar said, “Every actor in this film is equal to ten Hollywood actors. That’s not just my opinion; it was echoed by the Hollywood co-stars who worked on this project. Despite being senior artistes, our actors were incredibly humble and open to my inputs, which I deeply appreciate. I sincerely thank Gopi Sir for assembling such a stellar team.
The actors I had envisioned for this film gave their nod in less than 30 minutes, a testament to Gopi Sir’s stature and goodwill in the industry. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire team, especially my co-director, associate director, and all the technicians and actors who supported this journey. I'm also grateful to Parthiepan Sir for gracing the occasion with his presence. Thank you all.”
Actress Varalaxmi Sarathkumar said, “Since my thinking language is English, it made delivering the dialogues a bit easier for me. However, I had to put in a lot of effort to slow down my speaking pace, as I'm known to be a fast talker. Given that this is a courtroom drama, I had to consciously reduce my speed to suit the tone of the film.
Gopi Sir has always been calling me for his projects, and I sincerely thank him for this opportunity. My thanks to Krishna Sir for giving me a unique experience with this film. I'm also very happy to have worked with such a friendly producer. A big thank you to Parthiepan Sir — I’ve always admired your work, and it means a lot to have you here.
I hope this film turns out to be a meaningful experience for the audience. Thank you all. I truly appreciate your support.”
Actor Parthiepan Radhakrishnan said, ““After watching Kamal Haasan Sir’s Hey Ram, Radhika Sarathkumar sarcastically asked if she could acquire the Tamil rights of the film. Similarly, The Verdict looks like a Hollywood movie and has been filmed with remarkable finesse. Varalaxmi is an incredibly proficient performer, something I witnessed firsthand while working with her in Iravin Nizhal. Suhasini Maniratnam’s passion for cinema is truly genuine. I’m genuinely glad that the entire team put in such hard work to complete the film in just 23 days. I’m looking forward to the success of this film.”
The Verdict features a talented cast including Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Sruthi Hariharan, Suhasini Maniratnam, Vidyulekha Raman, Prakash Mohandas, and others. The film is written and directed by Krishna Shankar, with cinematography by Arvind Krishna and editing by Sathish Suriya. Produced by Prakash Mohandass and N. Gopi Krishnan under the banner of Agni Entertainment, the film features music composed by Aditya Rao. The direction team includes Sudhar and Krishna K. Gopal, while audiography and sound design are handled by Rudhraa Velu of Rudhraa Studios.
