Surya and Bala always share a good rapport. It was all there to see in Nandha and Pithamahgan. But it was the case when Bala was wielding the megaphone. Now that he is holding the purse strings, will things be any different?

Don't know. "There wouldn't any," hope the film's crew. "This is Bala's first production. He would not have committed himself unless he was satisfied with the project," add the crew members.

Bala is very confident about the abilities of Singapuli, his one-time associate. "I found the script hilarious and entertaining," Bala says about the film. "There is a good scope for good cinema," he adds.

Surya, despite his recent good run, has had something of a lull in his career owing to lack of releases. His last three films ----Kakka, Kakka, Perazhagan and Pitha Maghan ---happened very fast. But he let slip that momentum. So Mayavi in a sense is a very crucial movie for him.

In the movie, he is said to be cast as a guide. His make-up --- almost P C Sorcar-like, is already a talking point. "It is a tailor-made role for him," say insiders.

The heroine too is somebody whom he is very comfortable with --- Jothika. The two share more than a working comfort. Their rapport is so fine that it is easy for the director to get the best out of them. Surya, a guide, kidnaps an actress when she visits Mahabalipuram. Jothika plays this movie star.

Director Singapuli says the film is primarily about fun and mirth. "The accent is on that. But other elements of cinematic needs are also infused into the theme," he adds.

There is almost a thread of magic realism running through the movie. According to Singapuli, the film would provide sufficient entertainment to family, youth and children alike.

Devi Sri Prasad is scoring the music.

The shooting is almost complete and would be released on 14 February, says Singapuli.