Director Gautham Vasudev Menon's 'The Life Of Muthu' (Part-I of duology) is all set to hit the screens on September 17. Released to a positive response in Tamil today, the Simbu-starrer tells the story of an underdog entering the Mumbai underworld. The director, in this interview, says that the second part will surely be there and that it hasn't been advertised for the sake of it. 

He also says that Simbu, Raadhika Sarathkumar and Siddique are the only known faces, while the rest of them are unfamiliar to the audience. With Siddhi Idnani as the hero's love interest, the film also features Neeraj Madhav in a key role. 

Furthermore, the talented director has lined up many interesting projects, including one each with Ram Pothineni and Kamal Haasan. Menon, who recently appeared in 'Sita Ramam', also reveals that he is ready to do 'Ye Maya Chesave 2' anytime Naga Chaitanya is game for it. 

Actor Simbu recently said that 'Life of Muthu' tells the story of a young man who is pushed into the underworld. How did this idea come to you?

It was writer B Jeyamohan sir who pitched the idea. After listening to his 15-minute narration, I was bowled over and set aside the romantic story I had been working on for Simbu. 

'Life of Muthu' is going to have a sequel. There is no publicity gimmick to it. Even when the story writer pitched the idea to me, I knew that it has to be a duology. That said, I don't call this a 'Baahubali' or a 'Ponniyin Selvan' in terms of scale. During the shoot, when someone asked me if a scene can be done, I replied that it will be there in the second part. My hero and producer themselves asked me to plan 'Part 2' after the shoot was over. 

You have always been awed by Simbu's talent, it seems. Isn't it?

Simbu slips into his character 10 seconds before the shot. If he is in front of the camera, he gets it perfectly in the very first take. 'Life of Muthu' is his best performance in his career. 

Barring three actors, the rest of them have been drawn from the theatre background. I had to ensure that the world I am creating is realistic and believable. That's why I had to pick new faces. Although Simbu is a star, he molds into any image. He can look like a 20-year-old man, he can look like a gangster. 

'Sravanthi' Ravikishore of Sravanthi Movies is releasing 'Life of Muthu' in Telugu. Tell us about your association with him. And what about a project with Ram Pothineni as the hero? 

It feels great to interact with him. I am glad that he is bringing my film to the Telugu audience. He is the conduit between me and Ram Pothineni, with whom I had commenced a project and had to shelve it years ago. Next year, I am going to do a straight Telugu film with him. Discussions have been on. 

Is it true that you are interested in 'Ye Maya Chesave 2', 'Gharshana 2' and 'Raghuvaran 2'?

'Raghuvaran 2' with Kamal Haasan sir is on the cards. Jeyamohan sir is working on the script. It is too early days to say when exactly the project will be commenced. 

'Ye Maya Chesave 2' and 'Gharshana 2' will depend on the readiness of Naga Chaitanya and Venkatesh sir, respectively. If they are ready, I am up for them. 

Vikram-starrer 'Dhruva Natchathiram' will hopefully be released in December this year. Then there is a new season of 'Queen' coming up. I have already shot for a few episodes.