Entertainment · Indian Cinema · 1 day ago
C Prem Kumar says Trisha was his first choice for ‘96’
C Prem Kumar directed ‘96’, a Tamil romantic drama released in 2018 and starring Trisha Krishnan and Vijay Sethupathi.
The film has returned to theatres for the third time and continues to attract audiences.
Prem Kumar says Trisha was his first choice to play Jaanu, despite reports that Jyotika was initially approached.
Trisha’s busy schedule caused a timing problem because Prem Kumar already had Vijay Sethupathi’s dates.
Her schedule was rearranged, allowing the actors’ dates to match.
Prem Kumar says he had both lead actors in mind while writing the film.
He has also completed a script based on an idea from 2002 and plans to begin shooting it next.
Director C Prem Kumar says Trisha Krishnan was his first choice to play Jaanu in the Tamil film ‘96’.
He said scheduling conflicts briefly led to pressure to consider another actor, but Trisha’s schedule was rearranged to match Vijay Sethupathi’s dates.
Prem Kumar made the remarks in an interview as the film returned to theatres for the third time.
The romantic drama, starring Trisha and Vijay Sethupathi, was originally released in 2018.
- Who
- Director C Prem Kumar discussed the casting of Trisha Krishnan and Vijay Sethupathi in ‘96’.
- What
- Prem Kumar said Trisha was always his first choice to play Jaanu.
- When
- In a recent interview published on October 9 and 10, 2026.
- Where
- The film is set in Tamil cinema; the interview was with NDTV.
- Why
- Scheduling conflicts briefly complicated casting, as Trisha was working on several films and Prem Kumar had Vijay Sethupathi’s dates.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Without a doubt, my first choice was Trisha
There were some date issues as she was working in several films and since I had Vijay Sethupathi's dates, there was pressure from various sides to consider someone else.
I strongly believe, and I am not saying this out of humility, that the story chooses me. It is not me who chooses the story.
Prem Kumar wrote ‘96’ during the Chennai floods.
‘96’ was originally released.
NDTV published an interview with Prem Kumar about the film and its casting.
Times of India reported that ‘96’ had returned to theatres for the third time.
- Director
- C Prem Kumar
- First choice for Jaanu
- Trisha Krishnan
- Other lead actor
- Vijay Sethupathi
- Original release
- 2018
- Script written
- During the Chennai floods in December 2015
Sources
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