Legendary Screenwriter K. Bhagyaraj Gifts ‘Beep’ Director a Pen After Reading the Script
“Not ‘Ratsasan’… It’s Closer to ‘Drishyam’” — Director Ila. Shanmuga Sundar on His Intriguing New Crime Drama
From an acclaimed short film to his first feature, director Ila. Shanmuga Sundar is now bringing his distinctive storytelling sensibility to the big screen with Beep.
Having earned recognition for his short film Kattu, Shanmuga Sundar makes his feature-film directorial debut with this unconventional crime drama, which promises to explore crime not through relentless violence, but through characters, psychology and the mysteries surrounding them.
The film features Raghav Ranganathan in a pivotal role, alongside Punjab-based actress Prerna Khanna, Yamini, Sarpatta Parambarai fame Priyadarshini, Nithish Veera and others.
Unlike conventional crime thrillers built around gunfire, graphic violence and bloodshed, Beep takes a more character-driven route, delving into the lives of people who exist on the margins of society.
At the heart of the story is a gifted young man from a modest background, who possesses an extraordinary ability to absorb and retain photographs and visual details with remarkable precision. He earns admission to one of India’s leading business schools, but his personal ambition is surprisingly simple — he wants to meet the girl he admires.
Then, an unexpected incident changes the course of his life.
What follows is an intriguing journey involving his close-knit group of six friends, who find themselves drawn into a situation far beyond anything they could have anticipated. How they attempt to rescue him forms the crux of Beep.
A Crime Drama That Chooses Suspense Over Spectacle
Speaking about the film, director Ila. Shanmuga Sundar explains that Beep deliberately moves away from the familiar grammar of violent crime thrillers.
“This is not a film filled with graphic violence, elaborate fight sequences or gun battles.
It is not structured in a way where a crime occurs every few minutes or where serial killers are constantly murdering people.
There is a murder in the story, but the narrative is driven by its characters and their individual pursuits. That is what makes the journey interesting.
I have nothing against guns or knives, but I felt they were not necessary for this particular story. Beep is not a film like Ratsasan. It is closer in spirit to films such as Drishyam and Thodakkam.”
One of the film’s most noteworthy highlights is the association of legendary screenwriter, director and actor K. Bhagyaraj, who has lent his voice to Beep as its narrator.
Interestingly, Bhagyaraj was initially hesitant to come on board the project. However, after reading the script, his response changed completely.
Impressed by the story, the veteran filmmaker immediately contacted director Ila. Shanmuga Sundar and presented him with a pen as a personal gift.
For a filmmaker celebrated for his extraordinary command over screenplay and storytelling, the gesture became a memorable moment for the debutant director — and a strong indication of the impact the Beep script had made on him.
The trailer of Beep was recently unveiled by director Venkat Prabhu, along with actors Premgi Amaren, Vaibhav, Ajay Raj, Ramya and Preetha Raghav.
The trailer has already crossed one million views on YouTube, generating considerable curiosity among audiences.
For a debut director venturing into a concept-driven crime drama, the response has been particularly encouraging, creating anticipation around what Beep has in store beyond its trailer.
With its character-driven narrative, unconventional approach to crime and emphasis on mystery and psychological tension, Beep is poised to offer audiences a crime drama that seeks to keep them guessing rather than overwhelm them with spectacle.
‘Beep’ hits theatres on September 18.
Technical Crew
Written & Directed by:
Ila. Shanmuga Sundar
Music: Prashant Vihari
Cinematography: Pradeep Padmakumar
Editing: Abhishek & Vignesh
Action: Ramkumar
Public Relations: A. John
