Experience Next-Level Cinema with the arrival of ‘Murmur’! Trailer Out Now

“I have made a film on a subject that I don’t believe in, but will scare the audience to core” - Director Hemnath Narayanan

 

Murmur that is awaiting its worldwide theatrical release on March 7, has captured the attention of film enthusiasts for being the first-ever found footage horror film in the Tamil film industry. The film is written and directed by Hemnath Narayanan and is produced by Prabhakaran of S.P.K. Pictures in association with Stand Alone Pictures International. While the film’s first look and promotional posters garnered phenomenal response, the makers are delighted the film’s theatrical trailer, which has furthermore intensified the expectations over the film. 

The film’s trailer launch was held recently in Chennai, which was graced by the film’s cast and crew including Director Hemnath Narayanan, Cinematography Jason Williams, Sound Designer Kevin Fredrick, Editor Rohit and other technicians. 

Here are some excerpts from the occasion. 

Editor Rohit Quote: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank director Hemnath for making me a part of his ambitious project. The reason we are on stage at this festival is because of producer Prabhakaran. I also thank him. I am very happy and proud to have worked on this film. Watch this film in theaters. We are sure that this film will satisfy you. The director has been very careful and clear about what he wants. He has worked hard for this. We hope that this film will give us a good future and give you a great experience.” 

Sound Designer Kevin Quote: “When I met the film’s director for the first time, he told me that the film will have no music, and this turned into a bigger challenge for me. I had a greatest doubt and perplexities that how well I am going to create the horror impact without using music. I am glad that it has happened now, and audiences will have experience a new cinematic moment in the theaters.”  

Art Director Hasini quote; “I hope that everyone would have realized how special and unique this film is going to be after watching the trailer. So far, the horror genre has always encapsulated the aspects of spookiness, chills and thrills based one revenge. But this found footage based horror thriller is something new for all. I am confident that the film’s director will be the favourite of everyone, from kids to grown ups after the film’s release.” 

Special Make-up Artist Sheldon quote: “The film’s cinematographer has exerted a tremendous work. This was a challenging project to all of use n the team. I have personally encountered the film’s real life characters for three days in my personal experience. In fact, I got sick for a very long time, and later visited Thiruvannamalai Temple, where I was blessed by the priest. It was only then, I started working on this project. I revealed this fact on the sets after completion of shooting. I thank the entire crew for giving this opportunity to work in this film. I request directors and producers to give chance to many aspiring youngsters in the industry. Thank You.”  

Dream Warrior Pictures Guhan Quote: “I convey my wishes to the entire team that has strived for endowing a new theatrical experience to cinema lovers. After narrating the film’s plot, director showcased the trailer, and I was spellbound like you all. Later, he screened the entire film, and I gained confidence that it will click among all the audiences as this is going to be the first-ever found footage horror movie in the Tamil film industry. The entire team comprises young and vibrant talents. Recently we saw the motion sickness video, and you’ll have the experience while watching the film. Say for instanced, a camera is installed in the cabin of the car driven by actor Ajith Kumar. It shows us where the car is going. In fact, the speed of the car is 320 kilometres per hour. Such a camera gives 100 percent of the experience of racing. Another example is the experience of walking on glass on the top floor of a 1260-foot-tall building. Similarly, in a building in Dubai, you can walk on glass at a height of 760 feet. When you walk there, you get motion sickness. All those kinds of experiences are in this film. I am glad that I have collaborated with a talented team to deliver a first-of-its-kind cinematic experience. I wish best of luck to entire team, and request you all to watch the film and support.” 

Director Hemnath Narayanan said, “I thank press and media for supporting all the good and laborious efforts of the industry. Getting on with Murmur, this is a found-footage horror movie, and is something new in Tamil industry. The film is about a bunch of YouTubers embarking on a paranormal investigation journey to Jawath Hills to get capture the visuals of 7 hermits and a witch sorcerer spirit. After few days, police department goes on to investigate about their disappearance, and release the footages from the broken cameras as a documentary film. We have presented those incidents in this film. I thank Guhan sir, Prabhakaran sir and all for supporting us.” 

 

"The film's technicians have faced considerable challenges due to my demands. I will begin with the cinematographer, who was tasked with executing a 12-minute single-shot scene. We engaged in extensive practice while filming this segment. Typically, actors rehearse their scenes prior to shooting, but in this instance, the cinematographer also participated in the practice sessions. You may have noticed in the trailer that the actors appeared to be holding the camera themselves; however, it was actually the cinematographer who captured those moments. He had to manoeuvre the camera in sync with the actors' hand movements. We dedicated an entire night to filming this single-shot scene, which proved to be quite taxing for the cinematographer's team.   During my time in physiotherapy college, events were organized, yet the short film competition saw little participation from the medical community. Determined not to follow that trend, I rented a camera and began creating short films. After graduating, I spent two years directing short films and writing stories, discarding those that did not meet my standards. I sought out producers to bring some of my stories to life and quickly realized that the respect afforded to a doctor is not similarly granted to a director. Subsequently, I pursued further studies. Upon completing my advanced education, my family inquired about which hospital I would be joining, to which I replied that I intended to work in film. You have just seen the trailer for that film. I initially thought that if I were dissatisfied with the final product, I could simply set it aside, much like a short film.   From the outset, I believed this project had great potential. Every individual involved in the film dedicated significant effort to its creation, with many investing a substantial portion of their salaries into the project. We filmed numerous scenes utilizing natural light, and in some instances, we created fire to illuminate our shots. During these moments, background actors were required to run and hide as per the scene's demands. Despite the challenges, the cinematographer managed to capture these moments seamlessly. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Jason for his exceptional work.

The next individual to be acknowledged is the editor, who has contributed to this film not only in the capacity of an editor but also as an assistant director. Regardless of the task at hand or the frequency of requests, he has consistently delivered. He has undertaken the editing process nearly fifty times. I extend my sincere gratitude to Rohit. This dedication stems from a commitment to achieving the best possible outcome from each take. We have retained the film up to the point of censorship, and on occasion, even beyond that. Although I have not been involved in such circumstances, he has successfully managed the final stages of the film.

The final addition to this project is the sound designer, Kevin, who has performed exceptionally well. We invested considerable effort in locating a suitable sound designer for this film, and ultimately, we were introduced to Kevin through the recommendation of music composer Siddharth Vipin. He grasped my vision and executed it effectively, a process that took nearly eight months. Thank you, Kevin, for your invaluable contributions.

The stylist, Sheldon, has also made significant contributions. Despite his established reputation, he approached his work with a refreshing humility, avoiding any pretence. His team dedicated themselves fully to the project. Thank you, Sheldon. Lastly, the art director has played a crucial role, with the primary responsibility of ensuring the continuity of the fire scene. Beyond this, the entire village community contributed to the various tasks required for the film.

The primary obstacle we faced was reaching the filming location. Initially, we would travel by vehicle, but we would then need to navigate a challenging road. Regardless of the quality of the tires, punctures were inevitable. Following that, we would embark on a one-and-a-half-hour walk. Each day, the journey to the shooting site would consume approximately three hours, leaving us fatigued. During our trek, the local villagers shared some startling information. They informed us that due to the presence of virgins in the area, we were advised against wearing shoes and consuming meat. 

I found myself pondering how they were aware of my personal circumstances.  Hasini's contributions to this film were commendable. While her work may appear straightforward, it is, in fact, quite complex. For instance, even a simple matchstick shot required half an hour of careful shooting. We had to craft the matchstick with precision. In addition, she designed remarkably realistic sets for the village houses, which were truly impressive. Her efforts deserve recognition. Thank you, Hasini, and I wish you the best in your future film endeavors.

I thank Guhan sir from Dream Warrior Pictures for being a lovely support, and facilitating a finest release for the film. 

We obtained the necessary permissions before starting the shooting of this project. There was some delay in securing these approvals, which took around a month. However, we only began shooting after receiving the required permissions. I went to Ooty first to survey the location. It was noted that a lion could pose a danger there, while a tiger could be dangerous at another location. As for the Jawvadhu Hills, elephants and leopards are typically present only during certain seasons, and we shoot during the summer. We were confident that such accidents would not occur during that time.

Although the early stages were challenging, we ultimately secured the permissions. If I had transformed the patients who came to me for treatment into producers, I could have become a director eventually. Each patient is not just a case to me, but also a testament to incredible patience. I have not brought my profession into this scenario; I am here only as a director. This film does not include background music, as I do not believe in ghosts. I created this film to instill fear regarding something I do not believe in. My faith lies in this movie and in myself, and I have come to work on this project with that conviction.” 

Murmur will be an exotically amazing theatrical experience for the lovers of cinema, who always look up for something new and exceptional. The film will delve into the moments that bridges reality and myths laced with top-notch technical aspects, and brilliant performances by the actors. The film is all set for the worldwide theatrical release on March 7, 2025.