Dejavu turns 4: Director Arvindh Srinivasan shares heartfelt note
Synopsis
Four years on, Dejavu is still introducing its director to the world. Arvindh Srinivasan's anniversary note reveals something quietly significant — a Tamil debut film that outlived its theatrical run to build a pan-India identity on OTT, with audiences in Hyderabad and Mumbai still stopping the director to talk about it.
Key Takeaways
Dejavu completed four years on 22 July , with director Arvindh Srinivasan marking the occasion with a public gratitude note.
The Tamil investigative thriller starred Arulnithi and was Srinivasan's debut directorial.
Srinivasan said the film's OTT longevity has given him a pan-India identity, with viewers recognising the film in Hyderabad and Mumbai .
He described audience curiosity about his next project as 'a responsibility' rather than pressure.
The director thanked producers WCF2021 , PG Mediaworks , Muthaiah G , and the full cast and crew.
Tamil filmmaker Arvindh Srinivasan marked the fourth anniversary of his debut directorial Dejavu on Wednesday, 22 July with a heartfelt note of gratitude, reflecting on the investigative thriller's enduring audience connect across OTT platforms and beyond Chennai. The film, which starred Arulnithi in the lead, continues to draw new viewers years after its theatrical release.
The Director's Reflection
Taking to his social media timelines, Srinivasan wrote: 'Four years of #DEJAVU. It's hard to believe that #DEJAVU completed four years today. As a debut director, I could never have imagined the kind of love this film would continue to receive even after all these years. Every time someone tells me they watched it on OTT and enjoyed it, it feels just as special as it did on release day.'
He added that the film had given him an identity that precedes his own name. 'Whenever I meet someone new and introduce myself as a filmmaker, many of them recognize the film before they recognize me. That's a blessing I'll always be grateful for,' he said.
A Story That Travelled Beyond Tamil Nadu
Srinivasan noted that the film's reach extended well beyond its home base. He said he had experienced audience appreciation not just in Chennai, but also during visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai, where viewers approached him to share their thoughts. 'Those conversations remind me that stories can travel farther than we ever imagine,' he wrote.
This cross-regional traction is notable for a Tamil-language debut, pointing to the growing role of OTT platforms in giving regional cinema a pan-India audience long after theatrical runs conclude.
On the Question 'What's Next?'
Srinivasan acknowledged that nearly every professional interaction ends with the question of what he is working on next — often accompanied by the query of whether it will match Dejavu's tone. Rather than treating this as pressure, he framed it as a responsibility. 'I don't see that as pressure. I see it as a responsibility — to keep learning, keep improving, and keep telling stories that connect with people,' he said.
Gratitude to the Team
The director used the anniversary post to thank the film's producers WCF2021 and PG Mediaworks, producer Muthaiah G, lead actor Arulnithi, and the full cast and crew. 'Thank you for making #DEJAVU such an important chapter in my journey. Here's to many more stories,' he wrote, signing off with anticipation for future projects.
Point of View
Or whether the weight of a beloved debut will shape — and perhaps constrain — the stories he chooses to tell next.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dejavu and who directed it?
Dejavu is a Tamil-language investigative thriller directed by Arvindh Srinivasan in his feature debut, starring Arulnithi in the lead role. The film was produced by WCF2021 and PG Mediaworks.
Why is Dejavu's 4th anniversary significant?
The anniversary highlights the film's sustained OTT audience connect, with director Arvindh Srinivasan noting that viewers across Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai continue to engage with the film years after its theatrical release. It underscores the growing role of streaming platforms in extending the life of regional debut films.
What did Arvindh Srinivasan say about his next project?
Srinivasan said almost every meeting ends with the question 'What's next?' and often 'Will it be like Dejavu?' He described this not as pressure but as 'a responsibility to keep learning, keep improving, and keep telling stories that connect with people,' though no specific project was announced.
Who were the key people Arvindh Srinivasan thanked?
Srinivasan thanked producers WCF2021, PG Mediaworks, and Muthaiah G, lead actor Arulnithi, and the entire cast, crew, and audience for keeping the film alive four years on.
How has Dejavu performed on OTT platforms?
According to Srinivasan's own account, the film continues to attract new viewers on OTT, with people regularly telling him they watched and enjoyed it on streaming — a reach that extends beyond Tamil Nadu to cities like Hyderabad and Mumbai.
