Con City director Harish Durairaj breaks down thanking wife at trailer launch
Synopsis
At the Con City trailer launch, first-time director Harish Durairaj broke down thanking his wife — an IT professional who ran their household for five years on her salary alone while he earned ₹10,000 a month as an assistant director. It's the kind of behind-the-scenes story that no press release captures, and it landed harder than any film promo could.
Key Takeaways
Con City director Harish Durairaj broke down on stage at the film's trailer launch in Chennai .
His wife supported the family for nearly five years through her IT industry job while he earned just ₹10,000 a month as an assistant director.
The couple were in a relationship for seven years before marrying in 2020 , despite opposition from her family and friends.
Con City stars Arjun Das and Anna Ben , with music by Sean Roldan , and releases on 26 June 2025 .
The film also features Yogi Babu , Vadivukkarasi , Imman Annachi , and Akhilan in supporting roles.
Con City director Harish Durairaj broke down on stage at the film's trailer launch event in Chennai, delivering an emotional tribute to his wife who stood by him through years of financial uncertainty — even as family and friends urged her not to marry him. The film, a comedy family entertainer starring Arjun Das and Anna Ben, is set to release on 26 June 2025.
The Emotional Moment on Stage
Speaking last among the film's team at the trailer launch, Harish thanked several collaborators before turning to the most personal acknowledgement of the evening. As he began speaking about his wife, the director visibly struggled to hold his composure, breaking down briefly before collecting himself to finish his speech.
'I haven't done anything for her,' he admitted, pausing through tears. 'I think everything will be well after this film,' he added, to applause from the audience.
Seven Years of Love and Sacrifice
Harish revealed that he and his wife had been in a relationship for nearly seven years before they married in 2020. During that period, and for the five years since their wedding, his wife — who works in the IT industry — had been the primary breadwinner of the family while he pursued his filmmaking career.
At the time of their courtship, Harish was working as an assistant director, earning just ₹10,000 a month. Several people in his wife's circle reportedly discouraged the match. 'Many people asked her if she was going to marry an assistant director earning just ₹10,000 a month. Several people told her that she would struggle in life,' he recalled with what he described as a painful smile.
His Wife's Defiant Response
Rather than yield to the pressure, his wife reportedly turned the question around on her critics. According to Harish, she responded: 'Why is it that he should earn and look after me? Why can't I earn and look after him?' That quiet defiance, the director said, had sustained him through the years it took to bring Con City to the screen.
This comes amid a broader cultural conversation in Indian cinema about the personal sacrifices behind debut films — stories that rarely surface at promotional events but resonate deeply with audiences when they do.
About Con City
Written and directed by Harish Durairaj, Con City features Arjun Das and Anna Ben in the lead roles, with Yogi Babu, Vadivukkarasi, Imman Annachi, and Akhilan in pivotal parts. Music is composed by Sean Roldan, with cinematography by Aravind Viswanathan, editing by Arul Moses A, and production design by Raj Kamal. Costumes are by Navaa Rambo Rajkumar, lyrics by Mohan Rajan, choreography by Santhosh, and action sequences by Action Sandhosh.
With its trailer now out and a release date of 26 June 2025 confirmed, all eyes are on whether Con City can deliver on the promise of its emotional backstory.
Point of View
But the specifics matter: a ₹10,000-a-month assistant director, five years of a wife's IT salary keeping the household afloat, and a debut film finally at the finish line. Tamil cinema has a long tradition of celebrating its stars; it rarely pauses to acknowledge the unglamorous economics behind a first-time director's journey. That Harish said it plainly — 'I haven't done anything for her' — without dressing it up, is what made it land. The industry would do well to hear that more often.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Harish Durairaj and what is Con City?
Harish Durairaj is a Tamil film director making his debut with Con City, a comedy family entertainer starring Arjun Das and Anna Ben. The film is scheduled to release on 26 June 2025.
Why did Harish Durairaj break down at the Con City trailer launch?
Harish broke down while thanking his wife, who had financially supported him for five years through her IT job while he worked as an assistant director earning ₹10,000 a month. He credited her unwavering support as central to his being able to make the film.
What did Harish Durairaj's wife say when people discouraged her from marrying him?
According to Harish, his wife responded to critics by asking: 'Why is it that he should earn and look after me? Why can't I earn and look after him?' She reportedly stood by him without hesitation despite opposition from family and friends.
When did Harish Durairaj and his wife get married?
The couple married in 2020, after being in a relationship for nearly seven years. Since their wedding, his wife has been the primary earner in the household while Harish worked toward his directorial debut.
Who else is in the cast and crew of Con City?
Besides leads Arjun Das and Anna Ben, Con City features Yogi Babu, Vadivukkarasi, Imman Annachi, and Akhilan. Music is by Sean Roldan, cinematography by Aravind Viswanathan, and editing by Arul Moses A.
