Chennai, Sep 25 (NationPress) Director Pragabhal, recognized for directing India's inaugural full-length film on mud racing, is now at the helm of 'Jockey', a cinematic narrative centered around the renowned traditional Madurai goat fights.

Dr. Pragabhal states, "After the success of Muddy, India's first full-length film on mud racing, I am thrilled to delve into another captivating and exhilarating topic for Indian cinema – a tale woven around the age-old Madurai Goat Fight."

"This movie will depict goat fighting – a cultural tradition of South India that has persisted for centuries – as an engaging, emotional, and entertaining visual experience. My goal is to allow audiences to witness the unique bond between goats and their handlers, while authentically portraying Madurai’s vibrant culture with depth and sincerity. After three years of dedicated effort, I'm excited to present 'Jockey' to everyone!"

During his travels through Madurai, the director recounts how he was first captivated by goat fights, not just for their intensity, but also for the profound connection between the goats and their handlers.

"The bond that inspired the goats to fight with such fervor made me realize that goat fighting transcends sport; it's a cultural expression deeply rooted in Tamil heritage," he explains.

The director further mentions that he began documenting and researching this tradition, even opting to reside in Madurai from 2022 to pen the screenplay.

"To ensure authenticity, I recognized that the actors needed to forge a genuine relationship with the goats. Thus, we acquired goats, trained with them, cared for them, and created a real connection," shares Pragabhal, emphasizing the challenges faced during casting.

"Actors had to commit significant time, undergo physical training, and confront real risks such as injuries during practice. Two actors who truly dedicated themselves were Yuvan Krishna and Ridhan Krishnas, who accepted the challenge wholeheartedly. They lived in Madurai, trained alongside the goats and their handlers, and prepared themselves both physically and mentally. Ammu Abhirami also stars as the female lead, along with Madhu Sudhan Rao in a pivotal role," he adds.

"To achieve realism, we collaborated closely with locals and goat handlers from Madurai. Genuine goat emotions were captured authentically, with actors engaging directly. The relationship between the hero and his goat forms the emotional backbone of the narrative," explains the director, who also notes that the antagonist's role is equally robust, managing three fierce goats.

"His preparation required extensive training, significant physical strength, and an emotional connection with the animals," notes Pragabhal.

From a technical perspective, the film features cinematography by Udhayakumar and editing by Srikanth, recognized for tackling complex projects.

The film's music is composed by Sakthi Balaji, with art direction by C. Udhayakumar. Stunts were choreographed by Prabhu Jacky, while costumes were designed by Joshua Maxwel.