S. Sashikanth, known for producing films like “Kaadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi,” “Kaaviya Thalaivan,” “Irudhi Suttru,” and “Vikram Vedha,” is making his directorial debut with the film “Test.” Starring Madhavan, Siddharth, Nayanthara, and Meera Jasmine, the movie will be released directly on Netflix on April 4.

When asked about the OTT release despite having big stars, Sashikanth said that he sees this as a great opportunity as Netflix has a vast global audience. His aim was to reach viewers worldwide on the same day, making the streaming platform the best choice.

On becoming a director, he shared that he started as an architect but always had a passion for storytelling. Initially, he turned producer to learn filmmaking properly. He wrote the script for “Test” 12 years ago and refined it during the pandemic before deciding to direct it himself.

While the movie has cricket elements, it is not solely about the sport. It explores a critical moment in the lives of three characters. The film also features an India-Pakistan match scene where real cricketers, except Siddharth, were cast for authenticity.

The cricket sequences were filmed in Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium, requiring nine months of wait. Specialized camera techniques, as used by Star Sports, were employed for realistic cricket shots.

On casting, Siddharth was the first choice for the role of Arjun. Nayanthara was envisioned for her role during scriptwriting, and she agreed due to similarities with her real-life character. Convincing Madhavan took time, as he pushed to refine the script further.

The film marks the debut of singer Sakthi Gopalan as a music composer. Sashikanth, who was her professor, recognized her talent and emphasized background music in the movie.