In a candid interview with Ginger Media, actor Archana Kavi elaborately talked about how her dream debut as a writer for films was put on the back burner after the release of the much-revered Kollywood film 96 in 2018. The plot of the modern-day classic was strikingly similar to the world Archana was building inside her head. Despite being a strange case of coincidence and completely unintentional, Archana suffered, as she could no longer proceed with her movie — something along similar lines had already been made.

It all dates back to a few years ago. "See, everything was set — my first film as a writer. I wanted Mohanlal in the lead and the masterful Vidya Balan opposite him. Aashiq Abu was supposed to direct the film. I wanted to bring back that innocent charm of Mohanlal on screen, something that he has mesmerised us with over the past few decades. But that was not meant to be," says Archana.

96, starring Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha Krishnan in lead roles and directed by C. Prem Kumar, released and won the hearts of critics and audiences alike.

"In a serious case of misfortune, the kind of world I was knitting together for Mohanlal and Vidya Balan was aptly covered in 96," she stated.

"People just lapped up Ram and Janu as if they were their own. It won’t be an understatement to say that the film has achieved a cult status."

"I had finished the initial drafts, Lalettan liked the subject, and with just months to go before the shoot was to commence, 96 released — and eventually, we had to drop the entire project," says Archana Kavi.

Despite her frustration at the stroke of bad luck, the actor remains optimistic about life, hoping it will take her to better places and bigger accolades.

Archana Kavi, in the interview given a few months ago, admitted that she hadn't watched 96 till then. All of this reflects the misfortunes, coincidences, and pressures in the film world — which is definitely not as glossy as it seems from the outside, with an artist’s fate rewritten every other Friday.