"WHY EVERYBODY LOVES VIJAY SETHUPATHY?", LAKSHMY RAMAKRISHNAN
Interview Team : JyothsnaLakshmy Ramakrishnan after an impressive debut directorial Aarohanam, is ready with her second film interestingly titled Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathey. In an exclusive chat with Senior Editor Jyothsna Bhavanishankar, Lakshmy tells about her film, the cast, the genre, its USP and many more.
How did you come up with a title like Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathey?
While we were discussing about the title, we wanted it to be different, attention grabbing and curiosity inciting. The film has got something to do with lorry which is the most important feature (in the film) and it is normal to find such interesting phrases behind Lorries. And secondly, it also sounds a little sleazy and people would wonder WHY this title. That’s the reason!
When and how was NVM conceived?
The idea was there during the times of Aarohanam. During the Delhi rape incident, I was emotionally affected and wanted to make a film. But how was I going to go about it, what was I going to say? Was I going to show the pain or the violence? What is the purpose? All these questions were going on in my mind and I wanted to do something in a different angle. All the same I did not want to be branded as a feminist and was keen to do a film that was different from Aarohanam.
All said and done, cinema is an entertainment business and audience should have a fun ride when they are in theatres. And therefore where do I strike the balance? The thought was there and it slowly took shape in the form of NVM.
Cinema is an entertainment business
How did you convince your producer?
A V Anoop of AVA productions is producing NVM. He was very happy with Aarohanam. When I told him the story of NVM, he did a couple of reviews and when he saw the final draft, he was very very happy.
Hero Shabeer
I have one major problem. The moment I decide on something I need to complete it at once. I can’t wait. I don’t have the patience of waiting for one year or more for the dates of big heroes. In fact a couple of leading heroes and heroines would have given their dates to me as they were impressed with my Aarohanam. I wanted a good hero who should be available at my convenient time. I knew a newcomer only would fit the bill. We scouted extensively for hero and got Shabeer.
It was interesting how Shabeer came on board. I saw a paper advertisement of a film and I liked the hero of that film. I asked Dilip Subbarayan to send me the hero as he was the stunt master of the film. But by mistake he sent me the villain (of the film) and he became the hero for NVM. It was fated for him. Now I realize only Shabeer could have done this role so beautifully. I can very proudly say we have given a very promising hero to Tamil cinema in terms of height, personality and talent. You will all like him. Shabeer is someone with a Tamil nativity looks. Why are Sasikumar and Dhanush so popular? Because they look like Tamil men. Why do you love Vijay Sethupathy? They all look like namma veettu paiyyan and Shabeer is just that.
Shabeer only could have done this role so beautifully
Pia and Shruti Hariharan
There are two types of girls-one is modern, outgoing and on other side if you look at village girls, they would be leading a disciplined life but are extremely strong willed. They are actually two sides of a coin. They are different but similar. I needed a contrast to showcase this difference - a girl with a village nativity and a modern outgoing contemporary girl. Pia and Shruti are the two contrasting girls. Pia has done a wonderful job. Shruti Hariharan is a brilliant actress. It was a pleasure to work with her. I am proud to introduce her in Tamil.
Other cast members
AL Azhagappan sir has done an important role. Thambi Ramiah sir has rocked in his performance. Audience would feel bad when his portion finishes. Besides that, Ambika Ma’am, Viji and Bala Saravanan have done their parts very well. I have done a small cameo
Genre of the film
It is a road film. A lorry travels from Trichy to Karaikal, it is three and a half hours drive. But it takes 14 hours to reach the destination. What happens in the fourteen hours? Who are there in the lorry? Why is the lorry going from Trichy to Karaikal? These things form part of the film. It is a travel film where you will travel with the lorry.
We have shot in 40 different locations because there are four different stories one each of Pia, Shruti, Shabeer and the lorry, plus the petrol crisis. Lorry track will be the main track. In the petrol crisis, the lorry travels. It is a multi narrative with 2-3 parallel stories and a milieu and everything will converge at one point.
NVM is a travel film where you will travel with the lorry
Camera work
Camera is by Vinod Bharathy for whom NVM is his first Tamil film. He has understood the demands of the script and has delivered very well. He has done 8 films in Kannada and 3 films in Malayalam. His dates were available and he was quite eager to work in this film. He had an excellent attitude and is extremely hard working.
Music
Madley Blues of Sutta Kadhai fame have scored music. Shankar Mahadevan after recording a song called to say that it was one of his best songs. I was so happy for the boys! Chinmayee, Nandini Srikar and Mili Nair have sung the songs.
Being a woman director
I would say there are certain advantages being a woman director. In a year, when there around 200 films being released, there would only be around 4 women directors and we would definitely be noticed. That is definitely an advantage. The second advantage is that I can portray a woman from a woman’s point of view. When an issue is being discussed with woman’s perspective, we stand apart.
If at all there is a challenge, it is only from within. We (women) feel that it is OUR sole responsibility to take care of the house, husband, children, and family and if we are not able to do these, we feel guilty. So the challenge is more from within than outside. Of course there are ego issues but to me they are not big enough because Solvadhellam Unmai has put me in a different platform. Besides that, being the mother of three girls has worked to my advantage.
Solvadhellam Unmai has put me in a different platform
Acting or directing- what are your plans?
I want to take it up as it comes. I have three stories and the producers are also ready. But I have to enjoy what I am doing. Even with this film, I am not here to impress anyone or prove myself to anybody. I am learning. There is so much more to learn and it’s such a wonderful experience. Concept for the next film is there with me. But the vigor (to do) should explode from inside. And that’s when the magic will happen. Only then I will do. I don’t want to pressurize myself.
Again I have another priority. As I said, being a woman, my priority is my family and I want to spend some time with my husband and children.
Of course, when good script or role comes along for acting, I would definitely take it up. I want to be involved with films which would break my image. I want to do village oriented films and want to experiment.
I am not here to impress anyone
Did Mysskin see NVM?
He is busy with his work. He is yet to see. I have a lot of Mysskin influence which you may have noticed in Aarohanam. But it is not there in NVM. I have deliberately made NVM a vibrant, nice, bright, colorful. It would be a different genre.
NVM is a vibrant, nice, bright and colorful film
USP of NVM
It is an original story straight from the heart and is not been picked from anywhere.
Characters in NVM are its greatest highlight. They are all real people. Even though, it is fiction, all the people are real and they all would react naturally and not artificially.
A travel movie is always enjoyable. Different locations and there would be variety and there would be movement. NVM is a pacy film and will move very fast, there would not be any lag.
Here is wishing Lakshmy Ramakrishnan and the team of Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathey a grand success!
NVM is an original story straight from the heart and is not been picked from anywhere.
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