“AIYOO, YENGALODA POTTIKU VARAPOREENGLAA” - DIRECTOR SHANKAR
Interview Team : D Meera Chithirappaavai; Ashok Kumar; Jeevakaran; Venkat; JyothsnaEditor Anthony is all set with his debut directorial Oru Naal Iravil (ONI) which will hit the screens this Friday, November 20th. Ahead of its release, this man known for being the scissors of many a big director's work engages in an extensive conversation with Meera.
‘Director Anthony’ - Is this a dream or it just happened eventually?
No. It is definitely not a dream to be a director. I am a person who takes each day as it comes. I don’t plan anything in prior. In fact that is how I landed into the editing field. I was pursuing a course in Animation and a friend of mine invited me to edit few ad films. All of a sudden in 2003, Gautham Menon gave me the ‘jeep song’ in Kaakha Kaakha and I completed editing it overnight. After watching the edited version of the song, Gautham decided to rope me into Kaakha Kaakha as the editor for the entire film.
Director Vijay always refers few films to me. Shutter was one such film. When I was occupied editing a film, Vijay asked me if I would like to direct the Tamil remake of Shutter and I said yes.
Almost all directors who edited their own films have joined the list of LEGENDS. Does this boost your confidence or gives you a sense of fear?
It gives me both. As an editor who has edited so many films, if I fail as a director it is a big put off. There is a sense of fear in that aspect. There is a sense of hope as editors who turn directors are highly confident about their skill. I say this because, while editing, an editor studies every single frame in terms of art direction, camera angles, lighting, performance and also the improvement of these aspects take after take. So an editor should definitely do well as a director.
Editors who turn directors are highly confident about their skill.
How difficult was it to edit your own film as you tend to own every scene as a director who shot it?
For me editing and directing are the same. The only difference is, while directing you are doing some work manually and study the frame on field whereas while editing you are studying the frame in an air-conditioned room. I own the films that I edit too. Unless an editor owns the film, he/she cannot give his genuine feedback on a scene to the director. By feedback I mean appreciations, criticisms and demanding for re-shoots etc.
It was a bit difficult because I had already edited the film in my mind and converting that into real life editing took some time.
I own the films that I edit too.
Who gave you the third person view post your rough cut?
During the shoot, I knew exactly which portion of a shot I was going to use, which camera range has the best dialogue delivery and so on. How I study the rushes in my edit table, I studied it on the spot. But I did feel a slight pressure as I had to give the judgement for a film that I have directed; that made me take some time to edit the film. So, I invited my associate director to come in as that third party. I actually do this for many other films that I edit. My assistants sit and first assemble the footage before I see it.
There is a director in the producer AL Vijay. How beneficial was it…?
He poured in a huge amount of support and made everything I demanded available to me. If I had some comfort issues in shooting on a particular day, he readily rescheduled it for me. At no point he pressurized me, like any typical producer.
He just dropped in once to the sets to wish us and then he never interfered in the canning process. He gave me the whole responsibility to take care of the direction department.
I needed some assistance in script, screenplay, songs and lyrics as I haven't worked under anybody as an assistant director, Vijay gave me that much needed guidance. My assistant direction experience is through editing.
As I watch the rushes even I understand why a particular shot has 4 takes, what gradually improved from the first take to the final take, like any other assistant director. So that learning came to my aid when I was sporting the director’s hat.
At no point he pressurized me, like any typical producer.
Why choose a remake for a debut directorial?
Safer know? (Smiles)
Shutter is already a hit in Malayalam.
Why Shutter of all films ?
I edit a lot of commercial and larger than life films. I edit differently for different stars, that makes me cut my films ‘for’ the audience.
But as an audience, I like watching realistic films that touch me. Exaggerations does not impress me while simplicity, neatness and down to earth knots impress me. Having said that, Shutter is a kind of film I like.
Usually people might expect editor Anthony to make an action thriller with a chase, fight, rap song but I wanted to present something that is more difficult to do. Oru Naal Iravil is a story based movie where I had to tap out emotions from artists.
Exaggerations does not impress me.
Experience of being in charge of two major tables, the scripting table and the editing table that declare the fate of a film…
On the edit table nothing was done. I have shortened some scenes that are not required in the introduction part while scripting itself. This film takes off only after the 15th minute. I have edited a lot of things in the script itself to suite our brisk and energetic Tamil audience.
So are you going to actively participate in the scripting process for the films that you edit in future?
I am a kind of person who does not like to listen to the story before I edit. All films from Enthiran to Sivaji, I understood the story as I was editing. Even if they give me the climax portion first I do not edit it first. I unveil the story in the process of editing. That makes it interesting for me to sit down and work.
It is challenging in a way as I can manipulate and alter things even if the story is bad.
I unveil the story in the process of editing.
‘I’ is definitely a film that all who worked in it will hold it high with a sense of pride… As the editor what makes ‘I’ a special film for you?
I am very proud of being a part of ‘I’ because everything is top class in that film. Direction by Shankar, performance by Vikram, mindblowing makeup, picture perfect art work, Rahman sir music, cinematography by PC Sreeram, the beautiful Amy Jackson, a story with good commercial appeal and what not? So when you're part of a project of this level it is obvious to be super proud of yourself. ‘I’ will always remain as one of my favorite films.
The casting idea for ONI
Usually when I watch any movie in any language, some casting idea keeps striking me. Like this person could do this role if made in Tamil. Even before Vijay offered me to remake this film, when I watched Shutter, as I saw Lal, I saw Sathyaraj sir. So as soon as Vijay asked me to direct the film both of us opted for Sathyaraj sir without a second option.
We had few options for Anu Mol’s role but after seeing her impressive filmography we fixed on her as she has done a lot of art films and prefers to perform in a realistic manner. She is a Malayalee so she had watched the original version before and I must say, she has done a fabulous job.
Varun had worked for AL Vijay during Thalaiva, so through that contact he came in. Yugi Sethu is a friend to me and he looked apt to play the director role in the film and he also obliged to write the dialogues for us.
As soon as Vijay asked me to direct the film both of us opted for Sathyaraj sir without a second option.
Giving the commands ”Rolling and action” to a performer like Sathyaraj…
He is a person who likes to take up different kinds of scripts, characters and who wants to look different in each of his films. Being a first time director, I was a little scared to talk to him. In just few seconds he broke the ice by being humble, straightforward and approachable.
With just the narration of a scene he will come up with his performance design and will start giving suggestions. I had to just give him genuine feedbacks and he would oblige to implement them in his work. It was a great experience working with him and he is purely a director’s artist.
What was Shankar sir’s reaction on your decision to direct?
“Aiyo, engaloda potti ku varaporeengla” was his funny comment where I am nowhere close to being his competitor. He was very humble and gave us a video byte wishing us luck for Oru Naal Iravil. He is well aware that my directorial ventures will noway stop me from being an editor, such is his understanding of me.
Enthiran 2…
The pre-visualisation has started. It is going to be a tough project, at the same time an interesting one too! I don’t believe in homework but for Enthiran 2, I need to sit down in the ideation process as saving a scene is equal to saving a lot of money.
It is going to be a tough project, at the same time an interesting one too!
Your contribution to the industry in your view point…
I went out of the way and edited Kaakha Kaakha. I didn't bother to check out the film editing grammar nor was I intimidated about my experience with just editing ad films and music albums. I was very chilled and casual. I considered every scene as an advertisement. I broke all the rules that was set on stone. I think only after that editors loosened up and got relaxed.
I broke all the rules that was set on stone.
Message to upcoming editors…
Do what your heart says, at the same time don't over do it.
Your vision with respect to the growth of our Indian film industry
I wish there is more updation with respect to softwares that will help technicians like us. So, as more and more options come in we can also explore more.
So now that you have completed your film tell us what you like doing… editing or directing…
I like both equally but editing has been ‘my’ thing from 1994. I will always be called ‘Editor Anthony ’
The title change from night show to oru Naal Iravil
We wanted to retain the title as Shutter. Vijay came-up with the title “Night Show” but later people suggested that a Tamil title will be a better option. So we firmed up with Oru Naal Iravil. It was completely Vijay’s call.
Next set of Editing ventures…
Work is going on for Gautham and Simbu’s Acham Enbathu Madamaiyada and I just wrapped up GV Prakash’s Pencil. AL Vijay is starting a new film and Paiya’s Hindi remake is about to kick start.
Next directorial venture ….
It will happen if it comes to me or if some script strikes me or if any similar remake option is offered or if I have a gap amidst my editing schedule. So nothing is decided yet and I first want to check on the reception Oru Naal Iravil garners before planning anything for the future.
Wish you all success sir!
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