Thiagarajan Kumararaja says that his win as the best debutant director at the National Awards is yet to sink in and he is still reeling with the shock. But Aaranya Kaandam is no stranger to recognition as the film won the Grand Jury award at the South Asian Film Festival. But just before its release the film ran into trouble with the censors who gave it an A certificate and demanded as many as 52 cuts.
SPB Charan the producer fought them in court and ultimately prevailed. Kumararaja says he owed his producer a lot. After all the trouble Aaranya Kaandam faced, the National Award is the icing on the cake for both of them. The director said they are talking about re-releasing Aaranya Kaandam as interest levels in the film have never been higher.
