“I am super nervous,” says Sneha Britto. The 18-year-old filmmaker’s Sattam Oru Iruttarai (a remake of the original film made in the 1980s) releases today. Her grandfather, S.A Chandrasekhar (director of the original), writes the screenplay for the new film.
In a quick chat, the young filmmaker shares what she expects from the new film.
How relevant is Sattam Oru Iruttarai today and why did you choose to remake it?
It’s a beautiful script that lends itself for a remake. My grandfather wrote the script 30 years ago and the film went on to become a super hit in Tamil. So did the remakes in Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam.
In the new film, there is action, the dominant force of the film, and a cute love story too. It’s an entertainer that has an undercurrent of humour and sentiment. We have stuck to the original script, but the making style is contemporary. We shot the film in Red Scarlet X in Macau, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Bangalore, Puducherry, and Chennai. The love angle is my favourite part. It was a great opportunity to work with established actors such as Reemma Sen. She essays the role done by Hema Malini in the Hindi version. I have dubbed for Piaa Bajpai too. In one word, the film is a love-action-drama.
Can you recall some memorable moments during the making of the film?
The opportunity to meet and interact with stars who have been associated with the film. I met superstar Rajinikanth who acted in the Hindi version, Andha Kanoon . The film was his launch pad in Hindi. He advised me on time management and planning so that I don’t waste time during filming. Kamal Haasan played a part in the Malayalam film. He told me: “Never stop learning and don’t confine yourself to a boundary”. I also met Vijayakanth (the hero in the original), and Chiranjeevi who performed in Telugu. All the stars told me how language is never a barrier for a script that is universal.
What are the pressures of working on a remake?
It was challenging, because the original film was a huge hit in all languages. The pressure to recreate the magic made me responsible in my approach. My grandfather guided me. Actor Vijay, too, pepped us with his feedback. They have travelled with us through the journey and are happy with the way the film has shaped up.
What kind of films do you enjoy watching?
Romantic comedies. I enjoy masala films too, with kuthu songs thrown in for good measure, and pacy Telugu movies packed with action and high-energy dance numbers. I look up to director Mani Ratnam. The way he plays with visuals and conveys emotions is extraordinary. I am huge fan of my grandfather too.
