According to debut director Alphonse Putheran, there is a time and a place for everything. And, his time has come to make it to the big league, after a spate of short films, ad films and music videos. In fact, it was the video of an album, Yuvvh, released by Sony Music, which spurred him on to try the feature film format. “ Neram happened just like that. The lead pair is the same as from the video — Nivin and Nazriya Nazim. Incidentally, Nazriya has already done a movie for Aascar Films, due for release sometime soon,” says Alphonse. In Nalaiya IyakkunarSeason 1 , a TV programme, Alphonse had won the best editor award. “ Neram, made in Tamil and Malayalam, make a beggar into a king and bad times can make a king into a beggar,” explains Alphonse.
Fulfilling a dream
A childhood dream to become an actor has turned into reality for Prathiksha Mythili. Last year she signed her first film, Kandanam , in which she plays one of the three heroines. She started shooting on February 3 and completed her schedule in 11 days flat. “I am happy with the outcome of the film. I am also thrilled that I have signed three other films,” says Prathiksha who has already started work on Andrumudhal Indruvarai opposite a new face, Kishore. “Come March, I will start work on + or – with Rahul and thereafter, Gandhari , a horror film,” informs Prathiksha. Though hailing from Bangalore, she is intent on making a mark in Tamil films.
Directorial debut
Mahesh (of Angadi Theru fame) and new face Niranjana, a model from Kerala, play the lead in debut director Thuraivanan’s Yaasagan . Gaining experience from working as an assistant to directors Ameer and Sasikumar, Thuraivanan has conceived an interesting romantic drama. “Love inspires social responsibility in the life of the hero, who strives to work for the betterment of his fellowmen, sacrificing his own comforts and pleasures. But, due to his good deeds, his life gets a boost. This is based on a true story that happened in Madurai many years ago. I have shot the whole film in Madurai to lend authenticity to the film,” says Thuraivanan, who admits that a little bit of Ameer’s and Sasikumar’s style has rubbed off on his style of narration and direction.
Song and dance
If a person takes to direction after being an assistant choreographer for almost 15 years, one can expect the film to be filled with grand song and dance sequences. Is Aroopam, directed by Vincent, so? Says Vincent: “There are five melodious songs in the film and, yes, I have given them the best treatment. But, Aaroopam is a thriller with enough family sentiment incorporated to make it appeal to all viewers. The three protagonists are Deva (son of yesteryear actor A. K. Rajendran), Dakshita (who has done Kannada and Telugu films) and Sahana.” Aaroopam is in the re-recording stage and Vincent hopes to release it as early as possible.
