The humour in director Radha Mohan’s films can be traced back to his days of struggle about a decade ago. That was when a group of wannabe directors Dharani, Ramana, Radha Mohan and Viji, and actor Prakash Raj would sit together and laugh to deal with rejection and disappointment. The reel humour slips into real life too. “Our sets are a laugh riot. We work well, we party well. Even after shooting an emotional scene, we can sit back and have a good laugh,” says the director. That attitude governs Radha Mohan’s life too. Quickly forgetting the drubbing his film on honour-killing, Gouravam, received, the filmmaker has moved on to the quirkily titled comedy Uppu Karuvadu, with an unlikely pair, comedian Karunakaran and the promising Nandita. It is about people chasing a dream, who land up in a fishing hamlet. “The film is about how one must not compromise for small benefits,” says the director of hits such as Azhagiya Theeye, Mozhi, Abhiyum Naanum and Payanam . “I chose Karunakaran because I like the kind of actor he is growing into, the films he has been associated with.”
Yes, Uppu Karuvadu is speckled with humour, says Radha Mohan, accepting that the audience expects it from his films. “That has become my signature; it wasn’t intentional, but I got to make those films. It helped that Prakash bankrolled the scripts,” he says of his buddy-turned-strong-backer. This time around, Radha Mohan produces Uppu Karuvadu under his own banner NightShow Cinema with Ramjee Narasimhan’s First Copy Pictures.
Since his first hit Azhagiya Theeye in 2004, a sweet love story-cum-inspirational saga, Radha Mohan has played to his strengths — films with a strong emotional core, a steady sprinkling of humour, and some heart-warming love songs. That changed with Payanam , a hijack drama that drew audiences, something Gouravam failed to do. “I wanted to make a film about honour killing. I tried narrating the story from the hero’s point of view, but…” he trails off, trying to explain why it failed. He confesses: “I’m not against mainstream films, but you need different skills. I guess I don’t have it.” His films are timeless, though, evoking an emotional response each time they are screened on television. “That’s because of the themes. And the natural love stories,” he says. “When people tell me a film has touched their lives, I feel a satisfaction beyond commercial success.” Of course, jingling cash registers taste sweet too, which came his way with Mozhi , the film closest to his heart. “I had to fill the film with silence and still reach the audience. It was a joy and a challenge making the film.”
Coming back to Uppu Karuvadu , is it a dish that Radha Mohan loves? “No! I love seafood, but don’t eat karuvadu ,” he smiles, as he waits for audiences to taste his offering.
