Short film, big impact
Here is an MBA graduate, totally in love with films, who quickly moved from an advertising job to join director Agathiyan as an Assistant Director. Says Ganesh Marees: “One of my all-time favourites is Vinnai Thandi Varuvaaya and I wanted to do something to keep the VTV flavour alive.” Ganesh made a 14-minute short film, Jessie Returns , and posted it on YouTube. The film has attracted over 43,000 views since its release a month ago. “I entered it at the SpoofhMania, an international spoof film festival held at Delhi, by Film Booth. It was not intended as a degradation of the original VTV , but the premise was: What happens if Jessie falls in love with Karthik’s alter ego?” asks Ganesh. The cast includes Naje, Bhuvi, MAC Mani and Preethi, with cinematography by Sudharshan and editing by Anto.
Feel-good flick
A screening for a 300-plus audience at IIT Sarang and an appreciation video note from director A. R. Murugadoss have given director Ganesh Kumar Mohan a shot in the arm. His 40-minute short film Kuttimaa is ready for a full-fledged theatrical release. “The cast includes K. R. Rangamma, Yeskay, Shweta Gupta and Pandian. A feel-good family entertainer, this movie made on a shoestring budget has been shot extensively in Coimbatore, Tiruchi and Bangalore. It portrays the relationship between a humorous grandmother living in a village Kuttimaa and her reserved, modern grandson Krish. Following the tremendous response, I have screened it at the AVM Preview Theatre and plan to hold special screenings in other cities, too,” says Ganesh, who worked as a software engineer in Bangalore for five years before venturing into filmmaking.
Different role
When he decides to end his life, he comes across six people who stand in his way of achieving his goal — this is the premise of the Yuvaraj Dayalan-directed Nagesh starring Viddarth as the central character. For Viddarth, this is a challenging role, different from what he is playing in Aal and Jannal Oram under production. “To take up a role named after the legendary actor Nagesh is itself a gratifying thought. Irrespective of all the fun and humour the character portrays, there is a melancholic side to him. I am quite kicked about this script and the role I play. Looking forward, I am keen to start work with Ajith Kumar in the Vijaya Vauhini Productions’ untitled film; for years I have been dreaming of working with Ajith which will come true in March when we start shooting. Meanwhile, it will be Nagesh which will keep me occupied,” says Viddarth. “The film and its main character have nothing to do with the legendary actor Nagesh,” clarifies director Yuvaraj Dayalan ( Potta Potti 50:50 ). The heroine is Manisha Yadav.
Super Singer-actor
As he watched Aajeedh perform and finally win the Airtel Super Singer Junior title 2012, director Ashik realised that the 10 year old was good at both emoting and singing. He promptly cast him in Vu . Then he came to know that his music director Abhijit Ramasamy also had similar intentions, making him sing a song in the film. “It finally turned out that Aajeedh sang a song, ‘Thikki thinarudhu devadhai, vetkappadudhoru poomazhai’, which was picturised on him as he plays an important role in Vu . He sings the song, written by Murugan Mandiram, with another small girl, B. Shruthi,” says Ashik.
Vazhakku Enn 18/9 wins
The Festival du Film d'Asie du Sud Thématique (FFAST), jointly organised by Aanna Films and SAPNA, has just concluded in Paris. Tamil films Vazhakku Enn 18/9 and Pizza were the official entries in the competition section. Says Agilane Pajaniradja, founder of Aanna Films: “I'm happy that Vazhakku Enn 18/9 has won the Best Movie Award at our Festival. M. Balaji Shaktivel, the director of Vazhakku Enn 18/9 , received the award. Producer M. Lingusamy was also present.”
