Directors Kumaran Rukmangathan, Rajeshkumar Subramanian and Rajkumar Krishnan, winners in different categories on the Nalaiya Iyakkunar TV show, have received further recognition for their short films Ctrl+Z and Veechin Thaakam which have been selected for the non-competitive and competitive sections respectively, of the forthcoming Kanyakumari International Film Festival to be held in Thiruvananthapuram from July 21.
Says Kumaran: “ Ctrl+Z is a fantasy film with a non-linear screenplay. It is about a mobile phone that curiously reverses a given situation for the caller, the moment a person answers the call. When the call ends, it reverts to the present situation. The protagonist Jeeva’s birthday starts out quite bad. Accidentally he finds the mobile, realises the benefits and enjoys the constantly reversing situations. Does the effect last?”
What’s Veechin Thaakam about? “It is a period film set during the freedom struggle days. Just before Independence, E.V. Ramasamy Periyar organises a meeting about social problems at Sathyavijayanagaram. Three youths from the same town plan to disrupt the meeting to show their anger against Periyar. All along, a little girl has been watching them. Whether they succeed in their plan forms the climax,” says Kumaran.
Tale with twists
Coming into prominence with Attakathi , actor Dinesh is busy with another interesting project being produced by Abhishek Films (which also produced Vikraman’s Ninaithathu Yaro ) and directed by R. Sashidharan. Paired with him is Haripriya, while the hunt is on for a second heroine. “ Vaarayao Vennilave is a stylish and tender love story with unexpected twists and turns. For a song sequence involving college students, we created an elaborate set inside the old Woodlands Hotel in Royapettah, at a cost of Rs. 25 lakh. This is a place where college students regularly meet and exchange views. This is also a place where romance and misunderstandings develop,” says Sashidharan who has earlier assisted director Pavithran and written the screenplay and dialogue for Chennai 28 .
Just for laughs
Following the success of Manam Kothi Paravai , the producers are making a hilarious film, Pappali . Featuring Senthil (of Saravanan Meenakshi fame) as the hero and Ishara, Pappali also has Saranya in an important role. “In fact, the story revolves around Saranya’s role. After Thenmerku Paruvakatru , this will be a milestone in her career. Pappali is a serious comedy with a liberal dose of romance. There are five melodious songs as well,” says director A. Govindamoorthy, this being his third film.
