The audio release of ‘Inidhu Inidhu’ is round the corner (August 1) and its director, cinematographer Guhan, is excited. “Mickey J. Meyer, the composer, enters Tamil with ‘Inidhu …’ I’m confident the songs will play a major role in the film’s success,” he smiles.
The outing is expected to be very different. “You’re right. Prakash Raj has envisaged a whole lot of events to make the numbers reach the public in a big way.”
So how do they intend going about it? Guhan’s enthusiastic refrain continues: “It won’t be the regular album release show we are used to. The ‘Inidhu Inidhu’ team will visit shopping malls in the city, introduce the songs to the public, conduct small contests for them and distribute freebies including audio CDs of the film, and T shirts. And August 1 being Friendship Day, special bands to suit the occasion are also on the cards. The first halt will be at the Ampa Skywalk from where the group shifts base to City Centre, and following it they’ll be seen at the open area at Sathyam Cinemas. “We also plan to go to Coimbatore, Tiruchi and Madurai in open vehicles for the promotion.”
‘Inidhu Inidhu’ is a remake of Shekhar Kammula’s ‘Happy Days,’ the Telugu sleeper, which went on to make waves all over the South (and in the U.S.).
The lens man, who drew attention for the aesthetic look he lent to ‘Mozhi,’ enters the fray in another avatar -- as director – with ‘Inidhu Inidhu.’ The dual responsibility ought to have been taxing. He refutes the suggestion. “I enjoyed every moment of it. I’ve imbibed a lot from the directors I’ve worked with -- Radha Mohan’s sensitivity and S.J. Surya’s passion, to name a couple. My perspectives will be a combo of their strengths.”
Why go in for a remake then? “Life is a box of chocolates, they say. You don’t know which one will come to your hands. I prefer making use of the opportunity I get,” is the succinct reply. When at the 100{+t}{+h} day celebrations of ‘Mozhi,’ out of the blue Prakash Raj asked him whether he would direct the Tamil remake of ‘Happy Days,’ Guhan felt he couldn’t have asked for a better debut.
Songs were a significant reason for the success of ‘Happy Days.’ “Exactly, that’s why we decided to bring in its composer Mickey for the Tamil version too. We’ve retained two of the original tunes and got three new ones from him,” says Guhan.
Vairamuthu’s yen for chaste Tamil is well known. But Meyers doesn’t know a word of the language. Yet for two of the songs, the tunes were set to the verses he had already penned. In fact, a prayer song in the film has been taken from a compilation of Vairamuthu’s poems. “Mickey was able to tune the words in keeping with the mood. The lyricist was greatly impressed,” laughs Guhan. “Though it is a film about youth and takes place almost entirely in a college campus, we don’t have fast paced numbers that you attribute to youngsters. It’s melody all the way and it’s divine,” and noticing my skeptical silence he adds, “I’m not exaggerating. You’ll soon know.”
