From the calm of a village to the chaos that’s Kodambakkam can disorient anyone. Very few have the will to survive and eventually rub shoulders with their idols. Only a true film fan can give an artistic touch to their work and Lingusami’s debut film ‘Anandam’ is probably the classiest take on a middle class family in Tamil cinema. Lingusami is not just a survivor but a director who’s idolised and also a successful producer. ‘Utthama Villain’ is his most ambitious production. His stake is financial but the eagerness with which he’s waiting for his idol’s film is purely that of a diehard fan.
You invited your brothers who still run a condiments store in your village. It’s reminiscent of your first film, ‘Anandam’? Was it autobiographical?
Fifty percent of the film is autobiographical. There are four brothers and the relationship between them also one doubting the eldest is all from the past. I had come to Madras just like that and every time I returned home my mother would tell me about what’s been happening. I would corroborate the facts with the concerned people.
Like ‘Rashoman’?
Yes like ‘Rashoman’. I would take notes and was excited that a script was taking form. Around that time I got to watch ‘Hum Apke Hain Kaun’. That film was an inspiration. The triumphs and travails of a family were well portrayed. I decided to make ‘Anandam’ loosely based on my family.
Does Paramakudi have some special water? It’s thrown up talents like Kamal, Vikram and you?
(Laughs) The fact is we left the place because there was no water. I recently went back and was addressing a gathering of my old school mates. There was a downpour but nobody stirred. I told them that if it had rained so heavily back then we wouldn’t have left.
The second film of a successful director is always an acid test. You chose to transform a chocolate hero (Madhavan) into a macho man in ‘Run’.
You’re right. Many second films have been failures. Very few like Bharathi Raja and Shanker have given a row of hits. That was a fear I had. I was in a quandary. I narrated a script to Kamal. After working with Mammooty I wanted another National award winner. It didn’t happen. The target was to give a hit so I mixed love and action. I wanted it to be slick and totally different from my debut effort. ‘Run’ was pure entertainment about a boy who doesn’t retreat when told that his girlfriend’s brother is a dreaded goon. The film was a runaway success.
In your career all the films with big stars have failed. Is it the pressure?
True. We tend to forget our identity and start thinking about the star’s fan’s expectations. That’s a problem and there’s pressure. The advantage with somebody like Mammooty is that he doesn’t come with baggage. He would ask me to act out how my brother would behave. You realise that you lose your identity when you sign on a big star. I’m not blaming them.
The second problem is that when a star’s film succeeds the credit goes to him but the director is the villain if it flops. The recent example is ‘Lingaa’. Is that what happened with ‘Anjaan’?
Very true. With ‘Anjaan’ I was caught unawares. It was a concerted effort by vested interests. We found out who they were. There was a smear campaign on the internet. There were some who were plain jealous of our continued success.
Leaving that aside, viewers who admire some of your work also felt it didn’t feel like your film.
I totally agree with that. Such people will just feel bad and discuss among friends. They will not abuse me on a public platform. I felt that way when I watched ‘Dhalapathi’. I was disappointed not angry. I respect true fans of good cinema. Every film I make is an effort to get their appreciation.
You have always dreamt of directing Kamal. All the films you’ve produced have been low budget. How did you decide to produce such a lavish venture?
There was no difference between buying a ticket, watching his film and approaching him to do a film for us. I had the same passion, expectations and confidence. It’s a fan’s dream come true. He agreed immediately. I have discussed cinema at length with him. He knows I’m a fan who can recite dialogues from his films. He knows my passion for good cinema. He’s introduced such a wealth of new talent to the industry.
You approved of his script immediately.
He’s been in films for so long and this film has such a backdrop. We should produce a film that he’s excited about making.
There were rumours that you were not happy with the selection of Ramesh as director.
Not true. I was okay with anybody he chose. I know Ramesh has directed the Kannada version of ‘Sati Leelavathi’. I also know Kamal will choose the apt person. It’s not easy to get close to Kamal. Ramesh must have qualities that have impressed Kamal as a director and as a person. Kamal doesn’t suffer fools. He’s so shrewd that he had predicted the film that would win the best film prize at the Oscars this year.
So have you watched the film?
I’m waiting. I should be watching the film in a couple of days. He wants me to watch it after all the work is done. Business has been brisk.
‘Utthama Villain’ is your surrogate child. Are you still hopeful of directing Kamal?
I have to have a script good enough for him. He likes me. I can feel that from the amount of time we spend together. I’m waiting for the chance. I’m also a die-hard fan of Rajni too, but anything I write seems to fall short of my own expectations as a fan. Ramesh says ‘Utthama Villain’ will be among Kamal’s ten best films and I believe him.
