Diplomacy isn’t one of director Ameer’s strengths. It never was. But he couldn’t care less. In fact, that is what makes him special. His scant regard for diplomacy and his candid remarks make him a fascinating conversationalist.
On a cloudy afternoon in the city, the director begins with how his upcoming film Aadhi Bhagavan will be different from what he has made so far.
“I never use my films to express my opinions. People today have a wavering mind. So, expressing my opinion through a film might not be enough to bring about change. Until now, my films have been a representation of events and people as they are. For the first time, I have departed from that style to make a complete entertainer, Aadhi Baghavan ,” he says.
But what necessitated the change in style? “I grew up watching entertainers. I have made an entertainer now out of compulsion. As a result of my last three films, Ram, Paruthiveeran and Yogi participating in International film festivals, people began speculating whether my next film too would be made for the festival circuit. Making a film and letting it compete in International film festivals is one thing, but making one just for the sake of festivals is another. I did not want to become predictable, confining myself to one genre. Apart from that, the circumstances were conducive to making an entertaining commercial film which is why I decided to make Aadhi Bhagavan ,” discloses Ameer.
Ameer is open about what to expect from his film.
“The story is simple. Aadhi Bhagavan , set in Bangkok, revolves around the conflict between a cop and a mafia don. The cop is intent on bringing the don to justice. Neetu Chandra plays a Mumbai-born girl who works in a bar in Thailand. The film has six fight sequences and an equal number of songs.”
What made Ameer pick a cop versus gangster story? Says the director: “I was to work on Kannabiran with Jayam Ravi — the story explores the relationship between a father and his child. As I had just acted in Yogi, which also revolves around a child and his kidnapper, I did not want to take up Kannabiran immediately. I therefore opted for Aadhi Baghavan , the story of which was ready by then. However, the challenge was to get chocolate boy Jayam Ravi transform himself to play a macho role. He has done a wonderful job. Just wait till the film releases and you will know what I am talking about.”
