Out to make it big
She has it in her genes to be an actor. After all, her grandfather Subramaniam has done numerous character roles in several Tamil and Telugu films in the Sixties. With the aim of making it big in films, Susiq enrolled in Raack Dance Academy, learnt western, folk, salsa and classical dance styles and performed with the troupe at several events. “Finally, one day, an offer came my way and although it was not to play the lead, it was an important character in the film Vilambaram . I play the hero’s friend and both of us work in an ad agency. I am paired with Thambi Ramiah,” says Susiq. Vilambaram is K.A. Suriyanidhi’s directorial debut — he has worked under Sundar K. Vijayan and K. Balachander in his TV serials. “The hero is Abhinay, Gemini Ganesan’s grandson, and the heroine, Hairaa. The talkie portions are over and we are into post-production,” informs Suriyanidhi. Meanwhile, Susiq is busy reading scripts to choose her next role, hopefully the lead.
Highway to success?
His earlier outing was the successful Suriya-Jyothika starrer, Sillunu Oru Kaadhal . Director Krishna is now getting ready with Nedunchalai featuring Aari and Shivatha in the lead. Nedunchalai , for which Krishna has also penned the story and screenplay,revolves around a real-life incident that affected roadside dwellers along a highway. Says Krishna, who has another film Yen Ippadi Mayakkinai awaiting release, “The story is more like a biography of the hero and the heroine, and showcases the life of people alongside a highway which passes through Theni. Being an action-romance film, there are a lot of thrilling scenes in it. Set in the Eighties, Nedunchalai will portray the life and emotions of the people who live and run their small businesses, such as a dhaba, alongside the highway.”
Love and separation
Veteran actor Bhanuchandar’s son Jayanth ( Marghazhi 16 ) is the hero of Neengatha Ennam . Directed by Shahjehan and co-directed by Selvaraj, the film under production is touted as a family drama and has Ankitha as the heroine. Says producer Sanjay Prakash: “Director Shahjehan has showed how love blossoms and matures between the lead pair — from infatuation during school days to serious love in their college years. Due to unforeseen circumstances, they split, showing tremendous respect for each other. What was the reason for their split? Will they get back together? Will love prevail over extraneous factors? That’s what we have endeavoured to portray in Neengatha Ennam .”
One-man show
Rajasuriyan is a multi-tasker — he has written the story, screenplay, dialogue and the songs besides collaborating with music composing, directing and producing Nesam Nesapaduthey . Obviously, this gives Rajasuriyan control of all the areas of filmmaking. For this rural-based film, the director has chosen two new faces, Vendhan and Arasi. Shot extensively in Theni, Ramanathapuram and Manapparai, the verdant countryside enhances the plot.
