KOZHIKODE: It has been half a century since a young drawing teacher left Kozhikode for Chennai with celluloid dreams. He may have studied the technique of making cinema during his apprenticeship days in Chennai, but he had already learnt a good deal about the fascinating art by watching films at theatres in Kozhikode.
Hariharan, one of the finest directors in India today, is glad that it is in Kozhikode that his half century in cinema is being celebrated, from August 25 to 27. And, it is going to be an elaborate celebration — his films will be screened; papers on his cinema will be presented, and it will feature stars including Mammootty and Mohanlal.
M.T. Vasudeven Nair, who wrote many of Hariharan’s most celebrated films, will inaugurate the festival, while Shyam Benegal, one of the greatest directors of all time, will be the chief guest.
“I am happy that Benegal is coming to honour me,” Hariharan told The Hindu on Tuesday. “He is one director I have great respect for,” the filmmaker added.
On Kozhikode hosting the event, organised by the All India Malayalee Association, the Thamarassery-born director said there could not have been a more suitable place. “It was at the theatres in Kozhikode I learnt to look at the best of Indian and world cinema,” he said.
“I still remember watching Ben Hur back in the 1960s at Crown. The film directed by William Wyler is technically as good as any that you see today, though it was made in 1959. I also used to watch films regularly at Radha and Coronation,” he recalled.
A short documentary on Hariharan, being shot by V.M. Vinu, will also be screened during the programme. “I am planning to shoot it at various locations that he [Hariharan] grew up in. And of course, it will also look at the films he has directed,” Vinu said.
Hariharan, of course, has directed several memorable films over the last four decades, including Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha , Parinayam , Amrutham Gamaya , Panchagni and Pazhassi Raja .
