‘The regions I show are an integral part of my stories’

Director Seenu Ramasamy talks about his friendship with Vijay Sethupathi and how he ended up with the title 'Dharma Durai'

Rajinikanth film titles are always in demand. All the same, you don’t expect a director like Seenu Ramasamy to go in for such gimmicks. He laughs, “It wasn’t my idea. I had named it Dharmam. Producer R. K. Suresh suggested Dharma Durai and he approached Sudhish Ramanathan, the son of S. Ramanathan, who had produced the Rajinikanth-starrer directed by Rajasekhar. He was bowled over when Sudhish gave him the title for free, as he didn’t think it would be right to take money for a title that stands for goodwill and benevolence.” Seenu sees the gesture as a good omen for his film .

It has been 25 years since Rajinikanth’s Dharma Durai was released, and Vijay Sethupathi plays the namesake, this time. It was Seenu Ramasamy who introduced Sethupathi as hero in Thenmerku Paruvakaatru — the 2010 film that went on to win national awards for Saranya Ponvannan and Vairamuthu. Dharma Durai is their third outing together. Idam Porul Yaeval , their second, is complete, but is yet to see the light of day. “It will come out soon. Probably after Dharma Durai ,” Seenu’s voice spells optimism, with no trace of the angst of a creator whose diligence is yet to bear fruit. “That’s because Idam Porul ... has come out well; Vijay Sethupathi and Vishnu have put up a good show, the producers are happy, and its just a matter of time before it releases.”

The bonding between Sethupathi and the director was evident at the recent press meet for

Dharma Durai . Seenu says, “Did you listen to him? I don’t even remember the kindness he was talking about at the event. Once I finished scripting

Thenmerku …, I saw Sethu at my office and thought he would suit the role. He was my film’s hero and I treated him with the courtesy he deserved. That’s all,” he says. It wasn’t easy for Seenu when

Idam Porul ... hit a roadblock. “I tried to move on to my next, but the responses ranged from ‘Let

Idam Porul... come out and then we’ll see’ to ‘I have a few ideas. Why don’t we use them?’ which means compromises all the way. At that point, Sethupathi, the hero of my unreleased film, comes over to my place, gives me dates, gets me a producer who’s impressed with the

Dharma Durai script and allows me complete freedom to make it the way I’ve visualised it! What more could I have asked for? Sethu’s help in making

Dharma Durai possible is immense.” The hard-hitting reality, Seenu’s acceptance of it and his candour stump me. “I felt my mentor Balu Mahendra was holding my hand and showing me the road ahead. I dedicate

Dharma Durai to him.”

Sethupathi plays a doctor in

Dharma Durai . “But don’t for a moment think it is a critical view of doctors and their profession. My emphasis is on the significance of medicine as a field of study and the importance of life itself. It is an honest take on the goodness in people. And as always, I’ve preferred the middle path — meaningful cinema with a few commercial elements. A wholesome family entertainer,” he smiles. Dharma Durai comes out with a U certification, on August 19.

Landscape is a distinct feature in Seenu’s films. “It has to be. The regions I show are an integral part of my stories. Look at world cinema — it acknowledges authentic depictions of a land and its people. Iranian cinema, for instance, shows life in Iran, right? Then why are we going elsewhere with our stories?” he asks. So where is Dharma Durai set? “He travels to Madurai, Tenkasi and Kodaikanal. Sukumar’s camera that worked wonders in Mynaa and Kumki has captured the locations’ scenic beauty. Also, RR (re-recording) is a crucial part and Yuvan has done ample justice.”

Dharma Durai has four female leads. “Tamannaah, Aishwarya Rajesh, Srushti Dange and Radhika Sarathkumar — I’ve wanted to work with Radhika for a long time. She plays Sethupathi’s mother.” On the others, he says, “Tamannaah’s is a realistic role. Aishwarya plays a village belle, and I chose Srushti for the innocence in her eyes and her smile. She plays a medical student.”

With Dharma Durai, Madhuvanthi Arun also enters tinsel town. “I watched her in the play, Perumaaley, and was stunned by her talent. She plays a small but important role. Rajiinikanth, her uncle, told her, ‘Seenu is an intelligent director. Go ahead.’ Another positive sign. S. Ramanathan blessed me through his son, and Rajinikanth has sent me his good wishes too.”