Music to the ears
This one seems like a good USP, all right! About 60 musicians from the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra have participated in the background score of Thoonga Nagaram , under the baton of Chief Conductor Yan, known for his work in many Hollywood films. “The sound recording for the film has been done at Sono Records in the Czech Republic. Incidentally, this is the same studio where A.R. Rahman recorded the soundtrack of The Warriors of Heaven and Earth . All the songs, composed by Sundar C Babu, have been mixed here,” says director Gaurav. The film stars Vimal of Pasanga fame and Bharani ( Nadodigal ).
So, what sets this score apart? “First of all, many of the instruments used are unique to this region and lend a different kind of effect. Secondly, the mixing techniques give clarity to the sound produced by every instrument,” points out Gaurav.
Gender-bender
Journalist-turned-director Vijaya Padma's Narthagi is said to be a path-breaking film about transgenders. “I've depicted the journey of a boy who grows into a transgender. The adult character is played by Kalki (a transgender herself) who embraces dance as her profession,” says Vijaya Padma.
The director hopes that the film, “which has the necessary commercial elements”, will dispel all myths surrounding transgenders. Narthagi has been given an A certificate by the censors, and is being remade in Hindi too, again by Vijaya Padma.
Success calling?
With successes such as Paruthiveeran, Aayirathil Oruvan, Paiyya and Naan Mahan Alla under his belt, Karthi is confident that his forthcoming Siruthai, a Pongal release, will be a hit with the masses. “It's an out-and-out commercial film targeted at the entire family,” says Karthi. There's news on the personal front too. “My parents are looking out for a bride for me,” he smiles. Any preferences? “Someone like the character Tamannaah plays in Siruthai …a simpleton, but beautiful and, yes, fair,” he quips! Reel life gets real, Karthi?
Rural vistas
In recent times, many Tamil films have realistically depicted rural life. For city dwellers, these have been a welcome change from typical Kollywood potboilers. Udumban is set in a village milieu too, but promises to depict the “never-before seen” life of people in an interior belt between Madurai and Rameswaram. Says director Ramji S. Balan: “The inhabitants of these localities don't have any constructive work to do; they practise a unique fighting technique and revel in skirmishes. No one knows what they do for a livelihood. This is where my hero, Udumban, lives.”
Learning curve
K.V. Guhan's background as a cinematographer helped when he took the plunge into direction with Inidhu Inidhu . Not many know that Guhan, who showed great promise behind the camera in films such as Mozhi and Payanam, is director Saran's brother. “My career started with a Hindi film, Khushi , directed by S.J. Suryah. In Telugu, the Mahesh Babu-Trisha starrer Athadu has been a landmark film in my career. I prefer to direct and crank the camera as, that way, I'll have complete control over the medium. At the same time, I like to shoot for other directors, and learn something new in the process,” says Guhan, who's preparing for his next venture with Duet Movies, with which he has had a long association.
