Smooth sailing
The Mariners' first Hollywood movie, DAM 999 , directed by Sohan Roy, seems to be merrily sailing along. After initial shoots in Kerala, Ooty and Dubai, the cast and crew are back in Kerala to re-shoot some sequences. The climax will be shot at the Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, where Thotta Tharani has put up an expensive set.
The film boasts a star cast that cuts across boundaries (Rajit Kapur, Ashish Vidyarthi, Linda Arsenio, Gary Richardson amongst others) and 16 National Award winners in the cast and crew. Also, the tender scenes between Vimala Raman and child star Jineeth Rath are said to have come out very well. . DAM 999 will dock in theatres in December 2010.
She's different
Going against established belief that women directors only make realistic, emotional dramas, Sudha K Prasad has conceived of Drohi as a full-fledged thriller. Having gained considerable experience under the likes of Mani Ratnam and Revathy (she co-wrote Mitr, My Friend ), Sudha says that one of her all-time favourite Hollywood films is Godfather . So, what will she make Srikanth and Vishnu do in Drohi ? Says Sudha: “The men show equal shades of good and evil. Drohi is a thriller, quite action-oriented, at times, even violent, but blood will not be spilt at the drop of a hat.”
What has she learnt from Mani Ratnam? “Discipline, planning and focus. And, a lot technically. But, the narrative style in Drohi is mine,” says Sudha, who's also cast
Pooja, Poorna and Poonam Bajwa in the film.
Getting violent
Sathyaraj makes for a dapper retired Deputy Police Commissioner in Kalavaram , under the direction of D. Ramesh. Ramesh's films, including Ulavuthurai (Vijayakanth) and Jananam (Arun Vijay), have always been loaded with messages for the betterment of society . Kalavaram is no different. Says Ramesh: “ Kalavaram is about an enquiry commission headed by Sathyaraj. When the enquiry is almost complete, there is pressure to abandon it. The unseen powers even employ the services of four youngsters to create unrest and violence.” The film has no heroine and no duets, but the fast pace is expected to see it through.
Getting real
It can't get more real than this. Thittakudi, setin Cuddalore and Perumbalur,is all about construction workers — the hero is a ‘kothanar' (mason) and the heroine, a labourer. Director Sundaran has even selected a new face, Ravi, who hails from the area, for the story. Cast opposite him is another Tamil girl, Aswatha. And, except for a few character artistes, most others in the film are new faces, and locals to boot. This, Sundaran feels, will add to the realism of the story, which speaks about the trials and tribulations of construction workers.
All about parenting
Director V.K. Gnanasekar tackles a complicated issue in Naan Sivanagiren . “The film is about parenting and parenthood. The hero (Udaykarthik) is psychologically-affected after his mother blames him, as a child, for the death of his father. He is sexually abused during his stay at a juvenile home. How he corrects the wrong-doings and seeks justice, forms the rest of the story.” Varsha plays his love interest.
