Medai and Yamuna

What's special about Medai and Yamuna?

At the audio launch of Yamuna.

Medai

What it is about…

Medai , under the direction of S.N. Arirajan who has also written the story and dialogues, is about theatre artistes and how they are perceived by society. An interesting aspect of the film is the cast comprising look-alikes of popular stars — Siva (MGR), Das (Sivaji Ganesan), Kadhir (Kamal Haasan), Mohan (Rajinikanth), Kumaresan (Vijayakanth), Kaliappan (K.Bhagyaraj), Madhavan (Vadivelu), Prasath Raj (Prakash Raj), Venkatachalam (Manivannan), Manikkam (Nagesh) Sekar (Chandrababu) and Pugazh (Simbu). Balamurali has handled the camera, while Athish Uthriyan has scored the music. The audio of the film was released recently at a function presided by Justice T.N. Vallinayagam. The first CD was released by Abirami Ramanathan and received by actor Rajesh.

Music highlights

There are three songs in the album. The title number ‘Medai,’ written by Anthony and sung by music director Athish himself, passes muster. The second, ‘Azhage Azhage,’ also sung by Athish, is a beautiful number written by Sruthi. The last one on the album, written by Thamizh Kumaran and sung by So.Pa. Haritha along with Athish, is targeted at the masses.

What they say…

Producers L.K. Anthony, T. Kathiresan, C. Pazhanichamy and C. Ravichandran: Though we come from different fields, we joined hands to make a wholesome entertainer with a message for society.

Director S.N. Arirajan: As [L.K.] Anthony is a dance master, he used to tell me about the plight of stage performers. We wanted to tell the world that they should be treated with respect. After filming Medai , I screened it to a select audience who liked it very much. I’m sure Medai will go down well with the masses.

Hero Pugazh: I am a graduate from the Athur Government Arts College. I migrated to Chennai, in the hope of becoming an actor. I learnt dance and participated in TV shows. It was thanks to dance master Anthony that I landed the lead role in Medai . I’ve given it my best and am eagerly waiting for its release. I hope people recognise my talent and I get more film offers.

Music director Athish Uthriyan: I am basically a guitarist. This is my ninth film. Medai is a different kind of story and I am fortunate I got to score the music for it.

******

Yamuna

What it is about…

The story of Yamuna , produced by Jaikarthik and Viruthai M. Pandi and written and directed by E.V. Ganeshbabu, is about how people living below the poverty line are exploited. Elakkiyan has set to music the lyrics of Vairamuthu. B. Lenin has edited the film, while Po. Chidambaram has handled the camera. Sathya and Sriramya play the lead. The others in the cast are Chaaums, Aadukalam Naren, Engeyum Eppodhum Vinothini and Pasanga Sivakumar. The audio CD of the film was released by director S.P. Muthuraman and received by producer Kalaipuli S. Thanu.

Music highlights

There are six songs in the album, each with a different theme. ‘Oho Otrai Panithuli,’ sung by Prasanna and Saindhavi, is the best. ‘Oru Ponnapparu’ sung by Rahul Nambiar and Sam P. Keertan is interestingly interspersed with rap portions. The enchanting sounds of timbales and flute dominate ‘Pennai Nambathe,’ rendered by Sam P. Keertan. The other good songs on the album are ‘Dimba Dimba’ sung by Manasi, ‘Oru Koottu Puzhu’ by Padmalatha and ‘Oh Nenje’ by Haricharan. The last mentioned number, where rawab, oud and duduk have been used, sounds sensuous.

What they say…

Producers Jaikarthik and M. Pandi: It was love for cinema that brought the two of us together. When we decided to make a movie, I remembered my long-time friend [E.V.] Ganeshbabu and called him over for a story discussion. With over 15 years of experience in the field, we felt he was the right person to handle this subject. And he proved us right — the film has come out well.

Director E.V. Ganeshbabu: As an actor, I have played important roles in movies such as Autograph, Bharathi, Mozhi , and Sivakasi . Oruthi , in which I played the hero, was shown in the Indian Panorama of the International Film Festival of India in 2003. After years of experience I decided to direct a film. Yamuna is my dream project. It is based on the events that happened in my friend’s life.

Hero Sathya: I choose acting as my career after completing B.E. I joined director Balu Mahendra’s ‘Cinema Pattarai’ to learn the basics of acting. I approached many directors for a chance. When I met director [E.V.] Ganeshbabu, he asked me to come for an audition. Though Yamuna is my debut flick, the entire film unit appreciated my performance when shooting was in progress.

Music director Elakkiyan:Yamuna marks my debut as music director. I have learnt Carnatic as well as Western music and have cut a number of albums. I have worked on Urumaatram , a short film based on environmental safety which won a national award, and Parai , a documentary. In Yamuna , not only the songs but also the re-recording has come out well.