Audio Beat: On a contemporary note

A still from Nagar Puram

Nagar Puram

What it is about

GD Films’

Nagar Puram is produced by D. Arumugam and directed by N. P. Sarathy who has also written the story, the screenplay, and the dialogue. The cast consists of Akil (hero) and Srividya (heroine), supported by Manobala, T. P. Gajendran, Meera Krishnan, ‘Black’ Pandi, Ramsathya and Yogibabu. The music is scored by Arul Dev, while the camerawork is by Ajay Anand. Art direction is by Siva, and editing by Suresh M. Koteeswaran. The stunts are choreographed by Rajesekar. The story is about the differences between brothers and how society perceives them.

Music highlights

There are six songs in the album. The sixth is the theme music, which is the extended background music of the song ‘Mazhaiye Mazhaiye’. Composed in Sankarabharanam, with the chorus in Harikambodhi, this is the best track in the album. It is written by Na. Muthukumar and sung by Aalap Raju, Hema and Sam P.Keerthan. ‘Antha Devathayin’ in raga Kaapi, written by Jayamurasu and sung by Bellyraj is good, while ‘Veyile Veyile’ in ragas Sriranjani and Karagarapriya, sung by Kathik and Magathi and written by Yugabharathi, is interesting. ‘Rupthereka’ (raga Natabairavi), written by Jayamurasu and sung by Ranjith and Ramee, is sure to go down well with listeners. ‘Kokki Podu’ in Harikambothi and Sankarabharanam, written by Yugabharathi, has been energetically rendered by Tippu and Vinaithai.

What they say

Producer Arumugam: A businessman by profession, I handle power storage and distribution for a Swiss company in South India. I wanted to produce a film, but not the usual commercial variety. With this aim, I started GD Films. I happened to like a story narrated by director Sarathy and decided to produce it. I am happy with the outcome and hope the audience will like it too.

Director N. P. Sarathy: I graduated from the Film and Television Institute at Taramani and hold a diploma in film technology. During the course of my studies, I directed a short film Era Mazhai , which fetched me an award for best short film director. I went on to direct a telefilm Oruvarkal which was also appreciated. I worked as an assistant director in films such as Vaitheesewaran, Rasikkum Seemane and Thambi Kottai . I was able to convince the producer with the storyline of Nagar Puram and he asked me to complete the movie in one schedule, which I did.

Hero Akhil: I got a break as hero from director Balaji Sakthivel in Kalloori . Since then, I’ve worked in two more movies. Nagar Puram was a great opportunity for me to showcase my talent as a young city-slicker with an easy-going approach to life. It took me seven months and rigorous exercise to prepare for my role.

Music director Arul Dev: I started my career as a keyboardist and worked for several music directors, including Vidyasagar. I debuted as music director with Potta Potti directed by Yuvaraj followed by Paari and Pakkanumpola Irrukku , which had rural themes. But as the story of Nagar Puram takes place in a city, the music had to be contemporary. After the release of the audio, two songs have become very popular — ‘Devadaiyin Paarvai Patta Pothum’ and ‘Mazhaye Mazhaye’. The latter song was no. 2 on a number of websites.