Etcetera: Full-length comedy

Saraswathi Sabatham

There seems to be a talented team behind Saraswathi Sabatham . Director Chandru gained tremendous experience under directors C. S. Amudhan and Venkat Prabhu. Cinematographer Anand was an assistant of Nirav Shah. Music director Prem learnt the ropes under Harris Jayaraj. And, Chandru has a group of talented actors to lead the cast — Jai, VTV Ganesh, Sathya, Rajkumar and Niveda Thomas. Incidentally, Chandru is also a dialogue and lyric writer ( Thamizh Padam ). “Interestingly, Vairamuthu and Madan Karky are the lyricists for this film; I have consciously stayed away from writing any song, as I wanted to concentrate on the story, screenplay and direction. Saraswathi Sabatham has no resemblance to the earlier classic of that name. But, the title gains a lot of significance as an important part of the script. The film is a full-length comedy but will also have action and romance to make it a family entertainer,” says Chandru.

Loaded with suspense

From his first film

Poonthota Kavalkaran (1989) till his latest

Paarvai which is his 30 film, director Senthilnathan has explored almost every genre. “But

Paarvai will be different as I have spent close to four years writing the story and perfecting the script. It is a thriller with murder and suspense in equal doses. This is probably the first time a dual role is being played by a newcomer. Arulraj debuts as the hero and composes the music. Jyothisha, Flora, Leema and a Russian actress Palin are cast opposite him. Meanwhile, I am giving the finishing touches to another film,

Thada, which has Vinod, Arulraj and Jyothisha in the lead roles,” says Senthilnathan, who does not wish to reveal the plot of

Paarvai.

Spotlight on refugees

Director Ajay’s Ravana Desam is a two-hour feature film about the search for identity by Tamil refugees in every part of the world. “Ever since the ethnic conflict erupted in Sri Lanka, lakhs of Tamils have sought refuge in many parts of the world. The refugee situation is not unique to Tamils from Sri Lanka. India has seen the influx of refugees from Bangladesh too. The refugees lose their freedom, identity and self-respect in a new land and their very existence becomes difficult. Ravana Desam is about how humanity suffers as a consequence of the devastating happenings in different parts of the world,” says Ajay who has also acted in the film along with Jennifer.

On cloud nine

He is literally on Cloud Nine, for it is the latest production house that has signed on actor Jai for his forthcoming film to be directed by Venkat, an associate of Venkat Prabhu. “I am lucky to have worked with the best of banners, scripts and technicians — Aascar Films, Photon Kathas, Fox Star Studios, AGS Entertainment and now…Cloud Nine! I understand the budget is Rs. 15 crore which will make it the biggest film in my career. The music is to be composed by Anirudh,” says an ecstatic Jai.