ShotCuts

A still from Adhu Vera Idhu Vera

Don of a new life

Actor Varshan was the second lead in Nanbargal Gavanaththirku . Son of yesteryear actor Jayan, he is currently doing the lead role in Adhu Vera… Idhu Vera . Director M. Thilakraja has cast Saniathara opposite Varshan. The story revolves around the premise that most youngsters from rural areas come to the city (in this case, Chennai) with two goals: become a film star and get rich quick. “But, the hero in this film has only one aim — to become a don. Along the way, he falls in love, and how this emotional relationship changes his life forms the story of the film,” says Thilakraja.

Love after a storm

Director Ezhil is known for films such as

Thullaadha Manamum Thullum , Pennin Manadhai Thottu , Poovellam Un Vasam , and Deepavali . After his recent Manam Kothi Paravai , Ezhil has launched his next Desingu Raja . The film stars Vimal and Bindu Madhavi in the lead. Desingu Raja takes place in two neighbouring villages, where respect and reverence are accorded to family relationships. Of course, there is enmity and rivalry between families, and heads of families hold power to influence the very livelihood of family members. The film revolves around how the younger generation of these sparring families falls in love — which could either escalate the friction or act as a means of cementing new relationships.

South connection

Director Subramanian Janardhanan, known in Bollywood circles as Raju Subramanian, started his career under Sunil Dutt with his Ajanta Arts banner. In 1994, Subramanian’s

Zakhmi Dil was the second film for Akshay Kumar. Thereafter, the director did two more films —

Kanyadaan and

Monopoly , before he switched to TV serials. Now, Subramanian has returned to his roots — Chennai, so to speak — with a murder mystery,

Kandanam , with new faces. “Recently, I co-directed

Chikki Mukki and

Manithana Iru . Then, I came across a story written by Tarun Takshay from Mumbai, and decided to write the screenplay and direct

Kandanam with Vishal, Karthik and Sai Rakesh paired with Kamali, Zita and Mythili.”

Kandanam is being simultaneously shot in Tamil and Telugu.

Luxurious ride

After directorial ventures, including Muthukku Muthaga and Goripalayam , Rasu Madhuravan is currently also producing his seventh film Sogusu Perundhu . He has cast Jaani (of Renigunta -, Vayasu 18 -fame) and Yuvan ( Sattai ) alongside Liyasree ( Peranmai ) and Leema. “The story takes place during a bus journey from Chennai to Madurai. Of the two heroes, one is a city-bred boy while the other is from a village. They bond during the journey, and by the end of it, are as good as brothers. Though laden with comedy, the film also has romance,” says Rasu. Sogusu Perundhu is currently in its post-production stage with the re-recording underway.

Subtitle woes

Apparently, decisions regarding subtitling a film are always a last-minute thing; sadly, producers and most directors have not yet seen the importance of this technical need for a South Indian film, especially when it is screened in overseas markets. Rekhs, a subtitling professional, faced a unique problem with the work she did for David . Says Rekhs, “Since I wanted to subtitle the film, I had approached the director well before the dubbing was locked. But the producers felt it would be easy to supervise it, if done in Mumbai. Later, apparently, they were not happy with the outcome and approached me at the last minute to do fresh subtitles. Despite lack of time and several constraints, I finished it, only to find that the earlier Mumbai version of the subtitles were incorporated in all the physical prints and some digital ones sent abroad. The reason cited was, want of time. After spending crores of money and so much energy on a film, what is the point if it is not correctly understood by the non-Tamil audience?”