“I discontinued my studies so, when I was given this film, I did not know anything about World War II. So I had to do a lot of research on the Net. I spent three to four months watching old war movies and reading about the second World War,” says Sahi Suresh talking about his preparation for Kanch . Kanche The art director from Madanapalle had always dreamed of working in films like Bhairava Dweepam but this film for him is a revelation.
Kanche is about the barriers between people, countries and why they should not be there; there is a love story that runs on parallel lines. Suresh talks of recreating the look of the 30s and 40s. “We shot in India and Georgia as well. Since the 1935-40 look was required, we went around many villages and zeroed in on Thatipaka. There was a village near Thatipaka called Peruru and we felt it was appropriate.
All the villages now are developed, you will find water tanks, taps, roads etc. So to undo the whole thing, at least partially, we spoke to the biggies in the villages and requested them to fill the roads with sand, cover it up and make it look under-developed. We white washed the houses and removed the colours/paints. After the shoot we got their original colours back.
The villagers cooperated to a great extent and the output came out well. All the homes are cement constructions, so to bring in the old effect,our staff of around 70 people came from the city to bring the ambience. The nativity feel came alive with coconut trees being seen from a distance.
The temple also was given an ancient look. The hero and heroine study in Chennai, hero pursues a part-time job in a club. So we created the Chennai Cultural Club.”
The director earlier worked on Venkatadri Express which revolved around a story that moves in a train, so working on a railway platform and train was not entirely new.
He had to focus on steam engines and the first class compartments for the interiors in the train. He points out that Ramoji Film City came as a blessing. “We did everything in RFC. We designed the steam engine there and that is only possible in RFC. They had the basic equipment and we had to develop it.”
Sahi Suresh’s next focus was on the heroine’s house which was mammoth in size, as she’s a Zamindar’s daughter. It was a gruelling four or five days work and they spent Rs. 40 lakh just on the house. The hero’s house on the other hand is a set in the village. For the war in Georgia and even in India, the producer did a lot of home work and acquired some weapons from the museums. He avers, “We didn't disturb much. We made some weapons but sourced the tanks. I think the result is outstanding.”
