An eye for realism

Filmmaker Seenu Ramasamy talks about his movies that are thought provoking yet engaging

Seenu Ramasamy.

Just three movies old in Kollywood, director Seenu Ramasamy knows his limitations and does not meddle with subjects he is not comfortable with. He has successfully warded off commercial challenges to emerge as a filmmaker with an eye for realistic portrayals.

“Filmmaking is a chance given to me and I see every opportunity as a weapon to prove my worth to the society,” says Seenu. Bagging three national awards for his second movie Themerku Paruvakatru , he made his guru Balu Mahendra proud.

Koodal Nagar or

Thenmerku Paruvakatru or

Neer Paravai , Seenu’s movies are a detailed study of the social history of the people in different geographical landscapes. For instance,

Thenmerku Paruvakatru happens in the ‘Marutham’ land (crop land) with squabbles between two families. The setting of

Neer Paravai is ‘Neithal’ landform (sea shore), characterising pining and is about the lifestyle of the fishers.

“It is difficult to separate people from the land on which they live. Their livelihood is dependent on the land mass. A character can’t be portrayed in isolation from the landscape. For example, the barren land is the reason for people involving in robbery,” says Seenu.

His latest , Idam Porul Eval , is set in the verdant locales of the Kodaikanal hills, covered in ‘Kurinji’. The movie is about people who venture out in pursuit of land, wealth and job. Featuring Vijay Sethupathi, Vishnu Vishal, Nandita, Ishwarya and Vadivukkarasi in lead roles, the film is under production and is expected to roll out after Deepavali. Yuvan Shankar Raja has composed the music with Vairamuthu joining him for the first time. “It is a meaningful movie. Part of the story happens in the plains,” informs Seenu.

Is staying away from commercial cinema tough? Seenu says he is not averse to commercial cinema and he is following the master craftsman Balu Mahendra. “I learnt the art of crafting a scene from him. Though he is not for ‘formula’ movies, Balu Sir brought the two extremes, art film and commercial movie, closer and created a middle cinema fit for screening at international festivals and at the same time commercially viable,” he says.

Seenu widened his horizon with exposure to films and literature. He also had an opportunity to watch select movies from all over the world such as Bicycle Thieves and Rashomon. . “He never bothered about your academic qualification. He believed literature is the soul of the movie and created plenty of opportunities for us to read world literature and cinema. I learnt much from his comments on cinema.”

Seenu feels modern day directors don’t have the freedom to experiment. “It is extremely challenging to function as a director today. If people like Bharathiraja, Balachander and Balu Mahendra emerged in the 80s, they had the liberty to express themselves better. But I have my task cut out,” he notes.

But he firmly believes that films that are closer to reality always succeed. Also known for making small budget films belonging to the middle cinema category, Seenu says he knows he us swimming against the current. “The scenes may be difficult for the common audience to digest. If I can tell my story convincingly, I will succeed.”