Vaanchinathan
A crime thriller
Shaji Kailas, the director with the midas touch who is riding high on the sucess ofNarasimhamam and Valiaettan in Malayalam, makes his debut in Tamil with Vaanchinathan, starring Vijaykanth, who too is on the top of the box-office charts with the phenomenal sucess of Valaarasu. Shaji always combines an intresting storyline with a social issue that is very topical and in this film he has brought to the fore the nexus between the media barons and polticians who manipulate the law and its enforcing agencies.

Vijaykanth plays the title role of Vaanchinathan, the assistant comissioner in Chennai who is a one-man-army that defies anyone who is corrupt and evil. During one of his investigations, he comes across a health product, which is popularised through a TV channel and is produced by a powerful business group, which is harmful to the public. He decides to collect evidence and thus begins his struggle. A huge department store was setup in AVM studios by art director Naghu. An action scene was picturised on Vijaykanth and Ramya Krishna in which the former rescues Ramya from the clutches of the kidnappers. Taking a break from the shooting, Vijaykanth spoke about the film. “This film has everything that a moviegoer wants. It is not just action but also a story of brother-sister affection, and a love triangle between me, Ramya and Sakshi. So you can expect good fare,” said Vijaykanth.

Saravanan was busy filming the shots of the stuntmen doing risky feats under the watchful eyes of Rocky Rajesh. For the first time, Malayalam artistes Kalabhavan Mani and Mani C Kappen make their debut and Bollywood villian Ali Khan (of Khuda Gawah fame) makes his entry in Tamil.

Producer Khaja Moideen said that the film is scheduled for release on January 12. Khaja had earlier produced successful movies like Porkalam, Anandapoongatre, Paatali and Penin Manathe Thottu and was all praise for the sincerity of the hero and the director to their work. Prakashraj, Nazar, Seeman, Thalaivasal Vijay, Rajkapoor, Rajiv, Thiagu, Visu, Manorama, Delhi Ganesh and Pyramid Natarajan are the others in the cast.

Mani Ratnam’s sishya makes debut
Mani Rathnam’s associate, Susi Ganesan, makes his debut with Virumbikarean starring Prasanth and new find Sneha in the lead. The story is based on a short story serialised in Dinamani Kadir (an Indian Express publication) which was written by the director during his days as a writer and journalist before he joined Mani Rathnam. Susi is a man of few words. The director says that the love story is rooted in the village, away from the cities. “It is a film which follows no formula nor is aimed at anyone but is a film which is based on a story that is very dear to me. I think the combined efforts of the team have been good. Just as Vairamuthu’s lyrics abound in rural flavour, Deva’s lyrics have also the same quality. Similarly, KV Anand’s cinematography is yet another factor that has helped me. Prasanth’s dedication to the role and the sufferings that he underwent for the role are going to give this young hero a new image. Above all, producer Francis who has great faith in me, has made me confident of this film’s success,” says Susi.

The film is backed up by talented technicians like Thota Tharani for art, Suresh Urs for editing and Kannal Kannan for action. It is now nearing completion and due for Pongal release.

Sathyaraj as Mr Naradhar
Sathyaraj’s films are usually associated with double entendre and the character very mischievious and always pulling pranks. Sakti Chidambaram, the director of Yeannama Kannu which gave him and Sathyaraj a big break, is teaming up with him again in Mr Naradhar. “The film’s highlight is its dialogues,” said Sakti. “They are packed with punches and the theatres would reveberate with claps. In the introduction scene, we show Sathyaraj take a look at the labour unity statue and the fight that ensues. All this is part of the song. We show him looking at the poster of Titanic and next we see Kate Winsett being pushed into the sea. The hero creates lots of mischief but ultimately Naradhar sees that everything ends happily. He has no love affair with anyone and with Divya Unni, too, its not love”, added Sakti.

The shooting in progress at Anna Hall in Chennai was of a stage performance. Sathyaraj said that he was very happy with the way the film had shaped up and jokingly added that his choice of Sathyaraj to portray a man who has vices and indulgence in many anti-hero activities but finally does good is a safe one because no hero would touch a subject like this and he was the only choice.

“When a director comes to me with a subject, I tell him to first narrate it to others and then come to me because I am sure of their rejection,” says Sathyaraj and added that Divya Unni was the only girl to come from Kerala alone and not accompanied by sisters.

Abbas, Mumtaz, Vivek, Chinni Jayanth, P Vasu and Pyramid Natarajan have important roles. Cinematography by Nivas and music by Sirpy (its his 50th film) are the other credits of the film, which is produced by Sriyadav, of Sundar Theatres.

Ayyappa Prasad


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