Producer-director, Dhanapal Padmanabhan's debut film, Krishnaveni Panjaalai currently awaiting release, documents the lives of mill workers who lived in the Udumalpet region of Coimbatore between the late '50s and early '90s. Woven into the script is a romantic story penned by Padmanabhan.
Hemachandran, who has earlier acted in small roles, plays the lead opposite newcomer Nandana. Rajeev Krishna also plays a significant role.
Suresh Bhargav, (former assistant of Balu Mahendraa,) is the cinematographer, while Raghu Nandan (of Thenmerku Paruvakaatru fame) has scored the music. Lyrics are by National Award winner Vairamuthu.
"In those days, mill workers commanded a respect similar to software professionals of today," says Padmanabhan, whose father worked in a textile mill.
"When I wanted to make my first film, I thought of telling a story that I was familiar with. Most of the characters have been fleshed out of reality. It's an honest film and I am confident that it will appeal to viewers."
In a novel way of marketing the film, Padmanabhan will be employing the services of women's self-help groups in Tamil Nadu. Pamphlets on the film have been distributed among a 100,000 members.
"For the first two days after the release of the film, these women will be given ticket coupons. They will make a profit of 10 per cent on each ticket," said Padmanabhan, who runs Minveli Media Works, an animation company.
Last year, Padmanabhan held an orientation workshop for around 103 MBA students from 40 colleges in Tamil Nadu. His film was taken as a case study and students identified the challenges of marketing a film.
"These students will also work towards marketing the film when released," added the director.
Prem ready for his debut
Prem Nizar makes his debut with Ishtam, starring Vimal and Nisha Aggarwal (Kajal Aggarwal's sister, who is making her entry into Kollywood).
Written by Sampath Nandi and produced by T. Ramesh, the film has music scored by Thaman and cinematography by Shekhar Joseph.
Nizar, who last assisted Chakri Toleti on the sets of Unnai Pol Oruvan, says, "This story is about two software professionals who make hasty decisions and how that affects their lives. Vimal and Nisha play the main roles. Nisha played the heroine in the original too.
"Santhanam lends humour to the story. His chemistry with Vimal is wonderful," Nizar says.
Jayaram's jumbo film
Coming up tomorrow in India is actor Jayaram's Thiruvambady Thampan, directed by M. Padmakumar, whose film, Vaasthavam, won the Kerala state award for Prithviraj.
The film, written by S. Suresh Babu, centres around a Christian family of Thrissur, the Thiruvambady household.
"This family is the descendants of one of the 63 families invited to set up business by the erstwhile ruler, Sakthan Thampuran," Padmakumar says.
Playing the senior-most member of this household is Jagathy Sreekumar, with Jayaram playing his son. Their family business involves elephants and the paraphernalia required for temple functions.
"Trouble starts when their competitor owns a superior elephant," says Padmakumar.
So the father-son duo travel to Sonepur in Bihar (known for its annual Gajamela) to purchase elephants. Nedumudi Venu plays a significant role, while Haripriya is Jayaram's onscreen love interest. This road movie involved shooting with more than 40 elephants.
"It speaks of the father-son bond with ample doses of comedy, love and suspense," adds Padmakumar.
