Karthik Ravi’s family knew it would happen one day.
Driven by a love for cinema, this mechanical engineer quit a well-paying job at Tech Mahindra in Chennai to follow his heart’s calling.
Along with his friends, Arun Rangarajalu and Maaris Santhana Raj, Ravi set up a production house, Pathway Productions, and set rolling his first directorial venture, Kurai Ondrum Illai.
Funds for this project were raised through the online platform Indiegogo.
“Initially our friends responded to our request,” recalled Ravi. The campaign was launched in April 2011 with interesting perks for each contribution. The target set was $40,000 (Dh146,921).
“We updated the film’s progress online and our transparency with respect to the accounts brought in more funds. This is the first Tamil film made on crowd funding.”
The first year, the fund collection came to Rs185,000 (Dh11,045). “Towards the end of the shooting, we raised more funds,” said Ravi, who has written this love story.
Featuring newcomers Geethan Britto and Haritha Parokod, Kurai Ondrum Illai was shot in Thirukurungudi and its neighbouring villages near Thirunelveli.
“I have conveyed a message on the importance of recognising our shortcomings and being able to change ourselves for love,” added Ravi, who worked for three years as assistant director in Prakash Raj’s production company Duet Movies.
“It is equally important that when we point out others’ flaws, we do that in a manner that will motivate them to correct themselves and not deride them.”
Newcomers Ashok Kumar is the DOP and Ramanu is the music composer.
Kurai Ondrum Illai releases in India on October 10.
