For Lenin Bharthi, it’s a story that has been growing with him since he was a young boy. Living in the cardamom plantations of the Western Ghats where his parents worked in the estates, he witnessed the struggles and trials of the workers from close quarters.
With his debut film, Merku Thodarchi Malai (Western Ghats), Bharthi realises his dream and that of his father’s — whose directorial dreams never saw light.
“There are no lead characters,” says Bharthi, who earlier wrote the story of Aadhalal Kadhal Seiveer, a poignant film directed by Suseenthiran.
“This story is about the worker community-the labourers of the estate, their struggles and the politics around them.”
While Gayathri Krishna of Joker fame and Antony play key roles, Bharthi has cast people from the local community of plantation workers in the film. Gayathri spent a month on the estate working with the women labourers to understand her role. Antony spent two years in the same estate for his character.
Bharthi said the writing of the script did not take much time. Filming was the most difficult aspect they had to deal with every day.
“Climbing up the mountains with equipments took three hours every day.”
Merku Thodarchi Malai was screened at several festivals including the New York Indian Film Festival and appreciated for its realistic story telling. Ilayaraja has scored music. Theni Easwar is the DOP.
Produced by actor Vijay Sethupathi, Merku Thodarchi Malai releases in India on August 24.
