'Am all set for the D'day, super thrilled about the release of my movie 'Enkitta Mothathey (என்கிட்ட மோததே)', says debutant Director, Ramu Chellappa. Revolving around the ardent fan's of Superstar Rajinikanth and Ulaganayagan Kamalhassan, this Tamil movie has created huge expectations among the movie buffs. The movie is calendered to hit the big screens by the last month of this year.
'Nowadays, it's more of flex boards than hand-crafted cut outs and paintings of the entire cast and crew of the movie. This movie will be a time-travel for the youngsters about the zealous fan following for the two supreme stars (Rajini and Kamal) during 80's and early 90's and for the elder people it'll certainly kindle their old memories', says Ramu.
Speaking to SimpliCity exclusively on his 'close to heart project', here's what the debutante director shared with us:
Ramu Chellapa's journey from a normal guy to a debutant director?
I pursued my graduation in automotive engineering. But I din't get a suitable job in that field. I was wandering in search of a job. And, that's when thoughts of making cinema triggered in my heart. Felt there was a calling for it...it connected the dots. I knew no one when i came to the cine industry all i knew was 'cinema'.
'Enkitta Mothathe' being your first movie is a very special for you. Can you share, in what it'll be special for the audience?
'Enkitta Mothathe' was a movie that was released in 1987. During 80's, a girl looking at a boy was considered as a big achievement. The communication facilities that's presently available was unavailable during those days. So proposing to a girl, wasn't that easy!
In 'Enkitta Mothathe', I've pictured a simple love story, where a guy directly approaches the girl and asks her 'I love you.... you love me or not', no flaunting around.
The movie is based on the 80's background right? So,which was the toughest part to recreate ?
Yep...we've recreated the early 90's to our best. Costumes,make-up, cut-outs, portraits, streets, mannerisms everything has been taken into account for replication. The toughest of the lot was to replicate the yester year cine theatres.
OK, is it an action masala or a comedy treat that revolves around the ardent fans of Rajinikant & Kamalhasan?
Definitely it's not of masala genre. It's a realistic and simple subject. Today's and yester year audience would love to watch. It would be a time travel experience for the yester year audience. Am sure, they'll enjoy it.
We can already guess that Natti (Natarajan Subramaniam) is going to be Rajni's fan in the movie. Can you share about the other characters in the movie?
Yes right, Rajaji has cast as Kamal's fan with Parvathi Nayar as his co-star and Sanchitha Shetty as Rajaji's sister. Undoubtedly, the dialogues delivered by Radha Ravi sir would stand apart. Another interesting role would be Vijay Murugan's character, can't exactly termed as Villain but a heightened egoistic character, which has come out extremely well. Superji Muruganandham, Vetrivel, Thatchayani are some of the other actors of the movie.
Funny/interesting things that happened on the sets?
So many interesting and unforgettable moments....One such moment was during our shoot in Tirunelveli. Our crew was getting ready to shoot near Tirunelveli bus stand. A massive cut out of MGR was placed in the junction. A passer-by who was busy rushing for his work, stopped for a brief time lit camphor and worshipped MGR and then left. I was awe-struck by the impact MGR has created in the lives of people, it's beyond being a fan.
In another incident, Natti Sir was in his regular movie costume - 'the lungi'. For shooting another scene, we actually asked him to change his costume to pants. Instead of taking the caravan, he opted to change his dress behind a tree at the spot. Unexpectedly, a drunkard came near him and recited the dialogues and his movie names in love and passion. Our crew members had a tough time to clear him off the spot.
When is the movie hitting the screens?
It's closer...yep, 1st week of December.
Your up coming projects ?
Just after a week after the new year's eve...on 8th January, 2017, my next project will commence, however am yet to confirm the artists.
With over-whelming excitement and content of putting his earnest efforts into 'Enkitta Mothathey', Ramu signs off with a thumbs-up!