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Actor Sathyaraj takes a dig at remake of old films

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

GREETINGs: Chief Minister N. Rangasamy with actor Sathyaraj at a function organised by Nanbargal Thottam in Puducherry.

PUDUCHERRY: After 30 years in the film industry and 170 films, actor Sathyraj said he went to shoot on Day One with a completely blank mind to act as Madhava Padiayachi, the central character in “Onbadhu Rooba Nottu.”

“The director presented me in a totally different light in this film. We started the shooting with a scene where I cry, kneeling down and praying to the land. It was a very poignant one and in one scene brought out the essence of the character, a farmer and his love for the land,” he said.

The actor was in Puducherry recently to participate in a function conducted by Nanbargal Thottam, an organisation that encourages poetry and literary works by young authors.

Taking a dig at remixes and remakes, Sathyaraj said it was not possible for classic films like ‘Parasakthi’ or ‘Nadodi Mannan’ or ‘Pasamalar’ or ‘Adimai Penn’ or ‘Azhagi’ to be remade. “Commercial victory is no doubt needed for films but then films like this one make a mark in the minds of the viewers.”

Recalling how he entered the film industry, Sathyaraj said after completing his B.Sc in Botany, he found that his parents had sold off their lands so that he could complete his course. “I had images of myself riding a Bullet and going around my lands. But since I didn’t have any lands I was forced to enter the industry. People nowadays don’t realise that hard work is needed to give out even one hit film. They think that if a person does not succeed anywhere they might as well try their hand in the industry.”

Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, who felicitated actor Sathyaraj and the film’s director Thankar Bhachan, said the Government was taking all steps to control pirated VCDs. He said the police department had been directed to take stringent action on those copying and selling pirated VCDs. Member of Parliament M. Ramadass said Thankar Bhachan’s films provided the viewers the experience of reading novels. MLA K. Lakshminarayanan said director Thankar Bhachan’s films were of a totally different genre and provided an opportunity to realise the essence of life.

Director Thankar Bhachan said he started writing the novel based on which the film was made nearly 22 years ago. And that it stood the test of time. “It is a tale that happens in a village. It is the turmoil, which a farmer undergoes. The title, ‘Onbadhu Rooba Nottu’ (a Nine Rupee note) signifies that like a 9 rupee currency note (something which is non existent) farmers too are not given their due respect,” he explained.

He said governments must not only take action against those selling pirated VCDs but also against those buying them. “When they buy the pirated version, people don’t realise how much of labour and toil goes into the making of a film,” he lamented.

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