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Tamil films hog the limelight

S. Aishwarya and Meera Srinivasan

‘Kanchivaram’ outdoes ‘Chak De India’
A demanding role, says actor Prakash Raj

CHENNAI: Tamil cinema emerged top of the charts on Monday with an impressive count of four awards in the kitty as the 55th National Film Awards 2007 were announced in New Delhi.

‘Kanchivaram’ outdid Hindi favourites such as ‘Chak De India’ and ‘Taare Zameen Par’ and won the ‘Best Feature Film’ award. The citation commended it for “presenting a rare portrayal of Kanchi’s silk weavers’ community and… a vibrant story and technical excellence to create a total cinematic experience.” This film had already received a host of regional awards and much critical acclaim.

Speaking to The Hindu, its director Priyadarshan said the making of the film was a gratifying experience for him. “The award means a lot to me as I have always been tagged a commercial filmmaker. This is the first time in 25 years of my career that I tried to make a movie with a social message.” The film, based on the lives of silk weavers in Kancheepuram, revolves around a protagonist who promises to buy a silk sari for his daughter. “The heart-rending irony is that the weavers who make silk saris all their lives would never be able to afford one.”

The film has been screened at 14 film festivals so far. Observing that the movie drew mixed response from critics, Priyadarshan said he was confident that the film would be received well.

Working with Prakash Raj, who won the ‘Best Actor’ award for this film, had been inspiring and exciting, he said. “He has lived the role. He did the movie without accepting any salary… such is his love for cinema.” The director will shortly make a movie on the struggles of persons with HIV/AIDS.

To actor Prakash Raj, this award means a lot, for he feels that ‘Kanchivaram’ was very “demanding.” “The script was intense and it gave me tremendous opportunity to look inward, unlearn a lot of things that I had learnt as an actor.”

The character of the weaver played by him is said to be powerful and portrayed with rare sensitivity. Prakash Raj says he approached the script as a story of a powerful human being and looked at the role in the same light. “I’m grateful to Priyan for having trusted me and giving me such a role. I owe it to our entire team of technicians,” he said, promising to be part of more such interesting ventures. The actor, who has shown much versatility, particularly in roles in films such as ‘Iruvar,’ ‘Gilli,’ ‘Vasool Raja,’ and ‘Mozhi,’ is adored by Tamil film buffs.

Chennai-based special effects company Indian Artists, which worked on Rajinikanth’s “fair man” look in ‘Sivaji,’ has the national award for Best Special Effects. “Nobody has tried changing the colour and tone of the skin this way using special effects,” says T.K. Jayakumar, one of the directors of the company. “It was director Shankar’s concept. We [Jayakumar and V.S.M. Mohan, the other director] merely executed it,” he says.

The animation studio Mayabimbham has won the ‘Best Animated Film’ award for India’s first 3D-animated movie ‘Inime Nangathan.’ “We expected an award, since this is a novel initiative. Our next animation film will be ‘Puratchi Thalaivan,’ in which an animation of MGR is the protagonist,” says S. Sridevi, producer of the film.

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