Of `live-in' partners
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The story is based on the emerging concept of "live-in partners" in the metros
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WILD WILD WEST Sivaji Raja and Rathi in `Moguds... Pellams.'
In the West it is not uncommon among the opposite sex to share the same pad. They call it the `living arrangement.' Today we have equal job opportunities for men and women thanks to the IT boom. It is not easy for most of these youngsters from other cities to find an accommodation.
"The day is not far off when we too have such live in arrangements among the opposite sex. Or is it already in vogue in some of the metros? Based on this thought I weaved a story showcasing the lifestyle of present day youth. Its USP is of course humour," says veteran actor Ranganath in between the takes of his debut directorial venture, Agile Movies, Moguds... Pellams. And it has interesting tag line - `no mangalasutrams.'
The director is shooting the climax scene at the Imblibun Bus Station on the lead pair of Sivaji Raja-Rathi and new find Karthik and Harika. Interestingly, Sivaji Raja is anchoring a television program with the same title.
"The commonality ends there. My story is different from that concept. When we are searching for a title, Sivaji Raja came up with this title that we found it apt. Moreover it is already popular with the viewers," smiles Ranganath.
Mostly shot in city
He then moves towards the artistes to teach them the required expressions as the assistant director reads out from the dialogue sheet. Cinematographer Raju, a constant with veteran Bapu frames the artistes as both the director and his assistant move out of the field.
"From here we are moving to Champapet to film the next scene," says Ranganath in his baritone voice extending an invitation to the new location. Sivaji Raja, Rathi and a host of junior artistes both male and female ascend a bus stationed on the road at Champapet. "The climax shoot is over. Now it is the first scene. By a coincidence we are shooting the opening scene and the last scene on the same day," smiles the veteran actor of nearly 400 films.
Convoluted theme
The hero and the heroine meet here for the first time and the introduction leads them to share the same portion under peculiar circumstances. A staunch feminist, it is the heroine who takes up the challenge and agrees to share the accommodation with the hero. To protect their dignity how the two safeguard themselves creates ripples of laughter. "At one stage it is only natural they like each other and fall in love. And then the story takes a curious turn as by a quirk of fate the two separate. How and when they reunite forms the interesting part," opines the debutante.
"It is a modern concept set in the urban milieu," chips in producer Ramakoteswara Rao. An ex-pilot in the Indian Air Force, after successful business ventures and a couple of television serials he has set his sight on film production. "Ranganath is handling this delicate subject with youthful exuberance. With his rich experience as an actor of different genres of movies, he has blended modernity with tradition in the script. It is a clean and wholesome entertainer. Popular comedians like Ali, M.S. Narayana, Raghubabu, L.B. Sriram, Rajesh and Venumadhav are an add on advantage."
The evening Sun is slowly fading into the West. "Now East is familiarizing with such modern concepts (of living arrangements)," says Ranganath. He adds that with the day's work that may drag till midnight, he will be completing the talkie part. "We have filmed three songs and two more have to be done. Music (by Rajkiran who makes his debut too) is an added asset, but basically it is a film for amusement," concludes the actor- turned- director.
M.L. NARASIMHAM
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Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
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Thiruvananthapuram
