Still Crazy after all these years
MALATHI RANGARAJAN
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`Crazy' Mohan storms the scene as the story, screenplay and dialogue writer of `Jery,' which releases today.
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SUMMER TREAT FOR THE FAMILY: Crazy Mohan's Jery
Unfazed by the double entendres and lewdness that pass off for comedy in cinema, `Crazy' Mohan, the brand ambassador of healthy levity and wit, gears up to set the humour track on fire, with his `Jery' that releases today.
"This is our summer treat for the entire family. A couple of hours of rib-tickling entertainment," laughs Mohan. "Sridhar, `Chitralaya' Gopu and K. Balachander, kings of clean fun, are my inspiration, and I'm toeing their line in `Jery.' I've made a name as one who steers clear of obscenity. It's very important that I maintain it," he says.
Writing humour for cinema is not new for Mohan. The Kamal-`Crazy' combo has worked wonders in many a light film. But for the first time, Mohan has gathered his theatre team en masse and entered the fray with his own story and screenplay.
"Producer Viswanathan has always wanted me to make a film. Initially, we settled for a line that has an aeroplane as the scene of action, like the ship in `Titanic.' A romantic comedy which I named `Payanigal Gavanithirkku' with `Flightanic' as the tagline," he guffaws and adds, "Why not? If a film is called `Rama,' it has something like `I want to kill you' or `I brush my teeth regularly' written under the title, doesn't it?" The dig makes you smile.
"But I thought for starters we would take up something on a smaller budget." Be it theatre or cinema, Mohan's heroines are invariably called Janaki. He laughs: "It's my way of remembering my primary school teacher. She was the one who initiated me into theatre."
Why is the hero called Jery? "It's just a short form of Jayaram. And in case you confuse yourself with `Tom and Jerry,'(although the film has a constant comic tussle) we've decided to go with one `r' in the spelling. As I do both cinema and theatre, there are those who tell me that my plays sound like my films and vice-versa," laughs Mohan.
Directorial debut
"Kanthan (Filmmaker Moulee's brother), who directs all our plays, is making his debut with `Jery.' My brother `Madhu' Balaji is playing a full-length comic role in films for the first time. `Jiththan' Ramesh is the hero. It's a buoyant, youthful team and the impact will be seen on screen. Ramesh Vinayakam's excellent music score will be another bonanza. We are testing the waters with `Jery.' It is my pet project and if it sells, we plan to do more and on a much bigger scale," reveals Mohan.
Enthusiastic lot
Kanthan is a rather reticent kind of person. But mention `Jery,' and he opens up. "At a time you are assailed by bloodshed and gore in film after film, Jery comes like a whiff of fresh air. We have worked at making filmgoers come out of the cinema halls with a cheerful smile," says Kanthan. He is very satisfied with his hero's sense of timing. "Doing comedy is tough. And being pitted against veterans Balaji and Mohan doesn't make things easier. But Ramesh has managed very well," he says.
Ramesh's dad, producer R. B. Chowdhary, who has already seen the film, waited for Kanthan after the show and told him that it did not seem like a director's debut. "When a highly respected producer of more than 60 films and a no-nonsense kind of a person says, `Not a single moment of `Jery' is dull,' what better compliment can I expect," asks a joyous Kanthan.
"Kanthan echoes what I feel," laughs the happy hero of `Jery.' "After the show, dad hugged me and congratulated me. `If the director is capable, he can bring the best out of the actors. Kanthan has done it,' were his words," recalls Ramesh.
Shooting for `Jery' was more an extension of his carefree college days for Ramesh. Initially, he was a little tense. "Everyone knows about the team's skills. But I took up the challenge. Now, I'm happy people will know that I can do action, serious and funny roles," he adds.
Says composer Ramesh Vinayakam: "I've had a 15-year unbroken relationship with the `Crazy' group. When the idea of `Jery' came about, I was immensely happy. Since it's a comedy, the music had to be evocative. I realised the responsibility and all of us have worked hard."
Satisfying experience
Vinayakam's songs in `Nala Damayanti' and `Azhagiya Theeyae' won a lot of accolades. "It should happen with `Jery' too. I try out different string arrangements in every film, so it is with `Jery.' Ramesh and Mumtaz have performed well. I called them up and told them so. Kanthan has done a great job and `Crazy's script lifts the film wonderfully. The vibrations are positive and I'm sure the public's verdict will be the same. We are keeping our fingers crossed," smiles Ramesh Vinayakam.
`Madhu' Balaji is a picture of enthusiasm as he settles down to talk about `Jery.' "This is my second film. I don't accept cinema assignments because the stage is very important for both Mohan and me. But `Jery' is special to all of us," says Balaji, smiling genially. Kamal Hassan had offered him roles in `Pancha Thanthiram' and `Avvai Shanmughi.' "For the past few months we've thought of nothing but `Jery.' Producer Viswanathan was particular that the film should be enjoyed by children and adults alike, and that's exactly what Mohan and Kanthan are offering people, with a sprinkling of sentiment," he adds.
The mood at the `Crazy' camp is upbeat. `Jery' means a lot to them.
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