Harsh reality
VIJAY GEORGE
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Director Avira Rebecca's maiden feature film `Thakarachenda' focusses on the plight of slum dwellers.
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UNHEARD VOICES: Sreenivasan and Geethu Mohandas play the lead in `Thakarachenda, which tackles the problems of people living in slums.
The unhygienic surroundings give an inkling of the plight of people who are forced to live in such places. Director Avira Rebecca's maiden feature film `Thakarachenda,' focusses on a group of slum dwellers who are usually ignored in the ambitious blueprints of city developers.
Sreenivasan and Geetu Mohandas play the protagonists in the film, the shooting of which is going on in various locations in Kochi. On a Saturday evening, the crew has just shifted from Marine Drive to a vast ground at Manappattiparambu in Kaloor, which has been converted into a slum by art director Suresh Kollam.
"In the film, the slum dwellers are being evicted as part of the efforts to beautify the city. It only adds to the agony of the impoverished people whose pleas for help often fall on deaf ears," explains the director. Cinematographer M. J. Radhakrishnan has a tough time arranging the lights as some of the onlookers gets into the field of the camera.
Interesting theme
Sreenivasan feels that "no attempts have been made to mould it as a typical offbeat film or even as a full fledged commercial film and that is something heartening.
"The film narrates the tale of a section of society that everyone would like to forget. In fact, after reading the script, I felt that the film would be appreciated more for its theme than the histrionic brilliance of the actors involved. I was impressed by the conviction of the makers and wanted to be part of such a project."
Chakrapani, the character that he portrays in the film, is a disabled beggar who is also a small-time moneylender. He has an eye on Latha who lives nearby with her two children, though she detests him.
"Lata, an asthmatic, works as a maid and dreams of a better future for her children," explains Geethu Mohandas who plays Lata.
She has completed K. Balachander's Tamil film `Poi,' and K.P.Kumaran's `Akashagopuram,' which is based on the play `Master Builder' by Henrik Ibsen. Geethu's character in `Thakarachenda' is a proud and aggressive woman who is protective about the community with whom she lives.
Finally, desperation forces them to unite and raise their voice in protest. Chakrapani ends up as their leader. The first shot of the day has the ailing Latha in conversation with Vasanthi (Seema G. Nair), who plans to move away from the slum. The fear of losing their homes is evident on their faces.
Song sequence
A few hours later, a portion of a song is being filmed. It shows Sreenivasan moving slowly on his tricycle, with some men engaged in their chores in the background. It's almost 9 p.m. and many spectators remain to watch the proceedings.
`Thakarachenda' is being produced by Noushad and Xavi Mano Mathew, the same team that had produced Blessy's 'Kazhcha.' The director has joined hands with Walter in writing the script. Stills are by Paul Bathery, lyrics by Vijesh and music by Siby Kuruvilla.
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