Winning as a way of life
MALATHI RANGARAJAN
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As `Pachchai Kili Muthu Charam,' gets ready for release, its maker Gautham Menon prepares for yet another success.
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"Pachchai Kili Muthu Charam" Starring Sarathkumar with Andrea.
He is the epitome of self-confidence. And after three hits in a row, Gautham ("Please don't spell it differently") Vasudev Menon can well afford to be. His fourth film, `Pachchai Kili Muthu Charam' (originally `Silandhi') with Sarathkumar, is all set for the race.
"I'm referred to as a `wannabe Hollywood maker' by some. Why `wannabe?' If originality in presentation is the yardstick, I am Hollywood material. I don't ape English films and I don't watch pirated DVDs. My stories are from life," he begins. He names Mani Ratnam as his inspiration, not Martin Scorsese.
Then what's all this talk about `Pachchai Kili ... ' being on the lines of the Vincent Cassel-Jennifer Aniston-Clive Owen thriller, `Derailed?' "The inspiration is from James Siegel's book [not the film], otherwise it's entirely mine," Menon avers. Describing it as an emotional drama, Gautham Menon notes that it doesn't call for the technical glitz of `Kaaka Kaaka' or `Vaettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu.' "This is a Quentin Tarantino kind of film," he smiles.
Selling point
Sarathkumar with Jyotika.
Pre-release problems that plague his projects end up well for Menon, as eventually every film turns out to be a grosser. `Pachchai Kili ... ' also faced hiccups and has taken nearly a year to see the light of day. He nods in assent, "But once Oscar Ravi took over, it has been smooth sailing," he says. Facing speed breakers so often could disillusion any maker, but not Menon. "No. In fact, it has made me look at production," he says, and welcomes you to watch a song sequence from `Pachchai Kili ... '
Harris Jeyaraj's score has been a selling point of Gautham Menon's films so far. "Even his wife tells me we jell well and it shows in the songs. Another thing, I've always approved the first tune Harris gives me. Sometimes he would want to change, but I'd resist." Yet Menon is a hardcore Ilaiyaraja fan. Then why hasn't he approached him? "I'm scared," he says simply. "Also Harris and I are on the same wavelength. I'll think of a change only when he is not free."
Directing Kamal Haasan
"I was jittery. Kamal is not only a super actor but also a director. You can't play the fool with him. If I want an extra take from Kamal, I have to give him the right reason. I just can't afford to be casual with someone of his stature. Similarly with Sarathkumar ... "
Did he have Sarath in mind while scripting `Pachchai Kili ... '? "No. `Vettaiyaadu... ' was the only exception. I conceived the story after Kamal said we'd work together. He rejected my first script and that's when I thought I'd make him a super cop stalking a serial killer. `Let's do it,' he said," he snaps his fingers (It's a mannerism with Menon.). "When I narrated the story of `Pachchai Kili ... ' to Sarath he was very excited and we began shooting in three days time. He's done fine."
`KK' in Telugu did "ok" but `Minnalae' in Hindi with Madhavan and Diya Mirza (`Rehna Hai Terre Dil Mein') was a disappointment. "I was rather raw then. Maddy suggested producer Vashu Bhagnani, who took me to Durban and New Zealand and made me match it with Mumbai! Also, I had wanted Preity Zinta for the role," he contends.
More on the latest
Gautham Menon .
`Pachchai Kili ... ' has two heroines, Jyotika and Andrea. "Andrea is a talented theatre person, and great singer. I'd put her on a par with the likes of Mariah Carey. She's done ad films but was never keen on features," says Gautham Menon. He was considering Shobana and Tabu for the role. "But now Andrea makes Sarath look younger."
Milind Soman is another surprise. "I wanted a different look and Milind filled the bill. If I had seen him earlier he would have been my Pandya (Jeevan's role in `KK')."
When Menon took the story to Jyotika, she wanted to know who was being cast in the other role. "It has shades, will you do it," he asked. She agreed.
"Jo has come out with a fabulous show. She's extremely professional. And she knows Tamil now. She ensures her lip sync is perfect" he commends. "We had a tough time with Reema Sen's Tamil," he smiles.
Shooting for his `Vaaranamaayiram' (with Suriya and Ramya) is to start soon. "It's a story of a young man on the verge of life. Generally we say `verge of death' don't we?" He gives a cryptic smile.
Besides Harris Jeyaraj, Rajeevan (art), Anthony (editing), Brinda (choreography) and Thamarai (lyrics) have been Menon's constants.
"The seed is mine. I work on the script and once it's ready, I throw it open for discussion. The rapport works." But this time Arvind Krishna is the cinematographer of `Pachchai Kili ... ' "Yeah! I prefer working with different cameramen. The film needed static shots and the like in the P.C.Sreeram, Balu Mahendra mould. So I chose Arvind," he says, and adds, "Mine is never just a Gautham Menon film, it's teamwork."
The crew has reaped rich dividends for its diligent captain so far. No reason why it shouldn't, yet again.
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