Wielding the pen
S. SHIVA KUMAR
|
Screenplay writing is an art you learn by watching good, as well as bad films, believes Ramesh Aravind, back from an international workshop
|
Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.
STARTING POINT Ramesh: ‘I’ve always wanted to be a director’
Actor-director Ramesh Aravind, still fresh from the success of his latest venture “Venkata in Sankata”, took off to Chennai to recharge his creative cells, and met French writer-director Jean Claude Carriere and, of course, close friend and fellow actor Kamal Haasan. He honed his writing skills at an international screenplay writing workshop co-hosted by Kamal’s Rajkamal Films International and the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. With the newfound vigour and palpable confidence, Ramesh is raring to go.
Excerpts from an interview:
What drew you to this screenplay writing workshop?
I’ve always been interested. I wanted to be a director when I joined films. Balachander told me it is very rare for the public to accept someone as a hero, and so not to spoil that. He said I could become a director even when I am 60. You can’t be a hero then because your knees will give way. That made sense and I postponed writing and direction. I have contributed to almost all my films. I was very interested in the creative part of cinema. That got polarised thanks to Kamal. I learnt the ropes from him. He could sense the urge and restlessness in me. We have spent hours discussing stories. He quenched my thirst. It is a friendship I treasure, which was not known till I directed him. He always told me that screenplay writing is an art, which people don’t seem to realise. I attended the workshop as an observer because it was only for freshers.
Can screenplay writing be taught and can it be learnt?
It can be learnt. I don’t know whether it can be taught. What we learnt over the years was imparted in one week. I used to watch great films and dissect them. This is what was taught there. I hope students got the point that you learn by watching good and bad films. Screenplay writing is an art form. If I and Dinesh Babu are working together the scene written will be different from what is normally written. We know how it’ll look on screen. You have to have flair and also a feel for it.
When a hero is the writer isn’t there the danger of giving himself more importance?
I am the hero in all my films because it makes economic sense. I won’t earn much by directing someone else. Yes, the hero’s mentality is very different from the writer’s. One should not try to take over from the other. Direction is about people management. Writing is thankless and gruelling. A hero’s job is simpler and he is the one who is going to connect with the audience.
When a hero turns director, the danger is not being approached by other directors.
Yes, that happens. They assume I’m busy even without approaching me. Let me state again that I’m very much available. Now there is a spate of offers as an actor. I am doing three films. There are two more in the pipeline. I find that I have a lot of time on the sets as an actor. I am able to do much better than before. I am more focused and obedient as an actor.
Maybe directors are wary because they feel you might interfere.
No, my nature is such that I don’t interfere. I have never had a problem with anybody. I think it is not what you say but how you say it. That is what creates problems. Everybody wants a good film and useful suggestions are welcome.There is the feeling that it is time again for the Ramesh brand of feel-good films.
That is true. I want to connect with the audience and make films that are close to their heart. It could even be a problem that is haunting them. I am going to add that element in my next film.
Some portions in “Venkata In Sankata” looked puerile. Is it the anxiety to make people laugh continuously?
Yes, absolutely. It was meant to be a fun film without pretensions. We succeeded in that. Now as an afterthought I feel we could have had a good plot. Emotions were lacking. I have no regrets because we learn with every film. I could have made a much more wholesome entertainer.
You are pampered as a star and get used to it. Will it be difficult to get back to the drudgery of direction?
You are right. Actors have more free time to while away but I prefer to be on my toes. Given a chance I’d like to direct all the films I’m acting in now. I’m used to multi tasking.
What next?
The pressure is to make a comedy but I want to make an intimate film about relationships. There is a fun film underway too. Producers will prefer the latter but I’m keen on the former.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
