Certain stand
MALATHI RANGARAJAN
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Director Raghuraj’s ‘Appaavi’ has Bhagyaraj in a pivotal role.
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Memorable experience: Raghuraj directing Bhagyaraj.
A freelance photographer turned filmmaker Raghuraj makes a comeback to the Tamil arena with ‘Appaavi,’ which interestingly has Bhagyaraj in a pivotal role.
Raghuraj’s earlier Tamil films such as ‘Ice,’ may have sunk without a trace but his Telugu feature, ‘Kalusukovalani’ with Uday Kiran and Gazala as the lead pair saw a 100-day run. ‘Boss’ in Kannada with Darshan and Navya Nair is gearing up for release. Our own Prabhu is playing a cameo in it.
Unusual theme
So what’s the premise on which ‘Appaavi’ is based? “Many films highlight the problems around you. ‘Appaavi’ attempts at giving solutions,” is his cryptic response. Gautam is the young hero who makes his debut with ‘Appaavi.’ “He’s not the producer’s son, as is the case with several fresh faces,” he smiles sarcastically. “He’s been chosen because he showed promise.”
Heroine Suvani is a Telugu import. Raghuraj had a three-month workshop and a 140-hour video shoot for the hero to prepare him for the actual filming!
Working with Bhagyaraj has been a memorable experience for the director. “Bhagyaraj plays the central character which takes the film forward. He was so impressed with the narration that he immediately agreed to do the role. And on the sets, though he’s a great director himself, he never interferes with my work. ‘The crux of the story is so good that it deserves a big budget treatment,’ is all he said.”
“This is a very different attempt,” Raghuraj continues. And before you groan at the cliché he adds, “I know everybody promises the same about his film, but mine will prove to be one. You can question me on the veracity of my stand if you don’t find it so.”
There’s plenty of time for all that as production is still under way!
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