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Holding sway with social themes
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Stars can bring about changes in society, says director S. A. CHANDRASEKARAN
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DIRECTOR S. A. CHANDRASEKARAN is quite frank when it comes to discussing films and matters that are close to his heart. He sounds philosophical at times, but is pragmatic and well aware of what drives filmdom today.
This is quite evident in his replies to queries about his latest film Sukran. "It is neither a huge hit nor a failure," he says with a smile. The director speaks about his tryst with cinema and what made him do a series of films on law, crime and society.
Law and society
"People asked me whether I was a lawyer. I have a lot of friends in the police department and the legal fraternity. Certain criminal cases that I came to know were very interesting. Based on them, I directed films," he says.
The inspiration to take up law-based themes came when he saw a person driving a car violate the speed limit with impunity even as two-wheeler riders and cyclists were being questioned for breaching the rules.
"I wondered whether law was meant only for the poor and decided to throw light on the inequalities of the system through films," he says. "I always wanted to create social awareness through my films. As a filmmaker you have to reflect what is happening in society."
Victory and Vijay
But his break in tinseldom happened after many years of toil. "I narrated the Sattam Oru Iruttarai script to more than 20 producers. They rejected it outright." All this, he says, made him stronger. "If success is instant, you will not enjoy its real fruit. Hard-fought victories are always special," he remarks.
Chandrasekaran feels cinema has become completely entertainment-driven. "People watch cinema for enjoyment. They will have to be more responsible and aware of issues that affect them," he points out.
He believes that the present star-driven industry can actually bring about a change. "The youth, who form a major part of the audience, actually listen to what the stars say."
The director says his son Vijay's entry into films (as `hero') was "unplanned." At this point his wife Shobha, also a director, joins the discussion. "Though he has acted as `junior' Vijaykanth in films, I never thought he would take cinema seriously. That's because he is an introvert. Even before he completed graduation he expressed his desire to act. I was doubtful, but after I saw him enact a scene from a popular movie I was convinced that he would make it big in Kollywood."
Ask him whether he still guides his son and Chandrasekaran says: "Initially, I made him understand what cinema is all about — the need to do homework, sticking to schedules and the importance of perseverance to succeed in a highly competitive environment Now that he has learnt the ropes, I stay away."
Shobha couldn't complete her course in music and had to abandon her fledgling career as a singer due to personal problems. She has started her music career all over again.
Any plans on the film front? "I want to direct Vijay. It will be a soft romantic movie," she says.
M. ALLIRAJAN
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