THREATENING VICTORY

In the Tamil cinema world even films that were produced at the expense of several crores of rupees failed miserably. In this context is it possible to believe that a ninety minutes film that was produced by the visual communication and Electronic sectors of the SRM Arts & Science College is successfully reaching the masses without even having had a glimpse of the public cinema screen.

In the seventies Vein Geese murdered 33 people in an alarming serial in the American Continent. He was a homosexual. He was in the habit of enticing youngsters and murdering them after getting his queer mental nourishment by committing sodomy on them. After a lapse of three decades this true serial has been presented in a style to suit the present day viewers.

A very strong mind state of mind is needed to speak bravely on a topic like homosexual behavior of humans in a society that regards such attempts as a grave offence. Withstanding all such inhibiting forces it is highly creditable to make a thrilling detective film embracing homosexuality.

The film has a revolutionary start where the scene depicts the dramatic shooting and killing of 4 robbers, who attempted to swindle a bank, by a security officer. This officer belongs to a unique special task force. The instantaneous discretion of this brave officer though strongly criticized by some of the higher officers have a very high regard for his ability to rise for the occasion.

In Chennai mysteriously youngsters have been disappearing very often. This unique task force was charged with the responsibility of inquiring into this strange crime. Usually in Tamil films we witness vengeance, thuggery and incredible heroism. But this film teaches us how to arrest the culprit in a scientific manner. The story reveals how a culprit is arrest and brought before the law and punished in a revolutionary way. (How ever when dealing with the servant of the main accused the usual method adopted by the local police is depicted.)

The accused is a high ranking industrialist. He abducts youngsters, subjects them to quench his homosexual thirst and murders them subsequently. He is aided and abetted by his sister and the servant. In contrast to the normal Tamil films here the culprit is identified half way through the passage of the story leaving no room for any suspense. The rest of the story reveals the police efficiently collects all the appropriate evidence and brings the culprit before the law.

College professors, lecturers, technical assistants and the students form the entire characters in this film. Seventy percent of the film has been filmed within the SRM college environment. A quality film has been produced with meagre resources. It could be regarded that the producers have successfully made a sensational film, as the ideas penetrate through a subject that is considered as something taboo in the Tamil cinema. Within a few months after the release of the film 10,000 copies have been sold. This is a claim made by professor Amrithraj. He is the head of Media & Communication of the SRM Arts & Science College. We just made a casual attempt to make a film during the summer holidays….but it has created a serious result. He says this with an elated feeling. (Please refer to the interview reproduced below).

All the journals and websites have praised this film lavishly. Elaborate criticisms, articles and news items regarding this film have appeared in 45 journals so far. Inclusive of foreign websites several media have praised the production of this film as a unique attempt.

It is said that Mr.Abirami Ramanathan the distributor of films who released Rajani’s “ Sivaji” commented:- If this story was properly made as a film for the usual cinema screen, a profit of 3 crores would have been realized by now.

“Despite the home people’s resistance for spending too much time in the college, the six months labour made way for a rich harvest”. This was a statement made by professor Balaji. He is the individual who played a major role among the characters in this film. (Please refer to his interview reproduced below).

The organization that is regarded as the second largest producer of compact discs has released this film as compact discs for the entertainment of the people. For this organization this is the only release that has not reached the cinema screen. All the Tami film fans right round the world can purchase these compact discs for their use.

The wordings found in section 377 of the Indian constitutional law regarding homosexuality has been selected as the title of this film. Contrary to the usual heros in films who eloquently act with fierce movement of their body, this film has been produced by incorporating plain dialogues and natural acting. This has attracted the audience considerably.

The accused at one stage proclaims that he is suffering from an ailment termed: “Multiple personality disorder” and fervently appeals for pardon at the climax of the trial. Despite his appeal appropriate punishment is meted. This trend elevates the standard of the film.

At the same time the sister of the accused who was aiding and abetting the accused was acquitted for want of adequate evidence. Here the director is posing a question to the effect whether an accused could be deemed innocent for want of adequate evidence? By this the director is providing a good end to the story. The entire theme of the film does not show any sudden turn or unexpected changes. This creates some sort of sluggishness. Even then the unique approach evinced in this film makes one to feel that it could be acknowledged that the director and the actors are generally victorious.

Producing a film on a topic that is not spoken of much in the society and emerging victorious paves way for the professors and the students to receive a fitting ovation.

They have now opened the doors for the TV films. It is not surprising if this becomes a gigantic business in the future.


THE ACTORS POSE A BIG CHALLENGE TO US!
(An interview with Professor Amrithraj Gnanam)

?: What made you to think to produce a film of this nature?

!: We thought that it is better to practically demonstrate something to the students than merely teaching. That is the reason for the production of this film. Experience is the purposeful way of studying. This will give permanent results.

?: What types of challenges you encountered?

!: The actors pose a big challenge. None had any proficiency or practice in acting other than Balaji. To overcome this deficiency we have to adopt a realistic acting system known as “Method Acting”. Several feared to act in a film having a theme that is not even talked by most people. This was the second problem we encountered. They thought that their good names will be blemished. Some left half way while acting. We have to beg and crave at times to bring the filming to a satisfactory end. We were lucky to make use of the resources and facilities that were available at the college to complete the film successfully.

?: How long it took to shoot the film?

!: At the beginning of May 2004 we had the religious observations
to start the film and by November 2004, 60% of the task was over. As it was the summer holidays the first half was completed quite fast. The next half of the film was done during the working days of the college. Hence it took a longer time to complete. We were particular in engaging the students without hindering their studies.

?: How much capital you invested?

!: We would have spent a total of about 2 lakhs. But we were able to realize a sum of much more than that by sale of film…… This could be regarded as a victory.

?: How was the reception for this new endeavour?
!: First we approached the television stations. They did not dare to screen the film. Then we approached the “Mosopiar” organization. They are from Bombay. They earnestly received and screened the film. Now there is a brisk sale. We will get a share of the profit. We have already received a few cheques in this regard. Up to now more than 10,000 copies have been sold.



THERE IS AN INVITATION FOR US TO JOIN THE CINEMA!
(Interview with SRM Visual Communication and Electronic Media Coordinator Balaji)

?: How did you dare to create a character of this nature?

!: Unlike doing something that is usually done by others, it is quite challenging to do something extraordinary!

?: What type of challenges you encountered?

There were no data to perform a research or investigation to explore the nature of my character. No actor has hitherto evinced an acting of this nature. This was my major challenge. I sought all the needs on my own. I observed keenly some of the transgender and collected some gestures. Creating such a character conforming to certain precision without any lewdness was a difficult task for me.

?: How did you feel when acting?

!: At the start itself I made a strict order to ensure that the maximum permissible individuals inside the filming room should not exceed four. I directed even the cameraman to shoot from outside by using tele lens. All these precautions were made to ensure that I do not get even the slightest feeling that someone is near me.

?: How was the reception when the film was released?

!: In certain places they viewed the film as a performance merely done by the characters. Some were even ridiculing. In the cinema arena there was lot of praise. When Kamalhasan was making the film “Veddayaadu Vilayaadu” one of the producers suggested to him to view this one as a prerequisite for the shooting of his film mentioned above.

?: Were there any cinema prospects after this film?

!: Yes!(with much glee) I have appeared in the serial “Arasi” already in three episodes. In the film that is about to get released “Kaalaipani” I am playing the role of the College professor. I have also acted in the film “Samuthrakani”. Several chances are in the offing.

?: When will you be a hero?

!: (A loud laughter!) I am not longing for it. When one becomes a hero his general acting spree will be limited to a circle. When one plays the role of several characters, acting gets lavish benefits.

?: You have given an open end to your film- does it suggest that there is room for another film to emerge?

!: It customary to place the “Subam” and end a film in the Tamil cinema. I wanted to deviate a little from this tradition – that is why an open end was provided. However there is a plan to shoot part 2 of 377.