Your film Vaanmagal for the Paava Kadhaigal anthology shows the parents of a child rape victim contemplating the child’s murder. Isn’t that far-fetched?
Well, there are fathers and mothers who kill their own daughters because she eloped with somebody from a lower caste to uphold their honour. Similarly here for their honour this horrible thought comes up,though here is a story of a mother who didn’t kill her child.
Why would a progressive loving mother think of pushing the child off a cliff?
The thought went through her just like we all have negative thoughts but we never cross a line . All for honour. But she never will and she realises she has to let her daughter fly metaphorically and not literally in life.
You also play the father in your film. I’ve seen you in several film in front of the camera lately. Is acting a parallel career for you now?
Not exactly. If I’m confident about a director and aspire to be around a bigger director I don’t mind acting in their films at all .It’s a window opening for sure. I directed myself for the first time in Vaanmagal. In my own direction it’s tricky. But this one I sailed through I think. Making Vaanmagal has been a learning experience for me and getting to direct my own self was something completely new that I did for this project. It is an incredibly moving story that made it even more intense to capture in a short film format. A lot of people will connect to this story and feel for the family and their tribulations.”
What are you shooting now?
I’m filming a feature film called Joshua It’s a mindless action film with new actors.A new boy called Varun and a girl who’s name is Rahei.
You’ve shot quite a lot during the Covid crisis?
Yes, one for Amazon, two for Netflix, and one more anthology which will release when theatres open here fully .It is interesting to shoot during the pandemic. New norm. Much faster work. With lesser people in the cast and crew.We try to do our best.
