Actor Sasikumar and director Ponram talk about ‘MGR Magan’ releasing tomorrow, and how they tackle their respective image trappings
Sasikumar is well aware of the reputation he has earned with Samuthirakani through his films. Being a part of movies where they impart knowledge and deliver a truckload of social messages.
The reason he signed up for the Ponram directorial MGR Magan It was because he is on the receiving end of advice.
“In this movie, people have a thing or two to tell us [him and Samuthirakani] Whatever was new,” Sashikumar says over a phone call, during the shoot break of his upcoming film with debutant director Hemant Kumar. Part:
What are your thoughts on Ponram’s films?
His films have a strong entertainment quotient with comedy and family values. Ponram is Kani’s friend and that’s how I got to know him. He wanted to make a comedy film with both of us, because we are not that serious in real life. the equations our characters share MGR Magan, Kani and I are off-screen.
You said earlier that how can you not do a comedy role. what changed with MGR Magan?
Yes, there have been unsuccessful attempts before. but MGR Magan Totally not comedy. There is a family spirit with a strong message.
I loved the bond shared with Sathyaraj sir and Saranya Mother in film.
Aren’t you tired of village based movies?
off course not. Amma va amma dhan solla mudiyam… You can’t call her Auntie. When directors approach me for films, they think of me based on the characters I have played in the past.
Whatever I am is because of those films. Also, what’s wrong with village movies? It all boils down to presentation.
Asuravdham: And Inai Noki Payum Thotta Looks like you tried to change your image…
Yes he did. In fact, pagaivanuku arulvai He has also been introduced in a new light. I am trying to do what I can to the best of my ability.
Now that digital platforms have changed the way movies are produced, would you say you can experiment more?
The OTT platform has broken the language barrier. Today we have films of every genre coming up. in my upcoming movie kazugu Krishna, I am playing the role of a sound engineer and it is set in a city.
what about a movie easy (2010)? Do you think it would have worked with the OTT release today?
no i think easy Would have worked in cinemas today. It was way ahead of its time and at that time Chennai was not known for this clubbing culture. Audience could not connect to part of the city. even if you like movies easy And Asuravdham: What may not have worked, it leaves you with the satisfaction of doing something good for the society.
When are you planning your next directing?
I am completing all my acting commitments as soon as possible. I will start working on my directorial from January.
capture the soul
Ponram felt that there was something strange in the way Sasikumar and Samuthirakani, both wearing sunglasses, appeared for the Nadigar Sangam elections in 2019. Tiruvizha KannadaPonram laughs, adding that the camaraderie they shared was natural and in stark contrast to his “serious” films.
This image of him in sunglasses inspired Ponram to write MGR Magan. “The two are good friends in real life; It’s just that they get serious in movies. I wanted to break it,” he says, about bringing Sashikumar and Samuthirakani together.
The director admits that all his films are based on two characters with opposite perspectives. They mostly represent the gap between two generations: from Sivakarthikeyan and Sathyaraj. Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam Shashikumar and Satyaraj MGR Magan. Ponram says that the latter is also the union of these two worlds.
Ponram came to Chennai at the age of 19 and has been living here for about 25 years. One can assume that he may have adapted to urban life, but he says no. Ponram says, “I still consider myself someone from the village who is familiar with that world.
Known for entertaining the backdrop of the village, Ponram says he wears this stamp as a badge of honour. “I have that tag because I must have captured rural life in good spirits. Till now I have only made films set in small towns. once they [audiences] Feel extra, I’ll have to switch to making urban movies. “
this year NavarsaPresented by filmmakers Mani Ratnam and Jayendra Panchapakesan, was a step in that direction. The compilation was announced with Ponram being one of the directors. In fact, she shot for her segment with actor Gautam Karthik. It was a comedy film that was approved, says Ponram, whose short was ultimately rejected for reasons best known to the presenters.
Ponram says he was disappointed when he was dropped Navarsa. “Mani sir said there was some problem with the sound, but it was not a satisfactory explanation. I still don’t know why our film was turned down.” Since he was asked to sign a deal, Ponram Couldn’t even sell the finished product to other platforms. “All of us involved in the film did a sincere job. At the end of the day, we were feeling sad.”
MGR Magan Stream on Disney+Hotstar.
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