Venkat Prabhu: I wish our stars would encourage fresh ideas

The filmmaker, who has hit gold with Maanaadu, speaks of foreign film inspirations and unrealised dreams Filmmaker Venkat Prabhu has been shaped by his love for films—international films specifically. “I may not read much, but I watch a lot of films,” he says, and admits what everyone has always known about his work: “I’m influenced a…

Siva: I seek happiness over appreciation

The filmmaker, for whom directing actor Rajinikanth in Annaatthe is a dream realised, talks about the experience and the film  Little Siva was 10 years old when he got the enviable chance to meet his idol, Rajinikanth. His family was already into the business of filmmaking, and hence came this opportunity. Thirty-odd years later, Siva…

Rathindran Prasad: Save yourself, not the planet

A striking image in Boomika, one that Pavel Navageethan’s character seems entranced by, is of plants growing through concrete. “Give the planet a bit of time and you will see what it can do. The lockdown, for instance, saw a massive proliferation of animal and plant life. The planet can protect itself. Boomika, the character, does pretty much the same in the film.

Director Vasanth: I don’t chase the limelight anymore

“I’m deeply influenced by Bergman and his films like Through a Glass Darkly and Scenes from a Marriage. I have spent a long time thinking about human relationships, about how no matter how close we are to someone, we are closer to ourselves—about how this causes conflict sometimes. I find this to be an important issue worth making films about.”

Santhosh Narayanan: The human voice is one of the greatest instruments

“I have grown stronger in my conviction that the end goal is always togetherness. This sense of oneness is important for me. That’s what I love about films like Pariyerum Perumal and Karnan, which scream for people to get together. Enjoy Enjaami too is about this oneness. I hope that before I die, I succeed in becoming a strong voice that unifies.”