Big things await this Tamil movie

Along with the release of Moserbaer's most anticipated Tamil remake of Jab We Met -- Kanden Kadhalai on Friday, there is another good news for the production house.

Their forthcoming under production film Aval Peyar Tamilarasi has been selected for the Dubai International Film Festival to be held from December 9 to 16. The film is written and directed by Meera Kathiravan.

The man behind the production, G Dhananjayan, the Chief Operating Officer, Entertainment Business, Moserbaer speaks exclusively to rediff.com on the film and more.

What is Aval Peyar Tamilarasi about? Is it based on any literary work?

No. It is a realistic film on the happenings in the life of a person. The film is about how a person can commit a mistake on an impulse without knowing its implications and how life changes post that. It is a heart warming love story.

Let me ask you about the film's selection to the Dubai International Film Festival. How did the team from Dubai come to know about the film? Did you apply?

The team was in Chennai in September. The coordinator for Tamil films was Ms Suhasini Manirathnam. She invited some producers and directors to attend the meeting where the selection committee team was present and discussed how to go about the nominations.

The team comprising of a German and an Indian (she is also managing Hindi films) was in Chennai for four days, and saw several under-production and ready films. When we spoke about our film during the meeting, they wanted to see it. We showed the double positive version which they liked. The selection announcement for all the films were made after two weeks.

What did they say about an under-production film? What about the film impressed the team?

We showed the entire film but in a fast forward mode (without songs and comedy) in the double positive format. Before they saw the film, I took them through the script for 30 minutes, which helped them understand the concept. So they were able to follow the film easily when they saw it at the studio.

They were thoroughly impressed with the realism in the script and its making, authenticity of the scenes and visuals and the emotions. They were impressed with the basic concept itself which is universal and not confined to Tamil culture alone.

As the producer of the film, how did you feel when it got selected?

As the producer, I was certainly delighted. It was the most difficult film we have made so far as the backdrop kept changing. Plus, we had to wait for the change in the appearance of the hero. So executing the project took time, effort and money especially as it involved a first time director.

However, we are happy that the project could be completed to everyone's satisfaction. We are particularly proud that our film got selected for such a prestigious festival, which was made only on the quality of the film and its making.

Will the film be going to other festivals before releasing in theatres?

The film will be screened at the Dubai International Film Festival, and depending on the responses there, we will decide about the release date in India. If the film is invited for a premiere in Berlin then we will delay the release. Otherwise we plan to release by end of December this year in India.

Please tell us something about the director? How pleased are you with him?

Meera Kathiravan comes from the schools of Lohitadas, Thangar Bachan and Balu Mahendra. He brought in nativity, realism, passion and commitment to the project. We are happy to have worked with him.

Is it a commercial film, or an off-beat one?

It is a commercial film but made in the realistic format, more in the mould of Subramaniapuram, Anjathey, Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu and our own Poo. If these films are off-beat films, then Aval Peyar Tamilarasi can also be called an off-beat film. However, they were not off-beat films made for some awards. I would term these films as "neo-realistic" films appealing to a wider audience.