Kamal's New Project & Obsession !
Mahesh
Besides being a versatile performer, Kamalahasan has always striven for
perfection in every department of cinema. Marudhanayagam is not only his
magnum opus but also marks his debut as director, writes R S PRAKASH
THE Tamil screen will assume Titanic dimensions if Kamalahasan has his way.
The redoubtable Jack of all movie trades is pursuing Hollywood`s Kate
Winslet with an offer of a role in his ambitious production, Marudhanayagam.
Not content with roping in domestic super stars like Amitabh Bachchan and
Rajnikant to play guest roles in his movie, Kamal is keen to cast the
leading lady of Titanic. His production team has already begun preliminary
moves to secure the actress`s nod. In his Bond-type thriller Vikram many
years ago, Kamal had cast Bombay`s Dimple Kapadia and Amjad Khan in major
roles. Incidentally in Marudhanayagam, Satyaraj has replaced Om Puri, who
has had to pull out because of prior commitments.
Besides being a versatile performer, Kamalahasan has always striven for
perfection in every department of cinema. Marudhanayagam is not only the
veteran`s magnum opus but also marks his debut as director. The film is
being made in six languages - Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, English, French and
Hindi.
As the film is set in the 1700s, Sarika Kamalahasan has her task cut out as
costume designer. She has been engaged in research for years even as the
project was taking shape in spouse Kamal`s head. For the test shoot in
Jaipur, she had an astounding 7,000 costumes and accessories ready.
Besides the clothes, jewellery has also been given extensive attention.
While printing blocks have been used to print sarees and dresses, vegetable
dyes are being used to give them the period-look.
''Kamalahasan is both a professional actor and a talented technician and I
admire him for that. I have tremendous faith in the kind of visuals he is
contemplating to create. More so, he is a fearless film-maker. He believes
in dreaming and I believe dreamers succeed!`` Sarika remarks.
Kamalahasan has also penned the story, screenplay and dialogue, ably
supported by the celebrated Tamil novelist 'Sujatha` Rangarajan (formerly
with BEL, Bangalore), poets Gnanakoothan and Puviarasu, historian S Muthiah
and France-based La Forte.
Filmgoers have come to expect something new from Kamalahasan in every one of
his new ventures: as a dwarf in Apoorva Sagodharagal, as a patriotic senior
citizen in Indian, and a witty, middle-aged governess in Avvai Shanmughi.
Also, Kamalahasan has been ceaselessly experimenting, particularly with
make-up.
Sometime ago, he conducted a make-up workshop in Chennai to impart the
latest techniques in make-up technology. Barry Cooper, a deputy of Michael
Westmore (veteran make-up specialist) and also the head of the make-up
department of CBS studio TV networks in Los Angeles, California, was the
main faculty.
This is Kamal`s first serious foray into a historical.
''I have always wanted to make a movie in Robin Hood folklore style, but set
in a specific time frame to give it a realistic touch. I found what I was
looking for in a folk ballad. When I delved deeper into the ballad, I
discovered this man named Marudhanayagam Pillai. Instantly, I started
focusing on this man. I had a feeling that it would make a great subject,``
recounts Kamal.
''We stumbled upon a book by S C Hill, Bishop Caldwell`s Thirunelveli Papers
and a lot of other material from the archives. Through these we learnt that
Marudhanayagam, who ruled Madurai in the 18th century, was a great warrior
and his mentor was Stringer Lawrence, considered the father of the Indian
Army. He clashed with communities and finally Islam offered him sanctuary.
His wife Marsha, an European, stayed with him till the end. This is not a
macho film. It is about tender relationships.``
To what extent does Kamal`s script conform to history?
''We have highlighted the darker areas where history hasn`t shed much light.
I am not committed to history. I am committed to portraying a protagonist
who I think is right. My sole objective is to weave as interesting a tale as
possible and not teach history.``
Kamal`s attention to detail, his meticulous sense of planning and his quest
for perfection are well known. Marudhanayagam is the culmination of these
attributes. Currently, Kamal is on a diet of eggs, fruits and vegetables for
strength and stamina!
For a technician, the film is a great challenge. Art director Sabu Cyril
observes: ''It is truly inspiring to work with an artiste like Kamalji.
Tomorrow, when I look back I will feel proud that I was associated with this
project. Even history can be made interesting and this film can be
stupendous if we are able to accomplish what we are conceiving. If it turns
out the way Kamalji has visualised it, the film will have international
stature.``
''The character of Marudhanayagam, is so ingrained in me that I feel I can
almost touch him,`` says Kamal. Such is his identification with the role
that over the last four years when the character evolved, Kamal too evolved
with it!
''What is intriguing is that the hero of Marudhanayagam was from the same
district as me, Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu,`` remarks Kamal. A happy
coincidence, indeed!
S. Prabaharan
: Kamalahasan's new obsession
: THE Tamil screen will assume Titanic dimensions if Kamalahasan has his way.
: The redoubtable Jack of all movie trades is pursuing Hollywood`s Kate
: Winslet with an offer of a role in his ambitious production, Marudhanayagam.
The only problem I see kamal playing the leading role in the movie
Marudhanayagam is that he has to cast small made actors as villans.
When I saw him in person several years ago in the US I was wondering
how on earth he beat up all those thugs in the movies with his small
frame:-) May be he should let Rajini play the title role. It will be
a roaring success!
SP
Babu
good
actor so does Rajni, Mohanlal and Mammooty. Somebody spends millions of
dollars for a movie doesn't guarantee success and perfection. Don't ever
compare
Titanic with this project.Titanic was a romantic-tits showing, movie- Whose
tits
he is going to expose in this movie?Let Kamal see good movies like "SAVING
PRIVATE RYAN, BABE, LION KING,THE ANTS" then think how he can make
a good movie.
Babu.
Mahesh <jma...@pacific.net.sg> wrote in article
<72hfg8$m4$1...@newton2.pacific.net.sg>...
Mahesh
I'm sorry that i didn't say is is an extract from Deccan Herald,
a Banagalore based newspaper. It is not my view, just thought
some might be interested.
BTW how on earth do you classify Rajni in the same league as
Kamal, Mamooty or Mohanlal? They are 'ACTORS' !
Why do you assume that Kamal might not have seen
those movies you are talking about? Obviously he will have
better chances and resources than you to watch them?!
Regds
Mahesh