Scoring with a message

IT WAS a curtain raiser with a difference. Not a preview in the strict sense. A few clippings, song sequences in particular, which gave not even a remote clue about the theme of the film, were shown. Your curiosity was aroused and that was it. Probably that was the idea. To draw crowds to the theatres to see for themselves what the hype was all about.

The image-building exercise for the film - "Nidaan" in Hindi and "Uyirin Uyirae"in Tamil is lucidly explained by producer R.V.Pandit.

And as you listen to him your conjecture is that what you witnessed was not just a preview that was different. Probably there are a whole lot of other things about the film that would make it distinct.

For R. V. Pandit the film comes after his much-acclaimed, award- winning "Maachis". And the enthusiasm with which he speaks about the response "Uyirin Uyirae" is bound to evoke, does rub off on you.

He describes it as a movie with a concrete message. A message that would leave an indelible imprint in the viewers' minds. "The novelty and suspense will be lost if I disclose the story or the theme", is Pandit's refrain.

Incidentally, the film was screened for the Prime Minister first and it was Mr.Vajpayee who christened it "Nidaan". So impressed was he with the theme. Tax exemption has been accorded to the film in several States where it is to be released in early July simultaneously in several languages, including the original Hindi version.

Named "Manasuna Manasai" in Telugu and "Edi Kathai Illa" in Malayalam, the film is all set to create records and usher in an interesting genre of films, wherein a strong, significant and vital social message is imparted along with commercial ingredients. Because, as Pandit points out, a film that is not commercially viable can make no impact.

"Nidaan" has already been shown to groups of policemen, lawyers and a cross section of society, to study the impact, more as a test marketing strategy. The result has only been more than satisfying.

UNICEF and WHO, though initially reluctant, screened the film in 15 centres and have been taken aback by the "amazing response". They now feel that they have an invaluable weapon which could prove useful to people the world over in "Nidaan".

Marudhabharani, who has written the dialogues and lyrics for the Tamil version, asserts that it is a profound film for the entire family and personally a very fulfilling project for him.

MaheshManjrekar, who made the commercially successful "Vaastav", is the film's story and screenplay writer and its director too. An impressive cast in the form of Shivaji Satam and Reema Lagu, a youthful lead pair, Sunil Bharve and Nisha Bains and crowd-puller Sanjay Dutt in a cameo appearance, all add to the glitter.

The message could range from Leptospirosis to Hepatitis or from Family Planning to AIDS. Whatever it may be, it comes with total commitment to a worthy cause. And it is only too clear that the makers do not want the film to be an "also ran" or rather an "also dubbed" but one that stands apart, distinct and different.

MALATHI RANGARAJAN

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