Special slot for music

THANKAR BACHCHAN is translating into celluloid a story he has nurtured for 25 years. He wrote the story of ``Azhagi'' in 1983 and wanted to cast Shabhana Azmi as the heroine. But opportunity came after many years and he decided that he would launch the project only if Nandita Das accepted the role. ``As far as I know, the role of Dhanalakshmi can be done only by her. She agreed and work is on in full swing,'' says Thankar Bachchan.

The story revolves round Shanmugam (Parthiban) and Dhanalakshmi (Nandita Das). Most of the scenes are shot in a cashew field. Dhanalakshmi is a worker in the team that lays roads and she lives on the pavement. She meets Parthiban after 15 years.

For the director it is a different kind of film. ``For me there are many highlights. First it is Ilaiyaraaja. I gave him the entire script to read and decide where the songs should be placed. He not only selected the situations but also wrote four of the six songs. The film communicates through music and I have spared more frames for Ilayaraja's re-recordings and less for dialogue.''

Nandita Das seems to be happy working for Tamil films. ``I came here to work for this film and the second time I got a call from director Maniratnam and I am also working in his film. This film is certainly different. I take the middle of the road. My films are neither art nor commercial. For me every film is an interesting experiment. This film has regional flavour. It is too early to say anything more about it.''

The starcast comprises Shayaji Shinde, Devayani, Vivek, Vadivelu, Dr. K. Gunasekaran, Kumaravel and Aravind Bachchan (son of the director). Two songs are written by Pazhani Bharathi, editing is done by Lenin and art is by K. Krishnamurthy. Story, screenplay, dialogue, cinematography and direction are by Thankar Bachchan.

S. R. ASHOK KUMAR

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