Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Upbeat mood: Prakash Raj

“Commerce is important, but for Duet Movies, it isn’t everything. Even if it means losing 50 lakhs, if something deserves to be documented I go ahead,” he says, in the midst of a shoot at Rajahmundry. He has huge plans for the Duet banner. His recently launched music wing, Duet Music, will release its maiden audio, ‘Vellithirai,’ on December 18.

“In another three years I wish to make music a buoyant, thriving industry, independent of cinema. The thought made me float Duet Music as a label for talents. Unlike places like Punjab where the art is celebrated, most of us have an ear only for film-oriented stuff. A capable flautist or sitar player warrants a showcase too. Duet will do it,” he laughs.

Prakash’s tryst with triumph actually began with the grease paint. Till date, as an actor he is an enigma. He can play a spoilt brat — a rather menacing one at that — (‘Ghilli’), follow it up with the part of a stubborn, sexagenarian dad of Sundar C. (‘Veerappu’) and almost simultaneously turn a loveable, humorous musician (‘Mozhi’), and do a convincing job of each. Be it a sloppy line or a clichéd character the actor has the potential to make his presence felt.

Comedy, tragedy, romance, villainy — Prakash portrays all with élan, transcending the image trap actors are generally caught in. So naturally he’s the USP in his home productions too.Getting back to Prakash the producer, today his Duet Movies has come a long way as a house of worthy ware, and at present the banner is involved in four projects.

The recent master stroke is his joining hands with Moser Baer and Mirchi Movies to make ‘Vellithirai,’ which will be out in January.

Also in the offing are ‘Abhiyum Naanum,’ a film that promises a fresh approach to the dad-daughter bonding starring Prakash Raj and Trisha, and ‘Mayilu’ set in a rustic ambience, both with Moser Baer, and ‘Inidhu Inidhu,’ solely a home production.

“I’m not sure whether going the corporate way is a pioneering move. All I know is Duet’s projects are content-driven and hence business houses have shown interest.” How does he manage so many things at a time? “As they say, the busiest man has time for everything,” he guffaws.

“As a team we are very upbeat about the way it has shaped up,” smiles Prakash. The Malayalam original (‘Udayanaanu Tharam’) was a super hit. “I felt the train of thoughts projected in ‘Udayan’ … are universal and suits any milieu, because after all, human psyche is the same everywhere … and please don’t term ‘Vellithirai’ a remake. ‘Inspiration’ would be a better word. In Udayan …’ the accent is on humour. But Viji’s ‘Vellithirai’ is more intense.”

Viji, a Duet camp constant, has excelled as a dialogue writer, though earlier his attempt at direction turned out to be a damp squib. “Look! There are one thousand ways to make a film. Probably as a director he didn’t get the right launch pad. His insights are interesting. They showed in his narration and dialogue. So we could think only of Viji as its director.”

Does Prakash interfere in his director’s work? “Why should I?” is the repartee. “At Duet, the director is king. We keep it that way.” Prithviraj is another Prakash favourite. He laughs: “He amazes me. Just 24 and he’s already a thinking actor.” Gopika’s role is another pivot in ‘Udayan’ … “She has the vulnerability the role demands and she’s proved a right choice” he explains.

About G. V. Prakash’s composing skills in ‘Vellithirai’: “His melodies are wonderful and orchestration good. A little ‘Rahman-ish’ in the beginning, G.V. is now moving away from the influence and finding his foothold.” Cinematographers Guhan, Thiru, Panneerselvam and Niru have wielded the camera for ‘Vellithirai.’ “The script demanded such visual variety,” says Prakash. The crew has shot in exotic locations in Indonesia, Bali, Jaipur and Udaipur.

As the captain of his crew, tackling ego hassles at the work spot must be an everyday affair. “Telling me!” he laughs. “I handle it gingerly, as I would an ailment like a cold or cough.”

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail