Will Stalin conquer like Gazini?

Y. SUNITA CHOWDHARY

Post `Gazini', director Murugadoss is in demand. He's now directing Chiranjeevi's new film `Stalin'.

THE MAKING Director Murugadoss

Director Murugadoss' Gazini was undoubtedly the `it' movie of 2005 - a dazzling neo-noir thriller whose ingenious screenplay and brilliant editing left audiences asking for more. Very few films have had the strong impact that this beautifully crafted film had on its viewers. The film was a runaway hit both in Tamil and Telugu and the 32-year-old director found himself drawing loads of attention. Impressed by his capability to handle an unconventional theme, even A-list actors of the country like Aamir Khan and Chiranjeevi are showing interest to work with him. We caught up with the director to find out how he's dealing with his new-found success in Andhra Pradesh. Excerpts from a chat...

The film boasts of power-packed performances from both Surya and Asin. Ask Murugadoss how he managed to draw the best out of his actors and he says, "Since both are experienced and talented actors, I just needed to explain the story to them. As and when they had doubts, I was there to help them out." The director tells us that he had to do a lot of groundwork before working on the film.

"I travelled by bus, observed people in public places, and visited hospitals to study the lives of patients who are suffering from amnesia. I did all the necessary paper work and spent six months doing my research, without which it would have been impossible to handle the film. I think the film is like an engrossing novel where each chapter ends on a curious note and the next begins on a gripping note."

Right from his childhood, Murugadoss was inclined towards writing short stories and novels. Encouraged by people close to him, he moved from Kalla Kurichi in Salem district to Chennai. He started his career by working with writer Kalaimani, and then worked as an assistant director with Suryah for films like Vaali and Khushi. Murugadoss then turned director and gave hits like Deena and Ramana (the Tamil version of Tagore).

Murugadoss is now all set to direct Chiranjeevi for his new film, Stalin. On how he got the offer, the director reminisces, "We had a few postproduction problems on the eve of Gazini's release in Chennai. Producer Madhu, Paruchuri brothers, and Aravind helped us out. Later, they asked me to remake Gazini in Telugu with Pawan Kalyan. But since I was committed to Stalin, I had to get Gazini dubbed. Chiranjeevi is an icon and I'm a newcomer. I was nervous initially but he made things comfortable for me."

Surya takes cues from the director during the shooting of `Gazini'.

Murugadoss has a word of praise for Telugu directors. He lauds the talent pool in Telugu films and recollects how a number of Tamil filmmakers and technicians made a beeline to watch Okkadu when it was released in Chennai. "Even Anukokunda Oka Roju was a great film. Personally, I have found people here so helpful. Coming from Tamil Nadu I have a language problem, but the units here are cooperative." Finally, ask the director if he actually charges Rs 3 crore per film as rumours have it, and he says, "It's ridiculous. No one pays that much for director who's only done three films."

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