'JK goes beyond kadhal'

Cheran, the prolific filmmaker turned actor who has rendered many poignant entertainers in the past, including Bharathi Kannama, Autograph, Vettrikodi Kattu, Thavamai Thavamairindhu and Pokkisham, is back to where he started — direction. He returns with a bang with his latest offering, a bilingual, which is JK Enum Nanbanin Vazhkai in Tamil and Yemito Ee Maaya in Telugu which he says is inspired by his life experiences. The film has Tollywood actor Sharwanand and Nithya Menen in the lead and is to hit the cinema halls on December 20. The movie revolves around youngsters and how they face challenges in today’s world. The director feels that it will be a bridge between him and students. Cheran speaks to DC in a freewheeling interview about his film, why he chose Sharwa, how filmmakers of today should have social responsibilities, the sabbatical from direction and more.

“I know audiences yearn for good movies and I can only make such flicks that send positive vibes and energy to them. JKENV is no different,” he says.

On shifting focus to acting from direction

Maya Kannadi which I directed and co-produced suffered heavy financial losses. I needed time to stabilise myself then. Around the same time many acting offers came pouring in. I also wanted a break.  But the urge to direct films was constantly there in me. I adapted myself to changes and JK Enum Nanbanin Vazhkai is happening at the right juncture of my career.

The film is for students. They will be able to relate to the movie. It is about how a sudden catastrophe makes a youth realise how important he is to his family and society. Today’s youngsters don’t know how to face the future. They take life for granted and indulge in many unwanted activities, including wrong lifestyles, neglecting their health, drinking etc. There are no smoking scenes in the movie. But it has only one scene with drinking in it to prove a point about the hazards of it. Though romance is also there, JK…deals with something beyond kadhal.

FB an integral character in the film

The pluses and minuses of social media have been discussed at length in the movie. Facebook, which has become an integral part of society, plays a prominent role in the film. How my hero uses his FB account for a reason forms the crux of the film. I was one of the early birds in the film industry to start a Facebook account. It helps to make new friends, connect to everybody, widens one’s knowledge. But at the same time, it has its own perils as well.

Humour not the order of the day in K’town

Oh, no, it is just a myth. People are receptive to good movies whenever they get released. All depends on what we provide them. When I deliberately stayed away from direction, fans often asked me when I would make films, like Vettri Kodi Kattu, which had a larger message, besides entertainment. I was surprised to see that the likes of Autograph and Thavamai Thavamirundhu are still fresh in their minds.

Santhanam worked 15 days for me. He came across as a very fine person. He was on time for every shoot and did his part well. He has a very decent and calm humorous character sans double meaning dialogues.

Choosing Sharwanand over others

Many actors turned down my earlier film, Autograph, and I finally took a call and donned the actor’s role myself. I wanted to restrict myself only to direction with JK… When I approached a few popular actors, they didn’t want to act in this film and turned it down without even hearing the script. One hero who has become popular of late didn’t even bother to reply to my SMS.  I was put in a similar predicament when I did Autograph.  Later, I met Sharwanand who, after listening to my narration, was only too happy to be a part of this project. I thank those actors who refused to give me a call sheet; or I would have missed out on an extraordinary performer like Sharwa.

Since the film is for the youth, this is a contest for college students from across Tamil Nadu. The contest invites video entries from Viscom students, wherein they have to create a concept and shoot any of the four songs from JKENV and send the video. It gives an opportunity to identify fresh talent. So far, there has been an overwhelming response.  Finalists will get cash prizes and the first three winners will be announced at the time of the film’s release. They will be attached to the movie in all the theatres and screened.