Porampokku on international issue

Jananathan, the National Award winning filmmaker who comes up with out-of-the-box themes, is all geared up for his next film, interestingly titled Porampokku. Though the title was dragged into controversy, finally the makers were able to get it approved and Jana was also happy as it reflects the subject well. The Peraanmai director spoke to DC about how he roped in two sensational youngsters, Arya and Vijay Sethupathi, as his lead and shares an exclusive picture from the photo shoot done recently. “I am working with them for the first time. And when they came together for the photo shoot, I came to know that both of them are meeting for the first time. But they bonded so well and made my work easy during the look test shoot (see pic),“ he says.

On the unique title for the film, Porampokku, he says, “When I googled the word, it said, 'no man's land or waste land'. Porampokku is used colloquially to demean others, but it has a deeper meaning and historical importance. It is related to life. There are 15 varieties of Porampokku, including the land used for the graveyard, lands where rivers flow, lands which are grazed on by cattle and sheep etc. I have heard and read that the vast rich minerals that are obtained from sand mines near the beaches of Tamil Nadu could cater to the entire world's requirements. I have taken this as a base, but my story deals with an international issue." Quiz him if it would put him in a spot of bother, he says, “Anything which probes real life will be dragged into controversy . Let me see when it comes." Apparently, there's no look change for both actors except that Arya dons a thick moustache and a beard.

Jana is one director who is particular that his heroines understand the language in which they work. Porampokku has romance too, he says, “And I am yet to finalise the two female leads. I have shortlisted a few. I don't go for the big names, I prefer relatively new faces. I am looking out for girls who understand Tamil and there's a bit of action also involved for the two leading ladies."

The first schedule starts from early January in Kulu Manali since Jana says he wants a snowy backdrop for these portions.