Achchamillai... is not a political film: Ameer

Noted actor-director Ameer, who was mired in controversy recently for his alleged remarks on PM Modi and Superstar Rajinikanth, is hitting the bull’s eye once again with his production venture Achchamillai Achchamillai. The film talks about the important issue of chemicals and dyes used in textile dyeing units in Tirupur and Coimbatore, which are a constant threat to ground water.

K. Balachander’s political satire with the same title, which was released in 1984, was about party switching by politicians. The filmmaker, who recently announced his next directorial Sandhana Devan on jallikattu, clarifies on the speculation — “No, this is not a political film, but it’s on a specific issue of how the sludge generated from the textile units in Tirupur, are drained through the effluent discharged into nearby river bodies causing a threat to humans. We have lost a river called Noyyal, which has turned barren because of the toxic industrial wastes from Tirupur.”

He adds, “The movie is directed by one of my assistants Muthugopal. One day, he came to me with his movie, 70 per cent completed, in which he has also played  the lead role and sought my financial help to complete the film. He also requested that I play an  important role. I was very apprehensive to say yes initially — because when it is coming from my school — I expected it to be respectable. When I saw the movie though, I was lured by its solid content and agreed to produce it, besides making a special appearance as a farmer in the film!”

The title was earlier different and it was Ameer who changed it to Achchamillai Achachamillai. “Now that there’s an awakening everywhere among the youth, I felt this is the right time to address the issue. Moreover, Muthugopal was born and brought up in Tirupur and has registered what was seen by him and how the villagers suffer from health hazards, loss of agriculture and its social consequences. But, he has portrayed it in an entertaining manner, instead of as a documentary. I met KB sir’s daughter Pushpa Kandaswamy and took permission to use the title.”

Director Muthugopal feels that despite government efforts to bring the norms of ‘Zero liquid discharging’, it has not been implemented effectively. Describing his experiences while shooting at real locations in Tirupur, Muthugopal says, “I was facing several problems while shooting there — such as threatening calls from unknown people asking me to leave. We couldn’t keep the cameras anywhere! I was literally wasting my time roaming for two months without shooting. Despite hindrances, I have completed my film and feel proud that my mentor is releasing it.”

Ameer says he doesn’t expect the film to be a blockbuster though. “I am happy if it reaches the audience and creates the right impact. Then I am even game for a sequel to Achchamillai...” While Chandini Tamilarasan plays the lead heroine opposite Muthugopal, Hareesh Jalae and Tharushi are the second lead pair.