Arun Chidambaram's debut film Kanavu Variyam soaring high

Chennai-based filmmaker Arun Chidambaram couldn’t have asked for a better start. His debut film Kanavu Variyam, which deals with the power cuts in villages across Tamil Nadu, has won the prestigious Remi Award at the 49th WorldFest Houston International. “Kanavu... had earlier been screened at the National Science Film Festival in India where it bagged the Special Jury Award. I am glad that the film is going places, literally,” says Arun, who plays the lead role in the film and directed it, too.

“I completed my Master’s in the US and worked for JP Morgan Chase in Chicago. I realised that my calling was films and then came to Chennai to pursue my dream of cinema. Ever since I developed this passion, I wanted to convey something through my work. Even this script has been narrated in an engaging way. Since the issue is prominent and relevant, I guess it’s been widely talked about,” adds Arun. A song from the film, Kalla manna, has also been selected to be screened at the Bare Bones International Film and Music video festival.

Arun says he believes in promoting films internationally before it gets released officially. “It’s an added push and gives recognition to a film and brings in non-Tamil audiences. But being selected at festivals doesn’t mean a movie will work well commercially. The journey from festivals to the mainstream is rarely easy. As offbeat films often rely on word of mouth publicity, they often get shifted to larger screens if received well. The easiest way is through a popular festival circuit. I’d be truly happy only if my film is commerically successful,” he concludes.