Ilaiyaraaja roped in for a rural subject

Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who is choosy about his films, has accepted to score music for a rural project titled Kalathur Gramam. Directed by Saran K Advaitha, the movie is a period film set in the 80s on the TN-Andhra border — and deals with the major conflict that existed between people who thrive on karuvelam trees and the police.

Kishore is essaying the lead, while Yagna Shetty from Sandalwood acts as his pair. Talking to DC, Saran said, “Even while I was writing the script of Kalathur Gramam, which is set in the backdrop of a dry and barren land, I thought only Raaja sir would do justice to the film. When I told my producer, he immediately agreed. We then went and narrated the script to Raaja sir — he liked it and agreed to be a part of it, if we adhered to certain conditions. I then completed the movie. He composed the background score and two songs, only after he was satisfied with my filmmaking style!”

On Kishore’s role, the director reveals, “As Kidathirusai, he is sporting two different looks in the story, which spans a time frame between the 80s and 2000. There’s a young and spirited Kishore and a slightly aged character too.”