PC Shekar is one director who has not restricted himself to any one genre. After trying his hands at romance, comedy and action-based movies, he is set to attempt next a musical film Raaga. With the movie slated for release this week, City Express converses with the director.
Shekar says that it is always challenging to explore new subjects and genre and he promises that Raaga has something new for the audience. “Raaga explores the difference between the pursuit of happines and the pursuit of peace,” he says. “There is high philosophy in it.
The bottom line is that the height of love is when two mind connect. That’s why I have made the two characters, played by Mitra and Bhama, blind. The two speak from their hearts to each other and the story is told through music.”
He, however, asserts that Raaga is not an offbeat film and that it has all the commercial elements. Shekar says that music director Arjun Janya plays a crucial role in its making. “I have to tried to tap the subconscious mind and connect the film with music,” he says, “and Arjun has shaped the film with his songs, they form the soul of Raaga. He will definitely do better on rerecording.”
The director also credits the camerawork by Vaidi, the artwork team and the costume designers for the film. “The characters are blind but their imaginations is what drive the visuals,” he says.
“The cameraman had to keep pace with my novel narration. Similarly the art director had to carefully think of the colour theme, which had to blend into the background with the costumes taking the foreground of the film. Every factor was closely looked into and matched with the costumes.”
He make a special mention of Bhama’s dedication towards the making of this movie. “The amount of pain the actress went through to keep their eyes crossed... it can only be applauded. It was a challenge for her, to play a blind character. Similarly Mitra too put in so much effort.He was the actor and the producer and he handled both his responsibilities well. People have seen him as a comedian, and I have attempted to give him a new avataar in Raaga. I had to change his physical appearance, his attire and behaviour,” says Shekar.