Joining the list of technicians who have donned the director's hat will be film editor Anthony. The technician who has tidied more than 32 south Indian films is now directing a film titled 'Jagajaala Prathaban'. And it seems like it’s not a decision taken all of a sudden. “I’ve always wanted to direct films. Though I tried writing scripts, it didn’t work out well,” says Anthony. Knowing his passion for direction, his friends Vijay Anand and Anil Vijayan who own Black and White Production Company approached Anthony along with actor Yugi Sethu and his script. “I happily agreed because I liked Yugi’s script,” he says. 'Jagajaala Prathaban' will be an out and out comedy film with well-known actors Jayaram, Yugi Sethu, Namitha donning the greasepaint. Yugi Sethu, who will also be writing the dialogues for the family entertainer, will be offering a touch of spontaneous comedy to the script. Anthony is now hunting for another actress for the film. “It might be either Lakshmi Rai or Sangeetha,” he informs.
GV Prakash will score music and the film is said to accommodate only a few songs. “People always want to see something different. In this film, people will definitely see something different,” avers Anthony, who will edit his own film. The medium budget film will have a duration that is less than the usual Kollywood films. The film will go on floors in December and the first schedule will be shot in the city and the next in Malaysia. The film is set to hit the screens in April 2009.
So how does it feel to be behind the camera without any experience? “I learnt a lot from observing the film rushes when they come to me for editing,” says a confident Anthony, who also feels that many film editors have been creating unnatural scenes on the edit tables claiming it to be ‘Anthony’s style’. “They even make special effects making the hero go upside down and they say it’s Anthony’s style,” he qualms.
Having carved a niche for himself in the field of ad commercials and film editing, Anthony is now confident to make a mark in filmmaking as well. “I will also be simultaneously editing films like 'Ayan', 'Enthiran', 'Chennaiyil Oru Mazhai Kaalam', director Lingusamy's next and other ad commercials,” signs off the editor.
tejonmayam@epmltd.com