My film is not inspired by anyone. I just want it to be a reference point for the next generation,” asserts Suresh Sangaiah, director of the offbeat Tamil movie Oru Aatu Kidayin Karunai Manu. Not many directors could have thought of making a goat a protagonist albeit in a metaphorical sense and told the story of a trip it made with a motley crowd accompanying it to fulfill a vow and the curious turn of events.
He reminisces, “In our villages, a large group of people—family and friends— would travel to temples during special occasions. They would also take an animal for offering.”
Peppered with liberal doses of humour, the film pans out organically, and is clean and wholesome fun. Suresh is not inclined to taking a stand whether slaughter for offering is right or wrong but simply says, “I didn’t want to give any advice because I never liked it when I was lectured to by my parents.” What he does feel strongly about is that modernisation has taken a toll on many village practices. “The simple joys and the unity among village folk are all missing.”
As for the goat, which he found near Sathur—it is still being raised in his house in Karisalkulam, Rajapalayam. How did the goat perform as an actor? “Initially every time we had to get it on to the lorry and out of it was a problem, but subsequently it got used to it.” The film was released on May 6, at the Indian film festival in New York after which it hit theatres back home in early June. “I wasn’t granted a visa so missed the release at New York,” he says. He is heartened by the critical acclaim from the media and industry but feels he could do with a little more publicity.
Though just one film old, 33-year-old Suresh Sangaiah displays a fine understanding of his craft. It is a bit of a surprise to hear that he actually struggled to find his métier. “I used to read a lot. Once the film Poo directed by Sasi was screened in my village, I got introduced to director Manikandan of Kaaka Muttai fame. I worked in that film as an assistant director and came out wanting to direct a film of my own.”