CHENNAI: A master storyteller of unconventional themes and hard hitting subjects, a visual artist who beautifully painted human emotions on screen, veteran filmmaker the late K Balachander still remains one of the most prolific filmmakers in Tamil cinema. But what he portrayed on screen sometimes went beyond characters and their emotions. The essence of locations and the grandeur of the city, which was once known as Madras, were captured in several of his films.
From making audience go gaga over the Theosophical Society — where Adhisaya Ragam, a song from the National Award winning Apoorva Raagangal (1975) was filmed, to making Hotel Kanchi, Egmore, a landmark through his movies, the ace director had an eye for the different facets of the city. So, what was Madras according to him? Bombay Chanakya, GM, Kavithalaya, talks about the ‘Then and Now’ of the city.
“As a filmmaker, he was one of the firsts to go beyond the limits of shooting within a studio. He explored the city and used it to its maximum potential!” shares the theatre director, whose life changed after he met KB, over two decades ago. Capturing the 60s’ landscape of the city in the movie, Anubavi Raja Anubavi (1967), KB left the song Madras Nalla Madras and the image of a happy-go-lucky Nagesh strolling through iconic locations in the city, resonating in people’s minds.
Chanakya came to Chennai in 1988. Ask him what the city through his eyes in the ‘now’ is and he ponders. “Well... For a person who had come from Mumbai — a city with night life — Chennai in the 80s was a shock! Everyone used to go back homes by 8.30pm and for me, to even go out to buy food after that was difficult,” he recalls. But, the city changed rapidly, especially after the IT boom, he opines. “From culture, food, lifestyle to theatre things have changed. Today, we can only see most of the old Madras through films! It’s a welcome change...when it comes to safety, ‘namma ooru’ is the best.”
He likes to stick to the Madras that was portrayed through the eyes of Balachander. The five-star stores on Cathedral Road featured in Moondru Mudichu (1976) and the songs of Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974) shot in VGP Golden Beach remain his favourites from KB’s creation. “Though all of this was before I met him, he used to recall memories of the shoot. In fact we had gone to VGP to film a serial and he remembered specific spots where the songs were shot!” he says. The ‘Devika house’ on Disilva Road and ‘Sridevi house’ in Saidapet, became popular locations for in-door shoots. “After KB started shooting in real houses, others followed suit.”
A bitter-sweet memory of the Madras he once knew lingers as he talks about Spencer Plaza, Drive-in Woodlands restaurant and the LIC building. “Sometimes it’s sad that old places are either over looked or shut down. The Woodlands restaurant was a go-to place for anyone in the entertainment industry,” he avers. “I used to spend hours there! But, I am happy that the iconic LIC has retained its erstwhile charm.”
Though the affinity towards Mumbai is a forever for Chanakya, today, he calls Chennai his city. “I am comfortable and happy here and the city knows to balance its old charm and its new changes. That’s what makes it special,” he adds.
Chanakya will talk about ‘Madras in the eyes of legendary film & drama Director Late K Balachander and now Chennai, in the eyes of Bombay Chanakya’, today, 10 am at Russian Cultural Centre. The event is open to members and guests of Probus Club only