Two instances drew every one’s attention at the launch of a single track from the upcoming bilingual Moone Moonu Vaarthai — the veteran playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam launching it, and the informal setting. Amid the shopping crowd at the Phoenix Market City, the debutant music composer Karthikeya Murthy played the song in the background while the legendary singer performed an unplugged version of the song Vaazhum Naal, for the audience. This was the first time that SPB had performed at a launch, according to his son and producer of the film SP Charan. “The way audio launches are being held has become predictable. People are being invited and they talk on and on. Hence we preferred to have it this way. The film has four songs and we’ve planned to release one single every week,” he said. On the sidelines of the launch, CE caught up with singer-actor-producer SP Charan, who’s keen to do a film with Vijay, soon. Excerpts from the interview...
What’s Moone Moonu Vaarthai all about?
It is a rom-com and the plot revolves around two youngsters, who end up in a business after getting tired of being called irresponsible and lazy by family and friends. We extensively shot in Chennai and Hyderabad. It took 73 days for us to complete both versions of the film. Many important things in our life are expressed in three words and hence the title.
Chennai 28 was a huge hit but you’ve not seen much success. Films like Mazhai, Naanayam, Aaranya Kaandam and Thirudan Police didn’t do well at the box office...
I think I didn’t go wrong anywhere. Those were the films that I aimed to do. But producing films is my first love. I think it has become an addiction rather. Often, the scripts I choose probe the possibilities of a good film. Honestly, I get the numbers right mostly. Be it the distribution or the budget for that matter. In my view, I have always been this man who does something new that wasn’t attempted so far.
How do you see success then?
I haven’t mastered the art of producing films, but I feel it will just be a matter of time before I do it. I am enjoying what I am doing though it’s quite taxing. It’s challenging and fun. Not many get to do interesting films and yet sustain the audience’s interest. The industry is a place where success and failures make us anxious, isn’t it? Success has been a struggle, yes. But failures don’t deter me. (Smiles) I’m still learning with every film.
One lesson that you have learnt...
We should never underestimate the audience and their ability to encourage good films.
Why is that you always cast fresh faces? Is it a deliberate choice that you avoid star heroes?
My confidence level has risen considerably. Of course, there are unlimited fights and chases. But these days, it has always been the low-budget films that are being more popular and talked about. Even in this film, most members of the technical crew, including the music director, are newcomers. I am open to experimentation and hey, it’s nice to give opportunities to the talented, right?
What are your future plans?
I have been trying to do a film with Vijay and let’s see. In fact, I have been trying this for the past three years. I hope it would happen soon.
(Starring Arjun Chidambaram, Aditi Chengappa, Harinathan Venkatesh and directed by Madhumita of Vallamai Thaarayo fame, the film is expected to release in mid February.)