Nowadays, it’s quite normal to see producers coming to Kollywood from the US, South East Asia and other countries. But it was an unusual sight to see a Japanese co-producer for a Tamil film at the Jumbo 3 D meet. Kyohito Okida and G Hari Narayanan, business partners in Japan, decided to take their partnership further and produce a film. “For the Japanese, Indian films mean only Rajinikanth,” says Okida. “ Now, with Jumbo 3D, we are happy to be making a film jointly, showcasing Indo–Japanese culture. Ninety per cent of it has been shot in Japan.” Okida has also acted in the movie.
Jumbo 3D is about three youngsters who get lost in Japan, and how they manage to survive and solve their problems without knowing Japanese. Directed by Hari and Harish of Aaah fame, the film stars Gokul and Anjana in the lead, with Suganya, Erode Mahesh, Kumki Ashwin and Lollu Sabha Jeeva playing important roles. Baby Hamsika, daughter of co-producer Hari Narayanan, plays a pivotal role.
“The highlight of the film is the performance of Gokul, who is a mime artist. Since the characters don’t speak Japanese, Gokul uses Charlie Chaplinesque mime to get by in Japan. We have captured the different aspects of Japanese and Tamil cultures in a way that will promote better understanding. Though we have done mainly horror films before, Jumbo will be a big draw for kids and family audiences. We plan to release it in Japan as well,” says the duo.
The film has been shot in several locations of Toyoma, for which the Japanese government had given special permission. “People think that Japan is mostly about big cities like Tokyo. But we wanted to show the vast beauty of the Japanese countryside,” says Okida. Producer Harinarayan is actively involved with the Tokyo Tamil Sangam and is keen on fermenting ties between Japan and the Tamil film industry. “We have been helping Tamil film units to come and shoot in Japan. The shooting of Sundar C’s Theeya Velai Seiyanum Kumaru paved the way, followed by many films like Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara, Jilla and Vai Raja Vai. We have helped them with all facilities, right from visas to locations. Japanese government officials have helped us in this matter.” In Jumbo, around 100 Japanese people have acted and live sync sound has been used since it wasn’t possible to bring them all to India for the dubbing.