Having assisted Rajiv Menon in ad films, and SJ Suryah as assistant director, Lakshman is now ready to test the waters with his debut directorial venture Romeo Juliet. The film is almost complete with just 10 days of shooting left. In a chat with CE, he reveals why the movie will be an important one for Jayam Ravi and Hansika.
“I joined film school and dropped out before joining Rajiv Menon as assistant for ad films,” says Lakshman. “Films were always a passion, though I had no godfathers in the industry. The only connection with films I had was that I was born in Sivasankar master’s house, since my family were tenants there!” Lakshman is an ad filmmaker and runs the Dream Makers company. He’s brought his ad experience to the fore with the snazzy posters of Romeo Juliet showing Hansika and Jayam Ravi fighting with each other, ironic to the title. “Yes, Romeo and Juliet were legendary lovers. But my characters are a modern day take on them, hence the accompanying tagline — The New Version. Both are self-centred, despite the romance between them. It’s a slice-of-life film, taken from experiences in my life and the lives of my friends. I observed how lovers interacted in malls, parks and coffee shops, and incorporated them in the movie,” he says.
Though Lakshman had several scripts in his hands, he felt that Romeo Juliet was the best to approach Jayam Ravi with. “Ravi has the classic loverboy looks that will be showcased in my film. He plays a character that is different from his other films. He is a six-pack specialist gym coach. Hansika is usually portrayed as a loving doll or beauty queen, but she has Simran and Jothika’s potential when it comes to acting. Her talent has not been fully tapped yet. She plays an air hostess in the movie,” he says.
Lakshman is all praise for his lead pair who had total faith in him. He gives credit to cameraman Soundarrajan of Maattraan fame, whom he calls his backbone. The unit is heading to Langkawi for a song shoot before wrapping up.