Director Sugan Karthi’s Moondram Ulaga Por is unique for the simple reason that it belongs to a genre that not many Tamil film directors have chosen yet — war. What’s more, the movie is set nearly 10 years into the future. No wonder then, all eyes are on this film and its director.
“My film explores the possibility of what could happen if there is a war between India and China in 2025. If you observe carefully, these two countries are the biggest powers in Asia and if there is a conflict between the two, other nations stand to benefit,” says Sugan Karthi.
Geopolitical experts say that the next war is likely to be fought over water. Is that the reason two countries in the film go to war? “No. There are several reasons for the war in my film. Many factors and complex ideas result in the outbreak of a war. The story takes place in 2025 but the war begins in 2022,” says Sugan.
But that’s not the point, says Sugan. “Look, if there is a Third World War, nobody will live to see the end of it; there will be no one left to tell the tale. My film will showcase that — the consequences of war, who really wins and who suffers,” he explains.
Sugan, who has a postgraduate degree in Literature, says he has been in love with the Army even when he was in college. “I was a senior under-officer in the NCC. I have always loved the Army.” So what stopped him from serving in the Armed Forces? “I wanted to become a director. But I decided that my first movie would be on war,” he says.
The film, which was shot in just 45 days, has Sunil Kumar playing the lead along with Akhila Kishore of Innimey Ippadithan (2015) fame. Talking about his cast, Sugan says, “Sunil has already worked in a film called Palai. He plays an Indian Major in the film. Akhila plays a homemaker. A Chinese artiste, Wilson, has played a Chinese Major. Although the film is on war, a part of it will also deal with romance.”
The film is all set to hit screens on January 22. Ask what viewers can expect from it and Sugan says, “Every Indian’s heart will swell with pride after watching this film.”
Ved Shankar’s Kalakkal Music
The music, composed by Ved Shankar, was launched earlier this month. The album has three songs by Shankar Mahadevan, Chinmayi, Shakthisree Gopalan and the music director himself. Lyricist Annamalai has penned all the songs. A former student of AR Rahman’s music school, Ved Shankar made his debut in Paalai (2010). He then had a breakthrough with his work in Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012).