His first film Soodhu Kavvum (2013) was a phenomenal hit and sources say his next, Kadhalum Kadhandu Pogum is well on its way to creating a sensation. There’s already buzz around this film and excitement among all those associated with it.
But director Nalan Kumarasamy seems unaffected by all the excitement. He continues to remain calm and composed. “Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum is a romantic-comedy. Imagine watching a film which is a rom-com that features the kind of friendship one usually gets to witness in films by director Vikraman. That is exactly what my film will be,” says Nalan, in his inimitable style.
He believes that there aren’t too many Tamil films that can lay claim to being a perfect rom-com. “Usually, you either have a little more romance, or a heavier dose of comedy. Very few movies like Kadhalil Sodhappuvadu Eppadi (2012) and Unnale Unnale (2007) can claim to have a perfect blend of both. My film blends both in equal measure,” says Nalan.
“I finished the script for this film almost a year-and-a-half ago. It is an official remake of a Korean film. Actor Vijay Sethupathi was really interested in this project. We were about to start work on it when we realised expectations had risen after my first film, and so, producer CV Kumar and I thought since people expected a dark comedy from us after my first film, we should give it to them,” says Nalan. “However, we later realised that there should be a pleasant surprise and people should get something more enterprising. So we chose to go ahead with this script.says Nalan. Vijay Sethupathi readily came aboard as he had great belief in this script.”
The heroine of the film, Madonna Sebastian, will be making her debut in Tamil through Nalan’s film. “I got to know of Madonna through Malayalam director Alphonse Puthran, who sent me her pictures. She was perfect for this character,” he says. Nalan adds that he never looks to deliver messages through his films, but this film, shot within 50 days in Chennai and Kanchipuram, may or may not have a message. “As directors, we only look to tell a story. It may or may not have a point,” he says. Talking about whether he has been in love, Nalan says, “Never. I belong to the anti-romance category. I am not an expert on romance but I believe there is a beauty in it that even people like me can’t ignore sometimes.”
Nalan’s Views on Romance:
I have never been in love. I belong to the anti-romance category. I am not an expert on romance but believe there’s a beauty in it that even people like me can’t ignore sometimes