After directing the critically-acclaimed Kaaka Muttai (2014) and Kuttrame Thandanai (2016), his new film — Aandavan Kattalai, starring Vijay Sethupathi and Ritika Singh of Irudhi Suttru (2016) fame, was a different kind of experience to cinematographer-filmmaker Manikandan. “The subject will be quirky and different from regular films. Unlike my earlier projects, this has a lighter subject, which has scope for comedy. It won’t be a full-length, humourous film. When you watch it, you’ll see why I chose Aandavan Kattalai as the title,” he opines.
When he approached Vijay Sethupathi with the script, the actor was excited because of the content. “The film revolves around the issue of fake passports. How the characters pursue their dreams of travelling abroad forms the crux of the story. Ritika plays a journalist. This is a simple, yet an effective script. You can’t classify this film under one genre, as it has a mix of everything. I have paid attention to the details of every character and developed them further,” he smiles.
Speaking about the lead actors, Manikandan cannot stop gushing about Vijay Sethupathi, with whom he has already worked together in a few short films. “It’s very surprising to see that fame hasn’t changed him a bit. He’s still the same guy I knew. It’s going to be a visual treat for his fans! He was instrumental in creating excitement and curiosity as far as this film is concerned,” he says.
He is also impressed with Ritika’s commitment to the film. “She is hard working. Though she had issues with the language in the beginning, we trained her. She has delivered a wonderful performance. I wanted her for this film after I saw Irudhi Suttru. She’s casual in front of the camera.”
So, what’s next? “I have Kadaisi Vivasayi (The Last Farmer) in my kitty. I love making hard-hitting films on realistic subjects. More than anything else, I believe that films need to have a special quality to win the hearts of the audience and cinema lovers. Ideas and the concept are important and that’s what drives me into films,” he shares.
To ensure a hit, a lot of factors like the art of storytelling, and framing of the film matter. He elaborates on the subject and adds that in the coming years, struggle for making good and valid films will be the same. “As a director, I am conscious about not repeating the scripts,” he grins.
Manikandan has seen a number of sweeping changes in K’town. “Films like Kaaka Muttai (2014) showed us what we all could do as storytellers. I would like to do a mix of both commercial and art-house cinema in future,” he says.
Touted to be an entertainer with a twist, Aandavan Kattalai is produced by GN Anbu Chezhiyan of Gopuram Films.