Thoongaavanam Director is a Big Fan of Kamal Haasan, the Writer

First time director Rajesh M Selva shares his experience of working with Kamal Haasan, the brilliant actor and writer

Deepavali in Tamil Nadu isn’t complete without a film release and this time two biggies clash at the box office. One is Ajith’s Vedalam, that also stars Shruti Haasan in the lead. The other is Kamal Haasan’s Thoongaavanam, directed by his long-time assistant Rajesh M Selva.

I make a mention of the father-daughter battle and the director is quick to rebut,

No we never talk about things like this. Our job is done and it’s in the audience’s hands now.

- Rajesh M Selva, Director of Thoongaavanam

Releasing around the megastar’s 61st birthday (November 7th), Thoongaavanam is expecting a bit turn out. Rajesh doesn’t hide his jubilation at making a debut directing his favourite star, but he was not the least nervous, he maintains. He recollects his first meeting with the star,

My friend was working with Raajkamal Films (founded by Kamal Haasan) and they were looking for assistants with some experience in the media. I got an offer to work with them, I met the line producer first, the producer later and then Kamal Haasan. It was on May 23rd, 2008. I was waiting in the conference room, when he came I stood up and wished him. I’ll never forget that meeting.

- Rajesh M Selva

Rajesh has worked with him on several projects since then.

I started my work in Marmayogi (shelved due to budget constraints) as the third assistant director. Then I worked in Manmadhan Anbu as a co-director, in Vishwaroopam and its sequel, as an assistant director and script supervisor and recently in Utthama Villain as his first assistant . I love his writing. He’s a brilliant writer, that’s why I think he acts so well. We’ve all seen Virumandi and Hey Ram, so you know what I’m talking about.

- Rajesh M Selva

We chatted up with Rajesh M Selva on directing Kamal Haasan and what Thoongaavanam, titled Cheekati Rajyam in Telugu, is all about.

Q: Thoongaavanam is the Tamil adaptation of Nuit Blanche. Did Kamal Haasan have any reservations about doing a remake?

No he just wants to make good films. He only wants copyrights to be in place, so that there are no issues when the script is adapted into another screenplay. We had long discussions before we started. Adapting the characters into Tamil and Telugu versions while keeping the thrill intact was the challenge. He’s written the screenplay for the film and it was his idea to ask me to direct the film.

Q: Were you prepared to take inputs from Kamal Haasan?

Well, I would be losing a lot if I did not care for his inputs. Before shoots, we have a lot of discussions and arguments, but when on floors, we just go about our work. Kamal sir does not interfere in my work at all. I didn’t have any situation where I disagreed with him.

Q: How was it working with Kamal Haasan, the actor?

He is a very disciplined, intelligent and thinking actor. But even for a man of his caliber, he would always be willing to give me an extra take if I asked him to. Only I needed to have solid reasons for demanding it. Thanks to his experience, he was always intuitive enough to understand why I was asking for a second take and he would improvise on his own.

Q: Tell us about Trisha, Prakash Raaj and Asha Sharath’s characters

I’ve already worked with Trisha and Prakash Raaj. Trisha plays the role of an officer with the Narcotics Control Bureau. I found her very professional to work with. I am really honoured to have directed her in the 50th film of her character. I just shot with her for two days. She appears in a small role, but a very effective role that triggers a sequence of events.

Q: A Kamal Haasan films opens with a lot of expectations. What kind of film is Thoongaa Vanam?

Film lovers can go to theatres expecting a good movie. For hardcore Kamal fans, this one has everything—comedy, action, sentiment, romance, just about everything that they expect from their star, plus a surprise waiting for them in the end.

Q: What’s next after Thoongaavanam for you?

I’m going to be involved in the planning and execution of Kamal sir’s next project with TK Rajeev Kumar. I’ll also be directing him soon in another project. That’ll be soon after his project with Rajeev Kumar. The script is not finalized yet. We’re toying with a couple of ideas. I want it to come out next Diwali.

Thoongaavanam hits theatre screens on November 10th while Cheekati Rajyam is set for release on November 20th.