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--------Bharathiraja
 To
Iyakkunar Imayam Bharathiraja goes the credit of taking Tamil
Films from the dark corridors of studios to the open air
village, town and to the rural interiors. He has, after a short
interval, directed Bommalattam, which is to be released soon. We
asked him to say something about Bommalattam:
Bharathiraja: Two NRI friends of mine from USA came
forward to produce my dream film, 'Kutra Paramparai'. It would
take about two and a half years to complete this movie –
including five months for preparing thye script and six months
for story discussion. Therefore it was decided to take another
movie before Kutra Paramparai. That one is Bommalattam. This has
been made in Tamil and Hindi. Arjun and Nana Patekar are in the
cast. I have introduced two heroines, Kajal and Rukmani. P
Kannan, who has been travelling with me in the movie world
handles the Camera. This is a thriller, a mega movie. The
premier will be screened in Hollywood.
*Why such a delay in the production of
Bommalattam?
It is one and a half years since Bommalattam
was started. I wanted to take this initially in Hindi. However,
when I got the dates of Nana patekar, I thought I should have
the privilege of introducing such a great artist to the Tamil
Film world. Shooting got delayed for a few months due to the
monsoon. Thereafter, since I was devoting my time to the
arrangements of my son Manoj's wedding, there was another
interval in the shooting. Then we had to select the other
artists. We had to choose the locations. This also took time. If
you see the film you will know the reason behind the delay.
 *It
is said that Bommalattam is just a remake of your 'Kallukkul
eeram'.......
I don't like to take my own films in other
languages. I would not like to swallow what I spit out.
Bommlattam is a story of a Film Director.
*In that case, is it your own story?
No. Nana Patekar has done the role of a
Director. Of course, there is a lot of influence of several
Directors in this character. I am also there. Every Director has
several faces – a professional face, a family face and a face in
front of the media. I have portrayed that in this movie.
*It is said that you were hurt or injured
a lot by Nana Patekar?
 I
will not call it an injury. You can call it a scar of a warrior.
For a battle, Nana Patekar is equal to me. A fight is inevitable
when there are two swords in a sheath. He will sharpen me and
me, him Thus both of us became sharper. We had small differences
of opinion in matters of dialogue. In the shooting spot, I would
correct his Tamil. If he repeats the same, naturally I would get
irritated. Nana has even said that bharathiraja had tortured
him. Actor Arjun was the peacemaker between us.
*It is said that only Bharathiraja's heirs
have succeeded in movies and not those of Balachander....
Whose heir is Bharathiraja. In fact, I came
to the Film world only through the influence of Balachander.
Those days, purchasing a ticket in the Black, I have seen and
enjoyed the play Neerkkumizhi, standing in a corner of Raja
Annamalai Manram, as there was no vacant seat. Later, I have
presided over his plays. There could be no Film Director without
the influence of Balachander.
*What are your views on the present
village oriented movies?
 The
villages that I have seen are missing today. The sound of the
cough of the old man, the slender voice of a street vendor from
a corner of total silence.....Later, the girls switched over
from Pavadai-Thavani to Chooridar-Salwar-Khameez. In fact, in
most of the villages, women have taken to nighties. Amir had
said that Paruthiveeran was influenced by Bharathiraja. I had
shown the village only upto a level. Amin had intruded deep into
them.
*When would you enter politics?
Never. In 1967, I was campaigning seriously
for the Communists and the Congress. As I was approaching
Ulundurpettai, I got the news that Kamaraj had been defeated. At
that moment, I dropped politics. I would have participated in
some demonstrations, for some causes. Otherwise I have no
political intentions.
*Why did you take Bommalattam in Hindi?
The reason is, the story of the film. This
story will suit all the world languages. My Sikappurojakkal can
be made into Hollywood and Japanese languages. But, Bommalattam
is an international movie.
C B
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