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In an era where life has become more and more serious and fast paced, there are very few people who try to make others laugh whole-heartedly and also succeed in it. "CRAZY" MOHAN’s success story of making the seven crore Tamil population laugh through his plays continues.Following is an excerpt from an interview which he accepted inspite of a busy schedule.

Q: There was an article in a weekly magazine, which has quoted you as saying that you are preparing yourself for a serious drama? Is it true? If so, why this sudden drift from comedy to serious play?

A: Regarding that article, it was meant as an "April fool" joke to its readers. When the editor of the weekly magazine called up and asked me whether he could publish some information about our play, I suggested this. That was only to fool and nothing more. It was for fun.

But regarding serious drama, I have nothing against it. Infact, writing humor filled drama itself is a very serious thing. I would answer the question "Why I don’t write serious plays?" in the following manner.

1. I think asking me why I don’t write serious drama is like asking a dentist why he does not perform a cardiac operation.

2. There are only a few people even in the western world who attempted humor. For e.g., Art Buchwald or P G Wodehouse. Any writing is a man’s attempt to reach perfection. I am also trying to do the same.

3. Diversifying is all right for soap makers. But in the art field, one has to follow the line one has achieved even if it is a small amount of success. Asking an artist why he hasn’t changed his art line is like asking MICHAEL ANGELO why he is not doing engineering works. I would also like to quote H. H. Shankaracharya Maha Swamigal here. He says, "Those who make others happy are nearer to God"

 Q: Can you tell us when your love for drama started?

A: In 1973, I was doing my B.E. at Guindy Engineering College. I was then reading serious writing like the works of Jayakanthan, Indira Parathasarathy, etc. But now when I look back at my life, I think I was destined to write humor. When I was doing my 4^th year B.E., there was an inter- college cultural programme. Four of us from our class got together to write a script for the programme. It was accepted that amongst the four of us, whoever wrote the best script, his script would be staged on a funny note. I had never attempted a script or any other play until then but the other three had tried it before. But surprisingly, my group thought that my script was the funniest. The others had written historical plays, mine was a total comedy by the name "The Great Bank Robbery". I was in for a happy surprise when it won the first prize and I won the first prize for writing it. The ball started rolling from then and my brother Balaji who is now doing the main roles, as Madhu in our plays, was then a student of Vivekananda College. I used to write the script for him as well. He formed a troupe in 1975. Our name appeared in a small article in Kumudam. It was our first media exposure. I started writing plays for other troupes eventually.

Q: How many plays have you written until now? How many times overall have you staged them?

A: So far I have written 21 plays, out of which 13 were for crazy creations

Q: Which of your plays do you like the most?

A: I love and enjoy all my plays. I especially loved " Ayyo, Amma, Ammamma", which was staged by Mr. Kathadi Ramamurthy, "Marriages are made in Saloon" , " Madhu +2" which were staged by us.

Q: When did you start writing screenplays for films?

A: It was in 1979. I was working for Sundaram Clayton then. Mr. K Balachander who was producing a film called "MAZHALAI PATTALANGAL" wanted me to do screenplay for that movie. But then I had to attend to drama as well as office work. I couldn’t manage to think of one. But when he approached me for making my play "Marriages are made in Saloon", I couldn’t say no. I worked for the movie that was named "Poi Kal Kutherai". Then offers from films came pouring in. But I could not accept them due to my official work. I came out of Clayton and joined Vikatan as sub-editor in 1986-87. This was the period when Kamalahassan and I met during the filming of Satya. He asked me whether I would be willing to work for a new movie that was with a different theme. I readily accepted. This was the starting point when I worked for his movies like "Apporva Sahodarargal", "Micheal Madana Kama Rajan", etc. Thanks to him, I became a full-fledged cinema professional.

Q: Your combination with Kamalahassan has been very successful. Is there any special reason?

A: Kamal is a perfectionist: all the 24 hours of the day he thinks of how to make perfect movies. I am a sort of person who believes in writing even a small scene to its length and breadth. So, in a way, I am also aiming for perfection. The quest for perfection makes us click.

Q: What was the Rajnikanth experience like? You worked for Arunachalam, didn’t you?

A For five months during the shooting of Arunachalam, I had a golden opportunity of being with Rajni all the time. Basically, as we all know, Rajni has a quest for spirituality. I am also a very spiritual person. Our wavelength matched. The most important quality which not only I but everybody likes about him is his humility. Inspite of being at the top of the Tamil film industry, he is very humble. For instance, when Rajni enters the shooting spot, he wishes everybody good morning with love and affection. This includes the light boys, floor boys, etc. He talks to everybody with the same level of respect and love. He is really a great human being.

Q: What are your new projects in both cinema and drama?

A: In movies, it is " Poovellam kettu paar" directed by Vasanth. This movie is nearing completion. Other movie projects are on the pipeline. In drama, I am staging a new play "Jurassic Baby". It will be staged in May.

Q: Among many troupes, yours is one of the few which has survived the test of time. How did this working as a team develop?

A: I basically belong to a joint family system. So, I know the value of teamwork. My other inspiration has been Viveka Fine Arts run by Mr. Cho. Ramaswamy. They had worked together for three decades in unity. I basically think of my troupe as one big family. I think the meaning of the word teamwork is that of a team which works without any ego.

Q: What are your favourite books and movies?

A: My all time favourite is "Kadhalika Nerum illai" by Mr. Sridhar. I loved many of his movies.Among cinema artistes I like the acting of Nagesh and Manorama. Regarding western artistes, Robin Williams is my all time favourite.I love all the books of Devan. He is like a guru to me. Kalki’s historical works have greatly influenced me spiritually. I like the works of Shree Aurobindo and Ramana Maharishi.

Q: There are various channels that are available in television today. Has that in any way affected your stage plays?

A: Basically, people select what they want. For example a Circus, P.C. Sorcar’s magic show, a new multi-starrer film are available on T.V. We think that some good programmes may affect the other. But, in reality, a set of audience who come to my programme are always there. Another aspect is people set apart time for each one of these programmes and attend what they like.

Q: Who was your single most source of inspiration to write screen plays?

A: My Grandfather. He was running a drama troupe called "Vani Vilasa Sabha" in Kumbakonam. He was the main actor in their stage plays. When I decided to quit my job my grandfather supported me. He has always been my beacon light.

Q: Your troupe has travelled to many parts of the world. Which country is going to stage your plays this year?

A: We have so far travelled to Jakarta, Singapore, Malaysia, Kuwait, etc. This year we are planning to visit U.S.A. I am enthusiastic about meeting our fellow Tamils in U.S. A.

Q: Thank you, Mr. Mohan, for spending your valuable time with us.

A: Thank you and I wish all fellow Tamilians a Happy Tamil New Year. Tamizh Putthandu Vazhthukkal.

R. Prabhuram

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