|
He has a leg to dance on
 His real name is Arani Kothandaramaiah. But very few would recognise him by that name. To the film industry, he's just KR. An exhibitor, distributor, producer and director, he has 25 years of experience in the industry. He has served as chairperson of the national awards selection committee, and president of the SIFCC for 2000-2001.
He has produced 15 feature films in various languages, directed 12 films, including one in Malayalam, financed 42 feature films and distributed more than 200 films. 'My dear Kuttichathan', a 3-D film, created a record at the box-office. KR has begun work on his new film, titled 'Dancer', its hero being Kutty who has only one leg. KR speaks of the film and its hero.
How the idea for 'Dancer' germinated:
"I happened to meet Kutty at a dance function that I presided. He was dancing on stage with just one leg and his enthusiasm and will power impressed me. I immediately decided to cast him as the hero of my next film."
About his hero:
 Some say that it was due to an accident, some say that it happened during some skirmish in school. However, no treatment was done at the time and Kutty lost his leg. Then he started practising dance at home.
His brother Solomon has worked as assistant dance master with Prabhu Deva and others. Kutty got the chance to perform on stage at various functions, at school and college functions and even at an election meeting. When I met him two years ago, he was 18 and dancing at a temple function. Now he's 20 and hero of my film.
On how he got him trained:
 We trained him for one year in horse riding, different styles of fights, riding a motor bike, and different styles of dancing too. Kutty moves freely with one leg. He has no artificial attachment to his leg but he dances as fast as Prabhu Deva and with perfect balance.
On the production of the film:
My son Yogesh will be producing the film and I will be the scriptwriter and director. I liked Praveen Mani's recording and sound quality, and so I signed him up as the music director. My cinematographer is Robert of the Robert-Rajasekhar duo. For editing, we have Satish-Harsha, while Shanmugham Angamuthu will design the sets. The film is a commercial entertainer and the fights will be handled by Super
Subbarayan.
On the story-line:
 Kanika is a student at a dance school run by Robert. He insults her and the girl is depressed and dejected. It's then that she sees this guy with just one leg dancing on the streets. She takes him under her wings, trains him, and makes him dance on the same stage where she had to suffer insult. My film is not an off-beat one, but a commercial venture. I have not touched on love here, and though there's a heroine, there's no romance.
Wasn't 'Mayuri' a similar subject?:
'Dancer' might bring back memories of 'Mayuri' where Sudha Chandran, who lost her legs, played the lead role in the semi-autobiographical film. But she had artificial limbs attached. But here, Kutty has no artificial attachments, and dances and fights like any other hero. But, of course, like 'Mayuri', my film also conveys the message that physical handicap should not be considered an impediment to success. That determination and will power wins in the end.
On the hurdles he faced:
Naturally, there were people who tried to discourage me from getting into this risky venture. Initially, I was a bit apprehensive. But then I've always believed in taking risks. Even when I bought the dubbing rights for a 3-D Telugu film years ago, they said I was finished. But I got it released in the recent past and made money.
'Dancer' is a new attempt and I am sure that the audience will accept it. I am planning to release it in April. The shooting will start this month. Meanwhile, I heard that directors Lingusamy and Dharani also have approached Kutty to sign him for their films.
Compiled by Malini Mannath
Published on 7th Nov, 2003
|
