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Everyone is a ruler-to-be….
What follows is an excerpt from his press meet on the sets of 'Alavandhaan'. Q: This was a story - Dhaayam - that you wrote in Idhayam Pesugiradhu about
17 years ago. What was the reason for the delay in shooting the story? Q: To what extent has the story undergone changes? Those who have read the serial in the magazine would be surprised to see the
movie. There were many aspects in the story which were new to the readers 20
years ago. The movie will convey several ideas that are new to the present day
film fans. I pen the story and dialogue. This is directed by a seasoned
Director, Suresh Krishna who has been mentored by Balachander in thirty and more
movies. We have a good producer in S. Thanu. I have full faith that my story
will be a success with the assistance of the technicians I have and with the
co-operation of the producer, Thanu. Q: Are you introducing new technicians in this movie? Q: What is the significance of the name 'Alavandhaan'? It is the name of a character in the movie. "You will be a king one
day," parents tell their children. Alavandhaan (Ruler-to-be) is such a
name. As far as I am concerned everyone is a ruler-to-be. Only one in 40 million
sperms reach the egg and impregnate it. The triumph of living beings begins
then. Whether the child becomes a king or a beggar is in the parentage and in
the attitude of society. Q: Was the suggestion to film the story, Dhaayam, from you or from Suresh
Krishna? Q: It seems you are tonsuring your head for this movie. When I did the old man in 'Indian', I could perform many a trick with my
fingers. This is an action-oriented movie. You have to show something more
different. People have seen the ad and have started questioning the other person
who is engaged in a test of strength with Kamal. Here begins my success. Q: Have you planned to shoot in foreign countries too? We have to shoot several sequences in the foggy streets of Delhi and in the
snow-capped mountains. We have not yet decided about shooting the movie in other
countries. I can say one thing for sure, as for now. We won't be shooting in the
deserts.
It
is not Ajithkumar or Vijay who are featuring in most of the films in the making.
Kamal outnumbers any of the present day heroes. ' Thenali' is followed by S.
Thanu's 'Alavandhaan'. 'Anniyan'. Another film by Thenappan. And, Kamal's
passion - 'Marudhanayagam'. 'Thenali' is nearing completion. Dubbing is almost
over. ' Alavandhaan' has started rolling into the camera. Kamal plays the role
of a mentally deranged person in 'Thenali'. He plays a coward in the film. 'Alavandhaan'
casts Kamal in a dual role. A handsome hero and another one almost an anti-role.
The ads carry photographs of Kamal clamping hands against Kamal, focussing on
his rippling biceps and triceps. "Where are those hands Kamal?" we ask
him. "Hidden under my shirt," he laughs.
I
wanted this story to be filmed by my Guru, Balachander. But, the story was ahead
of its time then. Therefore, we had postponed its filming. The time is right
now. Suresh Krishna - disciple of Balachander - directs the movie. He has worked
with Balachander from his 'Ek Dhuje Ke Liye' days. Ananth has an indirect role
in the screenplay of this movie. I made 'Apoorva Sagodharargal' for Balachander.
I am making this movie in order to thank my master. I named the other movie 'Avvai
Shanmugi' in memory of my other Guru, Avvai T. K. Shanmugam. It is my way of
thanks giving. 
Shankar
Mahadevan enters the arena as Music Director. He has two popular albums to his
credit. Even as I speak to you today (17.10.2000), another of his album is being
released in Mumbai and is setting new records. Two songs - no… super hit songs
- have been recorded for us so far. Esan and Lai have joined hands with Shankar
and look after the music department. Vairamuthu pens the lyrics after a long
time, for my movie. Mahalakshmi and I have sung a duet in this film. Grand Page,
who was introduced for' Marudhanayagam' is in charge of the fight-scenes in 'Alavandhaan'.
He was the guy who designed the fight-scenes in the movie, 'Mission Impossible'.
Thiru, who was responsible for the camera in 'Hey Ram', is doing this movie too.
This is shot both in Hindi and Tamil simultaneously. We are going to do the
voice recording on the sets. Editing is by Ramesh Maidhoor and Art is by Sameer.
Manisha Koirala, Raveena Tandon, Sarath Babu, Fathima act with me. Cinema,
today, demands your blood to be sweated out in large quantities. We know that 'Alavandhaan'
will demand more of it. And we are prepared for it.
It
was decided that a movie has to be made for Thanu, after 'Thenali'. We then gave
the assignment to direct the movie to Suresh Krishna. He was excited when I told
him the outline of the story Dhaayam in the sets of Thenali. He then read the
story and said that we can give an excellent movie.