Sasikumar brings winds of change

Sasikumar made headlines with his directorial debut Subramaniapuram, which he produced in 2008.
The film was a hard- hitting realistic look at a group of unemployed friends in the Madurai of 80s, who become mercenaries for an unscrupulous politician. It was a path-breaking film, and created a new niche audience for films made on a budget. Sasi followed it up this summer by producing Pasanga, another small film, directed by newcomer Pandiraj with children playing the lead roles.This film too was accepted by an audience thirsting for change.
Last week, Sasikumar���������������������������s new film Nadodigal, in which he plays the lead, took a fantastic opening similar to that of a superstar film. According to sources in the trade, Nadodigal, which has been directed by television serial director Samudrakani, will do better than Subramaniapuram!
Today, Sasikumar is as big a brand as any superstar in Tamil cinema! Ask him if he has been the catalyst for change in Kollywood and the writer, director, actor, producer, distributor and exhibitor (his family owns a theatre in his home town of Madurai) says, ���������������������������Tamil cinema is a melting pot and our audiences are always looking for change. I���������������������������ve just been experimenting with the content, cast, presentation, publicity and marketing to evolve new ideas.���������������������������
Sasikumar feels that his films were able to strike an instant chord with the viewers because their stories were drawn from real life. Says Sasikumar, ���������������������������I go through the script of all the films I���������������������������m associated with as a producer, director or actor. In the case of Nadodigal, I had discussions with Samudrakani who was able to mould the character which gelled with the audiences. At the end of the day, it is teamwork and inputs from everybody connected with the film like the director, actors, cameraman and even music director that shape a hit film.���������������������������
Take all the three films he has been associated with in the last one year ��������������������������� Subramaniapuram, Pasanga and Nadodigal ��������������������������� and you���������������������������ll find a common thread running through them. The language in his films is raw and nerve touching, exploring the realms of anguish and despair that have largely been left untouched by popular cinema.
Adds Sasi, ���������������������������The characters in my films are ordinary people that you will meet in your daily lives. In Nadodigal, Samudrakani was telling me that the audience were clapping for the three father characters in the film. Each of these characters was life-like and had a different approach towards their sons. I also feel that casting new actors in a film enriches it.���������������������������
Another cardinal rule of a Sasikumar production is to work on a budget, and stick to it. Says Sasikumar, ���������������������������The cost of making small films has gone through the roof, from location fees to daily bata for the unit, cost of moving around and accommodation. Today, if you can make a film on a budget of Rs 3-4 crore, it���������������������������s great as publicity and prints will cost you another Rs 1-2 crore. Marketing a small film is as important as its content, if it has to be successful at the box office.��������������������������� He makes it clear that he has no plans to turn into a full-fledged hero, and is, in fact, going back to direction. Sasikumar concludes, ���������������������������I���������������������������m going to direct my next film, which will have newcomers. I���������������������������ll also be changing genre and for the first time, my story will be set in Chennai. It will be an altogether new concept and experience for the viewers.���������������������������