http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/apr/30slide1.htm
The making of Periyar Gnana Rajasekharan's new film Periyar based on the life of EV Ramaswamy Naicker is releasing on May 1 -- a fitting day for a man who fought for social justice. It was the DMK government of Tamil Nadu, led by M Karunanidhi, which decided on the date of release. Gnana Rajasekharan, an IAS officer working currently as director of the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, won the Indira Gandhi National award for Best First Film for Moha Mullu. His second film Oru Kan Oru Parvai is based on a real life incident about a Dalit girl being beaten up and blinded because she drank water meant for the higher castes, was shown at the Indian Panorama in 1998. In 2000, he made Bharati, a film on the fiery nationalist poet Subramaniya Bharati, which starred Hindi actor Sayaji Shinde as the poet. Satyaraj is the protagonist in Periyar, Jyothirmayi plays his first wife while Khushboo plays the revolutionary's second wife, Maniyamma. When did you get the idea to make a film on Periyar? I used to attend many functions after I made Bharati and all places I went to I was always asked to make a film on Periyar. So, my decision to make the film has got a lot to do with the people of Tamil Nadu. If you recall, I had mentioned that the idea to make a film on Bharati came from a youngster from Palghat. Did the request come as a surprise to you? Yes. The kind of response the film is getting has also surprised me. The attention it has received is beyond my expectations. How long did you research for the film? The question that came to my mind first was whether a subject like Periyar could be made into a film. I took leave for a year in 2001 and started reading on Periyar. My knowledge of him was like any other normal Tamilian. I revered him but had only superficial knowledge of him. When did you get the idea to make a film on Periyar? I used to attend many functions after I made Bharati and all places I went to I was always asked to make a film on Periyar. So, my decision to make the film has got a lot to do with the people of Tamil Nadu. If you recall, I had mentioned that the idea to make a film on Bharati came from a youngster from Palghat. Did the request come as a surprise to you? Yes. The kind of response the film is getting has also surprised me. The attention it has received is beyond my expectations. How long did you research for the film? The question that came to my mind first was whether a subject like Periyar could be made into a film. I took leave for a year in 2001 and started reading on Periyar. My knowledge of him was like any other normal Tamilian. I revered him but had only superficial knowledge of him. The making of Periyar In what way did you want to portray him on screen? There was a big gap between what Periyar was and how he is known and remembered. That gap is a very interesting one for a filmmaker. I was able to do something on Bharati also because of such a gap. Periyar is known as anti-God, anti-Brahmin, etc but Periyar according to me was not that. How long did it take you to write the script? I worked on the script for almost four years. I was posted in Kerala then. Was it easy to get a producer, as the film was on a controversial and legendary figure? No, in fact, 13 people came forward to produce the film but ran away when I asked them whether they could withstand the pressure! I knew it was not going to be an ordinary film; the producers had to withstand all kinds of controversies because Periyar's life itself was full of controversies. When did the DMK government come forward to produce the film? The DMK government came in much later. As you know Periyar's party Dravida Kazhagam is still there. So, what I did first was, got the script cleared by DK leader Veeramani. He then told me to go ahead with the script. Earlier, I had cleared the script with Bharati's granddaughter also when I was making a film on Bharati. Then, we got a couple of producers and it was after we started shooting the film that that Karunanidhi's order came about producing the film. Did it put pressure on you? I would say it was the other way round. It was a kind of recognition. Unlike the other leaders, Periyar has a special place and is accepted by all people in Tamil Nadu. Even the BJP recognises the greatness of Periyar. So, when the government says we are giving assistance to the project you are doing, it is a recognition. Will the government's involvement affect the neutrality of the script? All those who know me and have seen my earlier films will not doubt that. I had written the script much earlier and the shooting had already started. If I had done the script after the government made the decision to produce the film, then you can question my neutrality. Another thing is, if the neutrality of the film was in any doubt, there would not have been this kind of excitement about it. How difficult was it for you to choose an actor to play Periyar? It was very difficult. I do not know how many actors would come forward to do this role. The main difficulty was many people who live now have seen and known Periyar, so I have to select a person who looked like Periyar. I also felt the face should be acceptable to the people of Tamil Nadu. Satyaraj, an ardent follower of Periyar had expressed his desire to do the role at various forums. After taking pictures of him in the Periyar attire, I felt he looked very much like Periyar. I took Khushboo also because she resembled Maniamma. What was the biggest challenge you had to face while making the film? In my case, 60-70 per cent of my problems get over when I complete the script. It is a lonely battle for me when I write the script. The only person I discuss my script is my wife. Though it took years for me to write the script, I finished the film in 65 days. We shot at various places in Tamil Nadu, Russia, Malaysia, etc. Who is your target audience? I am making this film for an audience that does not know Periyar. How was Satyaraj as an actor? His physical resemblance to Periyar is amazing. He has given an extraordinary performance. He did a lot of homework before coming to act and the way he identified with the character was simply amazing. His acting was much beyond my expectation. Was it because he was a follower of Periyar? That is one aspect. I give him 80 per cent marks for performance. He has tremendous potential and that came out in this film. He portrayed the role in a very sophisticated and subtle way, the way actors performed in a Satyajit Ray film. He improvised and brought out more than what I had written in the script. He was a revelation for all those who watched him. Unfortunately, he was typecast in commercial films. After Periyar, whom are you going to make a film on? I hope someone will tell me at some function! Jokes apart, my next film will not be a biography. As a director, I have to say different things. I am not saying I will not make any biographies. Biographies are tough work but very interesting. Bharati and Periyar were not just films to me; I grew with these characters. This will not happen when you make ordinary films. Making a film on Bharati was like living with him for three to four years, and I lived for five years with Periyar. At the end of all these efforts, one feels enriched. Why not a simple love story? Yes, I am planning to make a love story. I have already written the script. It is a very female-oriented film and I need a very good young actress. I am planning to make the film with some young stars. I will start shooting very soon.
