|
| Excerpts from an interview with director Jayabharati |
 'Kudisai', the Delhi Ganesh-Kamala Kamesh starrer, was his first foray into direction. That was in 1979. Since then director Jayabharati has directed just five films, his latest being 'Nanba Nanba' the Charlie Chandrasekhar starrer. Jayabharati talks about his work, and the problems he encountered. Excerpts from the chat
Q: Tell us something about your background.
JB: I began my career as a writer of short stories, and I've penned about 75 of them. I've written two novels too. My inspiration came from my parents,
Thu. Ramamurthy and Saroja Ramamurthy, who were famous writers. I worked as a journalist with 'Dinamani' for some time, where I was their film critic.
Q: What brought you to direction?
JB: I got the chance to see a lot of films from all over the world. I even screened films of masters like Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen in Chennai, at the Krishnaveni Theatre as a morning show. I read lots of books on cinema and saw all types of films, the good and the bad ones. And the next step was direction. And, though I've never attended a single shooting, or worked under any director, I was confident when I first wielded the megaphone for 'Kudisai' in 1979. The film was nominated for the National award. It was also the first film of cinematographers Robert-Rajasekhar. I'm a self-made man, and I'm proud of it!
Q: Tell us about your other films?
JB: After 'Kudisai' I directed 'Oomai Janangal' where Bhagyaraj played the lead. Set in the pre-Independence era, it was a period film centering round bonded labour in a tea estate. That was in 1982. After a three-year gap, I directed a psychological thriller 'Rendum Rendum Anju' in 1985, on the lines of Hitchcock's film 'Vertigo'. I had roped in Ambika, Sharat Babu, Nasser, Murthy and Senthil, and managed to wrap up the shooting in fifty days. There was a five-year gap before my next film 'Uchi Veyil'. This 1990 film was selected for the Indian Panorama, screened at the Toronto Festival, and appreciated by critics like David Overby. My fifth film 'Nanba Nanba' comes after a long gap of ten years.
Q: Why the long gap?
 JB: It was finance mainly. I had sent an appeal to about seventy-five people, writers, friends and well wishers, requesting for a sum of Rs.5000 each. Luckily - I say luckily because no other person responded - one of my letters went to Raja Vaidyanathan (earlier of Media Dreams), who called me over. He listened to my script and decided to fund the entire project. Prasad Lab too came to my aid, promised me free service, and assured to provide me all their equipment free of charge. I'm indebted to these people. I have shot it in 16 mm and blown it up to 35 mm. I wrapped up the shooting in eleven days. All the technicians and artistes have worked free for the film. I'm indebted to each of them.
 Q: What's 'Nanba Nanba' about?
JB: It's about compassion, friendship, selfless service, communal harmony and hope. The story was written by my elder brother Ravindran Ramamurthy. He's no more, and I've dedicated the film to his memory. I've introduced Chitty Prakash as the music director. My artistes Charlie, Chandrasekhar, Bharati Mani, Bala Singh, Rindhiya, Ramdas, and Baby Shweta were very co-operative.
Q: Why don't you have big stars in your films?
JB: I've been branded as an off-beat director. So no big stars are willing to act in my films. Again there's the problem of their fees. But I did approach a few stars. I'd approached Vijaykant for 'Rendum Rendum Anju', but I did not get a positive response from him. Six years back, I even approached Rajinikant when I began 'Nanba Nanba'. But Rajini replied, “Once I get bored of all this, I'll come to you. I myself will send a car to fetch you then. I'll definitely love to act in your films.” So, it's not that I haven't tried!
 Q: You're labelled as an uncompromising and rigid film maker.
JB: Why should I compromise? I've built up an image and there's no reason for me to change my stand. As it is, no producer wants to invest in an off-beat film. Further, they feel, that I'm not flexible. I find no reason why I should be! I hold the electronic media too responsible for corrupting the audience!
Q: But doesn't it bother you that your audience is limited?
JB: No, it doesn't! I'm satisfied with my limited audience. I'm happy, if even a few people understand my films!
Malini Mannath
published on 25th Dec 2002
|
|
