July 2008 Vol 1 Issue 3

message from The COO

Hello,

Wow! June certainly

has been a cracker.
Dasavathaaram
exploded onto the
screens at cinemas all
around the country,
making headlines and breaking
records; it certainly has been a busy
month for us. We were lucky enough
to speak to Kamal Haasan during the
release of Dasavathaaram and we
thank him for taking time out to be our
cover story for this edition. Apart from
our cover story there is plenty more in
this month’s “S”. There are articles with
Ravi Varman and Nalini Sriram giving
their perspectives on their contributions
to the industry and we thank them
both for this. We have received a very
positive response to “S” so far and
thank you all for taking the time to pick
it up and read through it.

Regards

Tan Ngaronga

4
COO

Cover Story Content Manager: Chitra Mahesh

KAMAL HAASAN Design: PealiDezine
Printed by: Canara Printers
Colossus of a Different kind Cover Photographer: Jatin Kampani

First Cut 8
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Innovations 2 Magic Hat 16 Cinemascope 18 Impressions 20 Email: cc@sathyamcinemas.com
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Innovations

Demystifying the spectaculars of the big screen

I
mpressed with the spectacular, almost- coordinate with the head in LA.
impossible-to-do scenes in today’s “Visual effects could be of any kind, adding a
Hollywood and Bollywood films? Here is a scene, enhancing explosions or adding smoke–
take on what happens behind the scenes. actually just about anything.” says Krishnakant.
From the spaceships in Star Wars to the colour For instance, with Hancock, the team worked on
saturated futuristic cities in Speed-Racer; from the Joe Gareri, GM,
enhancing every scene that the director wanted
dinosaurs in Jurassic Park to the battle scenes in Imageworks, India them to. ‘’Sometimes it could just be removing
The Chronicles of Narnia 2: Prince Caspian, visual spots on the face or small cosmetic changes. Our
effects make the imaginary world look real. job is to ensure that damages, scratches and dirt
Visual effects help enhance the look of a are removed and to make whole thing appear
movie or create an entirely new scene and or seamless’’ adds Krishnakant.
situation. While these effects are very obvious in Joe–“Usually we get the concept-brief from
science fiction and action films, it is interesting the director and we give our inputs after that.
Krishnakant Mishra,
how they are also used in other normal movies Creative Supervisor, We will then give an idea of what will work
too. Don’t be surprised to know that almost every Imageworks, India and what will not. And then there are films
Hollywood movie produced today contains visual
effects of some sort or the other.
According to Wikipedia, Visual effects
(commonly shortened to Visual F/X or VFX)
refer to the various processes by which visual
imagery is created and/or manipulated outside
the context of a traditional shoot. Visual effects
often involve the integration of the shot footage
and computer generated imagery in order to
create environments or scenarios, which look
realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or
simply impossible to capture on film. They have
become increasingly common in big-budget
films, and have also recently become accessible
to the amateur filmmaker with the introduction of
affordable animation and compositing software.
A special effects team usually consists of artists,
technicians, producers and managers who work
together to create the required scenes.
While most of these effects were coming out of
workstations in the United States, it is now being
done in Chennai with Hollywood experts coming
here and doing their work. Big players like Image
Works/Sony Pictures have put Chennai on the
A scene from the movie I am Legend
world map for visual effects creation. Many of
the eye-popping special effects in The Golden
Compass including all the animal-demons that that have been completely shot against a blue
scurry in and out of scenes were done by a team screen (Sky Captain, Speed Racer) where we
of nearly 150 artists working at the Mumbai recreate everything apart from the characters. It
studios of animation and Special Effects (or “FX”) is extremely exciting to work in this field. It keeps
specialists, Rhythm & Hues. Deciding on us energized and challenged”
Joe Gareri, GM, Imageworks, India and the shots Clearly a new genre of the outsourcing
Krishnakant Mishra, Creative Supervisor are which need industry is growing faster than we can imagine.
here in India taking care of visual effects for special With a large latent talent pool and mushrooming
blockbusters like Hancock and Spiderman. animation schools in Chennai, we just might
“Deciding on the shots which need special effects
effects is the become a hub for all such visual effects creation.
is the integral part of the whole process” says Joe. integral part So the next time you watch a mind-blowing scene
He has been in Chennai since February this year of the whole on screen, the digital effects of that scene could
to communicate better with the facilitator and process be coming from behind the screen, literally. ■

Sathyam July 2008 3

 cover story
Kamal Haasan
Colossus of a Different Kind
Supreme success sits lightly on his shoulders.
D
ressed casually in khaki trousers and
a beige shirt, Kamal Haasan is an
extremely pleased man. The magnum
opus, Dasavathaaram, has broken
records at the box office and shows are still going
houseful; not just in the A centres, but in the B, C
and well, E too! This is perhaps one of those rare
occasions, when a Tamil film has people leaving
theatres vowing to see it again and again. The
diehards love it; the cerebral ones choose to see
things in it that satisfies their thought processes;
and the rest go to see what the fuss is all about!
Bottom line? Everyone has and is seeing the film
that has made actor/director Kamal Haasan even
more of a superstar than he already is.
It is always easy to talk about a film in
retrospect–especially when things do not go well.
But here everything has gone more than just
well–and the man is pleased as Punch! “This
is the biggest hit of my entire career,” he
says as he talks to S one morning, a
week after the film’s release.
He faces the questions with a
serenity that comes from utter
confidence about himself and
his craft. There may have been
flaws or even shortcomings, but then once
an idea takes shape and materializes into
something people love, then the job is done.
What brought about Dasavathaaram?
It was a sort of a vague; not a very scientific
analysis of the strengths and weaknesses
of other projects and an assessment of
the existing competition, that got things
4 Sathyam July 2008
started. There was also a lot of thought about
why some films do well and how even very good
ones, simply go down the drain.
Which means there’s something more to it?
If at all Yes. There are many factors that make up a film.
Just making Dasavathaaram alone would not
anyone can
have been sufficient; a release pattern like this
take credit, it combined with the product is what is making it
is the person work so well. This has been considered a very
who says it is maverick move, an over the top kind of thing and
good. I was talking about it to like–minded people. We
all then came together to work on an idea that is
very simple really. We just said lets do something
like Navarathiri and went about doing it without
any pretenses. Our direction was clear–a claim for
the market–of Tamil, Telugu and Hindi audiences.
So it is something designed and intended for all.
There has been a specific focus on the
positioning of the film. Hasn’t there?
Yes. Like when companies decide their logos,
they take into account their target areas. For
instance, ICICI would have a different logo in
Saudi Arabia and so would LIC. Likewise, we
looked at all three languages. This is also why we
have a Naidu, who becomes Pranab, a Bengali
in the Hindi version, the Avtar Singh is an Avtar
who is understood by all in India and then Bush
is an international figure.
Tell us more about the concept in the film.
Well, the ten characters itself is a global village
situation. It has nothing to do with any religious
or spiritual connotation. In any case I am anti–
Kamal Haasan in
Vasool Raja MBBS
Clockwise: Kamal Haasan in Kalathur Kannamma;
Michael Madana Kama Rajan; Anbe Sivam;
Aalavandhaan; Hey Ram; Sathya; Salangai Oli;
Aboorva Sagodharargal; Dasavathaaram; Unnal
Mudiyum Thambi
 cover story
““AAsynergy
synergybetween
betweenpeople is so
people is to
essential so make
essential to work.
things
make things work.
” ”
“One can think of things but the
actual translation
of that is very, very difficult.
incarnation, but I am not anti people. If somebody
believes in Christianity, Hinduism, Shaivism or
Islam, it does not matter to me. I respect each
one’s sentiments and mode of worship. To me the
ascent of man in itself is a mind-boggling thing.
And Darwin’s theory is something I believe to an
extent. In fact, if somebody asks me what gothram
I am, I always joke and say Darwin gothram. What
I do try is to keep fit. For ultimately it is the survival
of the fittest. That is what comes into play.
Is that what it seeks to show?
The very idea of Dasavathaaram is the evolution
for survival. There are no other lofty ideals. I also
have precedence, not only in Tamil Nadu, but
also in the West with people like Stanley Kubrick
thinking along these lines. And another peer I
respect very much is Paul Anderson, who made
Magnolia. The way he goes about attacking
religion and Christianity is intriguing. It is a very
tangential attack and deep down you do know
what makes a person angry. For that matter
I can sense the effects of communism in One
Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. It is there in such
a low lying but subtle way–you can understand;
considering Milos Forman is from one of those
countries that has suffered oppression–from
fascism to communism. You can understand why
he would rebel against any order that suppresses
that sense of freedom.
So would you say that we can read between
the lines?
Oh yes. Enough is written between the lines and
deliberately a smaller print is available to be
6 Sathyam July 2008
”
looked at. In any case people are commenting
and there is a paper and explanations doing the
rounds on the net–some have taken up arms
against it and are for it. Fortunately for me, the
majority goes with me. And those who do not,
don’t really trouble me. Some have wanted to
tear it up. But even that is a point of view.
Are you completely satisfied with the way the
film has shaped up?
No one No way. No, indeed. I won’t say it is the greatest
person film ever made by me. With our limitations, our
can claim budgets–it is certainly not completely satisfactory.
responsibility But in all this the best thing are the returns.
for a film.
You spoke about the release process. How has
It is a that made such a difference?
democratic Never before has a Tamil film been released on this
process and scale. We have very successfully countered the piracy
a great deal market. Only the very lazy, like couch potatoes will
of teamwork watch it on DVD. Anyone who can go out for an idli,
a paan or cigarettes can’t miss seeing the film in a
theatre. It is available–like bananas. You can say we
went bananas with the film.
What do you think is the strength of the film?
I think it is the audience. The way they have
supported me, it is simply unbelievable. I was
worried about the English-speaking crowd–they
were cool. But then, ultimately this film has not
been made for them. It has been made for
everybody. I thought it would go only up to the C
centers. But I see that it has gone to the E centre as
Kamal Haasan
in Sagalakala well. I am seeing people from all over going and
Vallavan watching the film. Especially women, who say it is
like watching an old MGR film. I don’t know what
I did right, but I hope I can do it again.
What is your next project all about?
As you know, I’m not just looking at something; I’m
already in it. We are now working on Marmayogi
and this is at an even grander scale. Of course, it
is not the same model–this one has its own unique
selling point. This is a 6th century spectacle with
horses, people and the works. We have Hemaji in
it and are trying to convince Amitabhji too. There
is a child and we are looking at international
technicians for special effects, make up and the
rest of it. We have also brought three state of the
art cameras that will be used for the film.
Your take on the process of filmmaking and
success.
Sometimes I am very happy that I am in the
forefront of fortune. I know there are some not so
fortunate, but I strongly believe that cinema is a
truly democratic process. There isn’t another way. I
also know that some are paid less and some more.
And when it comes to me, I am like T Rex, in terms
of collecting the meat. It seems unfair yes, but that
is the system. And I am not going to look at a gift
horse in the mouth. Any film you take, whether it is
a Dasavathaaram, Marmayogi, Maruthanayakam;
it is a collective effort. It is not like Van Gogh sitting
and painting sunflowers; very individualistic. And
it is not like Victor Hugo writing Les Miserables
either. In such things few are involved in the
creative process. But in films, things can go so very
drastically wrong with any one scene. The music
director could go wrong; so could the dialogues.
Clockwise: National awards
Kamal Haasan Kalathur Kannamma (1960), Best Child Artist
in Virumaandi; Moondram Pirai (1982), Best Actor
Moondrampirai; Nayagan (1987), Best Actor
Chachi 420; Indian (1996), Best Actor
Indian; Japanil
Kalyanaraman;
Punnagai Why even Asin could have gone wrong, had she
Mannan; not performed the way she did. Even a Bhaskar,
Kurudhipunal; who plays the translator, could have gone wrong.
Devar Magan
A synergy between so many people is so essential
to make things work.
Things that you remember and the efforts taken.
I had to work so closely with the stuntman in the
Christian Fletcher scenes–I think they match any of
the Hollywood films. The car chase looks–fast and
furious (he laughs). You actually feel the energy, the
sense of danger and speed. The way the process
has been designed; it takes more than just one
person to get it right. One can think of things, but
the actual translation of that is very, very difficult.
The challenge is also to do them all without hurting
anyone, including me. And to the credit of the stunt
director, I emerged without a scratch. Yes, I may
Kamal Haasan have been knocked around a bit here and there–a
in Guna (above); bit like playing a rough game of football. But apart
Nayagan (below)
from that, there were no stitches no hospitalization–
it was smooth sailing. The reason I’m saying all this
is that there is so much risky stuff going on. And the
lesson we learn about films is that, no one person
can claim responsibility for it. It is a democratic
process and a great deal of teamwork. If at all
anyone can take credit, it is the person who says
it is good. But even he is not alone for just a few
cannot make that difference. Film ultimately is the
most democratic art form I have ever seen. ■
Sathyam July 2008 7
 First Cut

Kuselan
Starcast: Rajnikanth, Nayanthara, Pasupathy, Meena,
Santhanam, Livingston, Vadivelu and Prabhu;
Director: P. Vasu
Drama. A remake of the Malayalam hit Katha Paryumbol,
Kuselan is the story of a barber Balan (Pasupathy) who lives
with his wife, Sreedevi (Meena) and three children in a village.
With a new generation saloon opening next to his shop, Balan
is in huge debt struggling to make ends meet. His life then
takes a turn when a film crew arrives in his village.
The hero of the film is the reigning superstar Ashok Raj
(Rajnikanth) who happens to be Balan’s childhood friend and
this news spreads like wild fire in the village. All of a sudden,
Balan becomes the cynosure of all eyes in the village and he
has the entire village approaching him. All of them want just
one thing from him-an introduction to Ashok Raj.
With a strong script by Srinivasan, Kuselan tells an
endearing tale of friendship and love.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Starcast: Brendan Fraser, Maria Bello, Jet Li, John Hannah,
Michelle Yeoh and Luke Ford; Director: Rob Cohen
Adventure. Brendan Fraser returns as explorer Rick O’Connell
to combat the resurrected Han Emperor (Jet Li) in an epic that
races from the catacombs of ancient China high into the frigid
Himalayas. Rick is joined in this all-new adventure by son Alex
(newcomer Luke Ford), wife Evelyn (Maria Bello) and her brother,
Jonathan (John Hannah). And this time, the O’Connells must stop
a mummy awoken from a 2,000-year-old curse who threatens to
plunge the world into his merciless, unending service.

8 Sathyam July 2008

 The Dark Knight
Starcast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan
Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron
Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Eric Roberts;
Director: Christopher Nolan

Adventure. The follow-up to the action hit Batman Begins;

The Dark Knight reunites director Christopher Nolan and
star Christian Bale, who reprises the role of Batman/Bruce
Wayne. In the new film, Batman raises the stakes in his
war on crime. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and
District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle
the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city
streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they
soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by
Kismat Konnection 18th July ‘08 a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens
Starcast: Shahid Kapur, Vidya Balan, Haidar Ali and of Gotham, as The Joker.
Vishal Malhotra; Director: Aziz Mirza

Romance. Priya (Vidya Balan) is an idealist, intent on

making the world a better, more humane place to live
in and is willing to fight a lone battle for it. In college,
Raj Malhotra (Shahid Kapur) was numero uno. But four
years after winning the Best-Student-of-the-Year trophy
from his architectural college, he’s wondering why a
brilliant architect like him, with designs to set the Canadian
landscape on fire, is still struggling to find that One Big
Chance to showcase his mettle.
It’s almost as though some negative kismat is constantly
following him, because whenever something good is about
to happen, it seems doomed to fail. Desperate to fight this
kismat Raj meets a quirky oracle, Hasina Bano Jaan (Juhi
Chawla) who directs him towards his luck charm.
Suddenly his life gets on the right track and he manages
to impress top builder Sanjeev Gill (Om Puri), into giving
him a prestigious project.
Does this mean that Raj has unwittingly discovered his
lucky charm? Has lady luck finally decided to smile on him?
Where will this new found kismat lead Raj? To the height of
love or pinnacle of success? Only Kismat Konnection will tell.

Box Office Toppers: Hindi (April 2008)

1 2 3

Sarkar Raj Mere Baap Pehle Aap Jannat

Starcast: Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Starcast: Akshaye Khanna, Om Puri, Manoj Joshi, Starcast: Emran Hashmi, Sonal Chauhan,
Tanisha Mukerji, Govind Namdeo and Amitabh Rajpal Yadav, Archana Puran Singh, Sameer, Paresh Sameer Kochhar, Vishal Malhotra and Javed
Bachchan. Rawal and Genelia D’Souza. Shaikh.
Director: Ram Gopal Varma Director: Priyadarshan Director: Kunal Deshmukh

Sathyam July 2008 9

 First Cut
Love Story 2050 4th July ‘08
Starcast: Harman Baweja, Priyanka Chopra,
Boman Irani and Archana Puran Singh;
Director: Harry Baweja

Romance Sci-Fi. Love Story 2050 is about Karan (Harman

Baweja) a young, spirited, sporty boy who lives life off the
rules and Sana (Priyanka Chopra), a petite, shy girl who
lives life by the rules.
Karan’s uncle, Dr. Yatinder Khanna (Boman Irani), a
whacky scientist has been working on a Time Machine
for years, which one day finally, works! Sana expresses
her wish to travel time, to Mumbai in the year 2050 and
what they see in the future is a spectacular city with flying
cars, 200 storey buildings, robots and sky rails that have
changed the very face of Mumbai and the world!
Karan is now on a quest to find his lady love with the
help of QT, a friendly femme robot and BOO, an adorable
robotic teddy bear. But soon they find themselves under the
threat of the demi God of the future, Dr. Hoshi.
Hancock
Starcast: Will Smith, Jason Bateman, Charlize
Theron, Daeg Faerch, Lauren Hill and Darrell Foster;
Director: Peter Berg

Adventure. There are heroes. There are superheroes. And

then there’s Hancock (Will Smith). With great power comes
great responsibility–everyone knows that, but Hancock. Edgy,
conflicted, sarcastic, and misunderstood, Hancock’s well–
intentioned heroics might get the job done and save countless
lives, but always seem to leave jaw-dropping damage in their
wake. As grateful as they are to have their local hero, the
good citizens of Los Angeles are wondering what they ever did
to deserve this guy. Hancock isn’t the kind of man who cares
what other people think–until the day that he saves the life of
PR executive Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), and the sardonic
superhero begins to realize that he may have a vulnerable
side after all. Facing that will be Hancock’s greatest challenge
yet–and a task that may prove impossible as Ray’s wife, Mary
(Charlize Theron), insists that he’s a lost cause.

The X Files: I Want to Believe

Starcast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson and
Amanda Peet; Director: Chris Carter

Sci Fi. The supernatural thriller is a stand-alone story in

the tradition of some of the show’s most acclaimed and
beloved episodes, and takes the always-complicated
relationship between Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and
Dana Scully (Anderson) in unexpected directions. Mulder
continues his unshakable quest for the truth, and Scully,
the passionate, ferociously intelligent physician, remains
inextricably tied to Mulder’s pursuits.

10 Sathyam July 2008

 Kung Fu Panda
Starcast: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina
Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Ian McShane, David
Cross, Seth Rogen and Michael Clarke Duncan;
Director: John Stevenson, Mark Osborne

Animation. Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po is the

biggest fan of Kung Fu around and which doesn’t exactly
come in handy while working every day in his family’s
noodle shop. Unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient
prophecy, Po’s dreams become reality when he joins the
world of Kung Fu and studies alongside his idols, the
legendary Furious Five–Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and
Monkey under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu.
But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow
leopard Tai Lung is headed their way, and it’s up to Po to
defend everyone from the oncoming threat. Can he turn
his dreams of becoming a Kung Fu master into reality? Po
puts his heart–and his girth–into the task, and the unlikely
Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na 4th July ‘08 hero ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses turn out
Starcast: Imran Khan, Genelia D’Souza, Karan to be his greatest strengths.
Makhija, Alishka Varde, Pratiek Babbar, Ratna
Pathak and Manjari Fadnis;
Director: Abbas Tyrewala

Romance. Meet Jai Singh Rathore–‘Rats’ (Imran Khan), the

most non-violent Rajput either side of the Aravallis. And
meet, if you dare, the violent and passionate Aditi Mahant
–‘Meow’ (Genelia D’Souza). Do what you have to, but
do NOT pick a fight with her. She screams, abuses and
scratches. And if you do get into a scrap, take cover till Jai
arrives, as only he can calm our snarling wildcat.
Jai and Aditi are perfect for each other (in an odd,
distorted way that is quite impossible to understand).
Friends know this. Parents know this. Everybody around
knows this. But do Rats and Meow know? Can two people
ever, truly, know the secrets of their hearts?
And there, you have it! Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. Don’t miss
the coolest, warmest, hippest, funniest musical-romantic-
comedy of the decade.

Box Office Toppers: English (May 2008)

1 2 3 4

Indiana Jones
Starcast: Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett,
Karen Allen, Ray Winstone, JohnHurt,
Jim Broadbent and Shia LaBeouf.
Director: Steven Spielberg
The Forbidden Kingdom
Starcast: Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Michael
Angarano, Collin Chou, Crystal Liu Yi
Fei and Li Bing Bing.
Director: Rob Minkoff
The Chronicles of Narnia:
Prince Caspian
Starcast: Georgie Henley, Skandar
Keynes, William Moseley, Anna
Popplewell, Liam Neeson and Ben Barnes.
Director: Andrew Adamson
The Happening
Starcast: Mark Wahlberg, Zooey
Deschanel, John Leguizamo,
Spencer Breslin, Ashlyn Sanchez and
Betty Buckley.
Director: M Night Shyamalan

Sathyam July 2008 11

red carpet Director Priyadarshan,
his wife Lissy and their kids

Indiana jones
The most awaited film of the year strode into Sathyam Cinemas in style!
The premiere of the Steven Spielberg spectacle, starring Harrison Ford as
Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones, at Sathyam, witnessed a huge turn out on the eve
of its India release. Stars, musicians, veejays and the press arrived right on
time to catch the unforgettable archaeologist in action for the fourth time. Rahasiya smiles pretty
Joining Ford on the big screen this time were newcomer Shia LaBeouf, Cate
Blanchett and Karen Allen.
Guests at the premiere included director Priyadarshan with his wife Lissy,
actors Arya, Vincent, Sona, Shiva and music director Yuvan Shankar Raaja.

Fashion in film-Chaitanya Rao,

Tina and Vincent Ashokan

Dark knights-Paloma & Cary

Aswin Sekar and his sister with Paloma

Dynamic duo-Shiva and Yuvan

Shankar Raaja Arya walks in for the premiere

12 Sathyam July 2008

 Guests at the audio launch of Jeyam Kondaan

Jeyam Kondaan
The audio release of the much awaited Jeyam Kondaan took place at Santham, Sathyam Cinemas early
last month. The first copy of the album was handed over to Kamal Haasan and Sharath Kumar.
The stars of film, Vinay, Bhavna and debutante Lekha Washington were also present at the release.
The movie promises to be a complete entertainer, with the story and screenplay written by R. Kannan.
The music is by Vidyasagar and all the songs are structured with a direction to suit the romantic theme
of the movie.

Kamal Haasan at
the audio launch
of Jeyam Kondaan

The audio cassette of the film

being handed over to Kamal
Haasan and Sharath Kumar

Vinay addresses the media

Sathyam July 2008 13

red carpet

Jai & Swathi with their movie audio CD

Subramaniapuram
Complimenting the theme of the offbeat, retro Subramaniapuram, was its audio release at Sathyam
Cinemas. The event organised by Think Music brought together some of the biggest names in the
industry. The guests who received the first copy of the album included Gautham Menon, Vetrimaran,
Chimbudevan, Ameer, Karu Palaniappan, Rama Narayanan and Sasikumar.
Making his debut as music director with this film is the popular TV anchor James Vasanthan.

Guests & the cheerful Subramaniapuram team

14 Sathyam July 2008

magic hat

Cradles
& Crayons!
A glimpse into the children’s play
lounge at Sathyam Cinemas

16 Sathyam July 2008

C
onceived especially for those with
children, who don’t quite know where
to leave them, when they want to catch
the latest flick in town, this play lounge
is the answer.
Located on the first floor at Sathyam Cinemas,
Magic Hat is the perfect place where children are
cared for in a professionally supervised play area.
The play lounge offers different kinds of
activities for children of all age groups.
Little kids can toy around with play stations
filled with interactive games, books and a mini
theater that shows them their cartoons while the
cozy sleeping nook for babes in arms, allows
them to dream their happy dreams.
Colourful wooden and plastic toys are chosen
with care so that there are no rough edges to take
away from their usage. Books, CDs and other
games are spread out for children to choose
what they want to occupy themselves with.
Little Kavitha says with absolute glee, “I love
being at Magic Hat. There is plenty to play with
and lots of yummy treats like popcorn, cookies,
chips and sandwiches.”
Complete with padded walls and wooden
flooring, the efficient staff of about 12, ensure
that the play area is a place of joy. This makes
parents really confident of leaving their children
with the friendly, professionally trained staff who
can handle any kind of situation or emergency,
should it arise. “To me Magic Hat is all about
having a good time–and I can be assured that my
kids are in good, safe hands!”–says Vinitha, who
drops her kids off at Magic Hat quite frequently.
Apart from the parents who come to watch
movies here, children on their own love playing
here and often drag their parents to a movie just
so they can spend time at Magic Hat.
Says Helen, a trained Special Children
Educator, who looks after Magic Hat, “The staff is
also trained in handling young infants. We work
in two shifts including the night shift when parents
come to watch the night shows and they are fully
capable of handling all sorts of emergencies.
No child is likely to get hurt here with its special
flooring and walls, with all electrical sockets
being out of reach of children regardless of their
age. Besides, our facility maintains the highest
standards of cleanliness.”
Magic Hat does not stop with just caring for
children whose parents come to watch movies. The
“To me
place can be hired for birthday parties and other
Magic Hat occasions for upto three hours where games, gifts
is all about and delectable eats can be organized. Theme
having a parties, story telling sessions and workshops are
good time– also very popular here and the party games are
and I can be organized based on the theme parents choose
for their children.
assured that
Ask the kids and here’s what they have to say,
my kids are “We love to come here not just for a party, but
in good, safe simply to have fun–any time, any day and for
hands!”– any occasion!” For more information on Magic
says Vinitha. Hat contact 6566 6777. ■
Sathyam July 2008 17
 CINEMASCOPE
Surya & Tamanna in Ayan
Couture Cult
Fashion designer Nalini Sriram shares
her trysts with couture culture in the
Tamil film industry
A
nyone who is familiar with the film
industry will know that one of the
most striking aspects of a film are its
costumes and clothes worn by the stars!
Clothes and the way they look get accentuated
especially in the song and dance extravaganzas
of Indian films; and apart from making stars
look different, glamorous and riveting; this is one
department that is constantly gaining ground.
Today, costume designers are creating waves–
and the best designers are being roped in to
create new looks in films that seek to address a
large population.
A chance favour for someone who asked for
help in films put Nalini Sriram on the path of
costuming and designing for films. Today she
has covered the span of stars from Suriya, Vijay
(Pokkiri), Trisha, Manisha Koirala (Baba) and a
host of others; her work has been talked about–set
18 Sathyam July 2008
Trisha in Kuruvi
trends, and also led to the emphasis of having a
good designer to create the right look in a film.
Even Hollywood, that hardly laid any emphasis
on costumes at one time, woke up to the
unprecedented credential of a costume designer.
Cecil B. DeMille (Cleopatra, Sunset Boulevard, The
Golden Bed, The Volga Boatman, The Greatest
Show on Earth and The Ten Commandments)
was one of the first to realize that audiences
want extreme couture and would pay to see
Emphasis is their fantasies. He helped film costumes to gain
on the visual greater artistic stature and it was then a foregone
appeal and conclusion that costume designing would become
a major component of the film industry.
everything
Talk to Nalini and you get a picture of how hectic
matters and challenging this aspect of filmmaking can
be. She is working on big projects including Villu,
Silambattam, Vaaranam Aayiram and Ayan, each
with very interesting possibilities for costumes.
Silambarasan in Silambattam Vijay in Villu
“The scripts and the situations are very
challenging. The process of working for each film
has to be necessarily different, it depends on how
each director and the cameraman ideates with me.
We might want to break the mould with the main
character, turn somebody around in the way they
look or take that step to completely deglamorize
some key character. It all depends on the story, and
of course all this is subject to the assumption that
people do notice that the heroine is not wearing
bright red for a crying scene. All we try to do is
show through the clothes the nature of the situation
cinematically. Costumes make that visual impact.”
Nalini has seen, in the course of her career, how
the field has matured and come such a long way
from where it was. “People want to look different–
travel that distance to have that makeover.”
When it comes to the style component, the
industry is making headway no doubt, “We might
still be behind Bollywood, but nonetheless now
have a new generation of heroes and heroines
who are looking at such things. Emphasis is on
the visual appeal, and everything matters–you
see every little pore or twitch magnified on
screen and if one is wearing the wrong kind of
clothes, it shows, is talked about and criticized.”
The challenge lies in making each project fresh,
meaningful and distinct.
Nalini feels that these are the things that keep
all of them on their toes “We are constantly
Vijay in Kuruvi
looking at what we can do and how we can
improve on what we have. Besides, audiences
are primarily getting younger; we have to look at
Cecil B.
that aspect too.”
DeMille was What the audience watches, then, becomes the
one of the first yardstick for the code of dressing. “What we use for
to realize that stars is not inexpensive–a man who plays Pokkiri,
audiences does not wear cheap stuff–we get a good brand,
want extreme we beat it and then get the look of something
scruffy. When a movie becomes a hit, fans find
couture and
less expensive ways of duplicating it. For instance,
would pay in Pokkiri, Vijay wore double shirts and so a lot of
to see their his fans started the trend in real life too. Like the
fantasies Chandramukhi saris; people go to stores and ask
for things like rings, bracelets, belts and accessories
worn by popular stars. Take the pavadai davani,
from Kandukondien Kandukondien or now in Yaara
Di Nee Mohini; or Trisha’s ensemble of a software
professional in Selvaraghavan’s next film.”
“I personally prefer to work with natural fabrics–
cottons, linen, chiffons, and georgette. My instinct
is to stay with the classic and not the kitsch.
Ultimately of course, it is the vision of the director
and my job is to see that it materializes.”
And this is the attitude that makes filmmakers
want to work with her–she is committed, hard
working and has good synergy with the filmmaker
and the cameraman. Not one to talk about her
A still from the achievements, she signs off and makes her way
movie The Greatest
Show on Earth back to the sets–and the show goes on. ■
Sathyam July 2008 19
 Impressions
Living the Dream
Ravi Varman tells us why turning points in life are the stuff dreams are made of.
T
hat certainly seems to be the case with Ravi
Varman, who continues to work even after
the grueling schedule of Dasavathaaram
is complete and ready for applause and
appreciation. All it took was one incident many
years ago, when a young lad from a village
near Thanjavur wanted to preserve his mother’s
memory through an out of focus photograph.
When that seemed near impossible, he took to a
path and hasn’t looked back since. Ravi Varman,
cinematographer, now director and soon to
turn actor, is the man behind some of the most
wondrous images in films such as Vettaiyadu
Vilayadu, Anniyan and Dasavathaaram, (which
he says has been a tremendous but difficult
learning experience) among others, placing
him at a level that even he does not seem to be
conscious of. He is working on his first venture,
Moscowin Kaveri, but is right now traveling the
path near Pollachi in preparation for a shoot for
Prabhu Deva’s directorial venture. There really
is no rest in between projects and “even I don’t
want that. I must be working and that’s when I’m
the happiest,” he says.
A quick recount of how you came to this field.
I’m basically from family of farmers; my village,
A still from Anniyan
20 Sathyam July 2008
Poyyoundarkudikkadu is near Thanjavur. After my
mother died, I wanted something in her memory.
I tried in vain; using a group photograph with
her, taken by a small time photographer with
an auto flash camera. But I simply couldn’t get
a clearer image. That’s when the passion for
photography began. My first still camera was a
Zenith. From then till now, I have found that only
hard work combined with intelligence brings
victory in this field.
How has the journey been?
I’ve only learnt more and more. I don’t really
have many preconceived notions about anything;
I take each day, each step as it comes along. I’ve
worked with some of the best actors and directors
and each one of them has contributed greatly
to this learning process. But I have to say that
I don’t Kamal Sir has been an inspiration for all times. I
have many sometimes fear his talent and intelligence.
preconceived
Which would you say have been landmark
notions about
films in your life so far?
anything; I I can only talk about the ones I have done, and I
take each day, really can’t say which has been more important.
each step as it Right from Rajiv Kumar’s film Santham that I
comes along. did many years ago where I learnt so much
A still from Dasavathaaram
 “ The only
thing is hard
work. There is
nothing else.
”
 Impressions
Kamal Haasan in Vettaiyadu Vilayadu
about lighting and the use of natural light, to
Dasavathaaram–which has been like going
to college for close to two years–each one has
taught me something more.
Shooting Dasavathaaram must have been
difficult…
Difficult, yes. But also very fulfilling. Don’t forget,
one is working with a person who thinks ten steps
ahead. It has been extremely laborious and one
never quite knew how each shot would turn out even
after elaborate preparations. But this is probably
one of those few occasions when I feel things have
turned out the way I wanted it to and I don’t feel that
any part could have been done differently.
When has it been the most challenging–when
22 Sathyam July 2008
Ravi Varman’s Moscowin Kaveri
you have had to follow the laid down principles
of cinematography or when you have worked
instinctively?
The thing is, even with intense preparation
shoots don’t always go the way you thought it
out. In that sense, I think instincts work better. For
instance in Vettaiyadu Vilayadu, Gautam Menon
gave me complete freedom and liberty to work
things out the way I thought would work best. It
was not easy by any means, but I remember one
particular scene when Kamal has to unearth a
body for investigation. The process had to show
different times of the day. The sequence was based
pretty much on instincts–tough to do, but it was
done seamlessly. But in the process of working it
out, I am also conscious that I do not break the
vision the actor or the director may have for the
entire look and feel of the film.
What would you say is the mantra for your
success? Any pointers for aspiring camera
The thing is persons?
The only thing is hard work. There is nothing else.
even with
You go about your work regardless of the world.
intense Don’t look at what others are doing. Do not talk
preparation, about others and what they could be doing. We
shoots don’t are all here for a short time. And we must make
always go the best use of this life and be useful!
the way you
And this is the attitude that defines Ravi
thought it
Varman, the artist, whose life is not determined
out. In that by the number of films he does, has on hand, or
sense, I think will do in the future! All he wants is for his work
instincts to speak volumes–for him, for the industry and for
work better. the cause of excellent cinema! ■
 trivia
W hen it comes to Bond,
James Bond, Casino
Royale is the first one to have
a direct sequel Quantum of
Solace to be released later
this year. It is also the first
official Bond film to start
without the famous gun
barrel introduction. It comes
much later.
The emphasis on Bond’s
legendary drink, ‘vodka
martini, shaken, not stirred’
features in Casino Royale.
And what really goes into
this drink? Three measures
of Gordon’s, one of vodka,
a half a measure of Kina
Lillet, shaken over ice with a
thin slice of lemon! l
N o less an artist than Victoria Beckham was offered a cameo in Sex and the City. But she turned it down thanks
to the clashing schedules of the Spice Girls tour rehearsals.
Sex and the City was released ten years after the series was first aired and four years after it ended. H. Stern, the
renowned Brazilian company, loaned more than 300 pieces of jewellery for the shoot of the film. l
A s there is much talk
about the film, Hancock,
it turns out that what is Sony
W hen Ben Hur got made
completely, MGM was
afraid small-time local Italian
Pictures gain, was Warner producers would use the sets
Bros’s loss. They passed up as backgrounds for their own
on a chance to make the low-budget epics–they then
film and Sony stepped in. simply destroyed all sets to
The rest is history. l
I t took 44 days to shoot
The Happening. It began
on August 6, 2007, exactly
ensure that they would never
be used again.
Other than being an epic
nine years since the start film, in Ben Hur the chariot
of The Sixth Sense. And the race alone had a 263-to-1
film happens to be M Night cutting ratio (263 feet of film
Shyamalan’s first one, to for every one foot kept). This
have an A rating. l is probably the highest for
any 65mm sequence ever
filmed.
Ben Hur happens to
be one of only two MGM
films, where the trademark
Leo the Lion does not roar
at opening credits. For
religious reasons is why it
did not. The other is The
Next Voice You Hear (1950),
F or Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 100,000
people lined the streets of Wellington, New Zealand, for
the world premiere. That’s roughly a quarter of the city’s
which also has a religious
theme. l
population. And then the amount of money that New Line
reclaimed in tax breaks, was ten times more than the entire
annual budget of the New Zealand Film Commission,
which funds local film-making. One more thing. The final
reel of the film was completed only five days before the
world premiere. It was only then that Peter Jackson saw the
completed version of the film for the first time.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy went on to become the
most nominated film series in Academy Award® history
with 30 nominations surpassing both the Godfather
trilogy (28 nominations) and the Star Wars franchise (21
nominations). l
crossword 1 2
Did U know?
At Sathyam Cinemas

3 4

5 6

8 9

10

11 12

13
Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay starring
Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan,
Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar,
14 Jaya Bhaduri and Amjad Khan as
the timeless villain, Gabbar Singh
was the longest running film (15
15 months).
Across

1. Bike TN-04 H-1386 is a key character in this movie

3. First Tamil film with an English title
7. Mani Ratnam’s only Malyalam film
8. Venkat Prabhu’s screen name
10. Yogeswaram Veerasingam, better known as?
11. Krishna, Munna, Bob Galy, Kumar and Juju better
known as?
12. We know Gopi Shantha or Pallathur Paapa better as?
13. First Tamil film on a Shakespeare play
14. A single man avenging the destruction of his village
15. He discovered A.R. Rahman

Down

2. Vijay, Vikram, Dharani & Surya are alumni of?

4. NIT Trichy alumus, now a director
5. Penned Michael Madan Kamarajan
6. Aadu Puli Aattam’s hero was?
9. OST of veedu, recorded before the movie was shot

Shankar’s Sivaji starring K. S. Ravikumar’s Dasavathaaram

Rajinikanth, Shriya starring Kamal Haasan, Asin
Saran, Suman, Vivek Thottumkal, Mallika Sherawat,
and Raghuvaran was the Jayaprada and Napolean had
highest grossing film of the biggest box office collections
all time. in the opening week.

Sathyam July 2008 25

 first person

Leaves Out of My Book

Films and Actors are

Synonymous by Suhasini Mani Ratnam

A
lot of us might not remember the story
or the name of an interesting film 15
years ago–but we are unlikely to forget
the actors. A Hindi film about two sons
fighting and claiming the love and affection
of their mother is always remembered as an
Amitabh Bachchan, a Shashi Kapoor or a Nirupa
Roy film and not always as Deewar!
All James Bond films are recalled as a
Sean Connery or a Roger Moore film. And this
happens despite the actor putting in only one fifth
of the work. Who remembers the director or the
producer of Ben Hur? The only name that rings a
bell is Charleston Heston or may be the Chariot!
What makes actors so special? I have always
asked this question and I have heard several
explanations–but nothing really justifies the larger
than life image of film actors.
I started my life as a film technician. I have
always thought actors were props or puppets in
the director’s hand. But gradually and bitterly
I might add; I realised that they pretty much
determine the success of a film. A Kamal Haasan, And he Despite what is said about looks not being
a Rajinikanth or an Amitabh Bachchan might not (Alfred important, it is! When it comes to the camera,
actually write a particular scene–but they are the Hitchcock) the way you look matters a great deal. The actor
face of the scene! In truth the soul of the scene is does not have to be the most handsome man or
gave a
created by the writer and steered by the director. Miss Universe–but there has to be a certain extra
statement ‘something’–that makes the person unique.
What does it take to be an actor? the next day Take any successful actor or actress and you
If you want to be an actor, do not watch Shahrukh saying “I will notice that spark about them!
Khan or Ajit on screen and try to imitate them. apologise for Great directors and actors have always made
Instead, buy a full sized mirror–walk in front of having said great films together, not to mention some truly
it–talk, laugh, cry and dance for about 10 days. At memorable fights. I remember how the Actors
the end of 10 days, look at yourself in the mirror.
that Actors Guild reacted badly to the press statement
Do you still like what you see? If the mirror image should be made by Alfred Hitchcock when he said “Actors
is unappealing and hopeless, drop all acting treated like should be treated like cattle.” The furious actors
ambitions and go back to college or to office but cattle. I was demanded an apology. And he gave a statement
if the image in the mirror is still interesting and wrong and the next day saying “I apologise for having said
exciting, enrol in acting, dancing or diction classes. I would like that actors should be treated like cattle. I was
An aspiring actor needs to constantly talk to wrong and I would like to correct my statement.
himself/herself to get over inhibitions. If you can
to correct my Actors ARE Cattle!”
listen to yourself, you have the potential to take statement. But then for the audience, the ACTOR is KING.
directions from the film maker. Actors ARE And that is the truth!
And then of course grooming is important. Cattle!” So till next time, Cheers. ■

26 Sathyam July 2008