Kirumi is a ‘realistic drama with elements of a psychological thriller’. The plot sounds familiar – a lower-middle class boy finds a job in the city. And finds himself some bad company. But with a story penned by Kaaka Muttai’s Manikandan, it’s no surprise that Kirumi is already making a mark globally. It has become the first Tamil film to have an international premiere at the Toronto-based Reel Asian Festival. Directed by debutant Anucharan, starring Karthi and Reshmi Menon, the trailer promises a range of emotions – from slapstick street cricket, to night-time daredevilry with the police.
The young team of Unakenna Venum Sollu, led by its 23-year old director, Srinath Ramalingam had to fend off questions about the film being a copy of the comedy-horror Kanchana at the film’s press meet recently. Even the music sounded similar. According to the director, it might be a horror film, but the audience is in for a round of feel-goodness, not jitters. The cast includes Deepak Paramesh, Jacqueline Prakash, Gunalan Mohan, and Morna Anitha Reddy. There’s also Mime Gopi as an exorcist. We are also in for some hypnotherapy sessions, and a dose of ‘family, commitment and promise’ lessons. After all, the film is supposedly based on the real life experiences of an 8-year old girl’s longing for love and family.
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One of the stars is 12-year old Master Ajay, a stage actor from a government home. The film revolves around one unexpected incident and how it affects people from diverse lifestyles. Director Bramma shot most of the scenes on live locations on highways. With debutant artists who feel they didn’t just act in the film – they lived. Riding on a wave of awards from a number of film-festivals, Kuttram Kadithal, was in the running for an Oscar nomination, along with national award winning Kaakka Muttai and box-office success Baahubali. But all three were edged out yesterday by Chaitanya Tamhane’s Court, a film about an ageing folk singer. Kuttram Kadithal also won a national award for the Best Tamil Film earlier this year, and expectations will be sky-high when the film finally releases to mass audiences.
