Malayalam movie directors make beeline to Chennai

Chennai, Nov 19 (IANS) Successful Malayalam movie directors Lal Jose, Vinayan, Renjith and Shaji Kailas, among others, are making a beeline for Chennai to cash in on Tamil audiences' fascination for meaningful cinema.

Jose is focusing on water scarcity, one of the major problems in Tamil Nadu, in his forthcoming venture 'Mazhai Varappogirathu' (Rains are Coming) with newcomers playing the leads.

'Water is an issue in this state - like the rest of India. And so are fan clubs. I'm providing a link between these two in a simple, but thought provoking film to be shot in Theni - a district in Tamil Nadu known for both,' Jose told IANS.

'While big budgets are available only for superstars in Malayalam film industry, Tamil cinema has opened the gates for fresh talent with new ideas.

'What is more, audiences here appreciate offbeat stuff in a big way even if the movies concerned are made on shoestring budgets - like 'Chennai 600028' and 'Paruthiveeran' and 'Katrathu Tamil' to encourage talent. Though the first two were released last year, the third that hit the screens early this calendar encouraged the new wave,' Jose added.

The director's blockbuster Malayalam hits 'Classmates' (2006) and 'Arabikatha' (2007) - both dealing with totally different themes - made producers and distributors take notice of him, a press statement added.

Vinayan, a director whose works' of offbeat, yet commercially viable mainstream cinema attracted takers from Hollywood, is currently directing 'Naalai Namathey' featuring new faces in lead roles, sources close to the director said.

Vinayan's latest work 'Albuthadweep' is about to be remade in Hollywood by Ron Howard, a publicist added.

Fresh from his latest Malayalam directorial venture 'Thirakatha' (screenplay), in which he played a small cameo, and rave reviews for his performance in 'Gulmohur', director Renjith told IANS that he is all set to launch a Tamil film featuring Prithiviraj and Karthika in the lead.

'I can only say that this movie will change the trend in Tamil cinema like my Malayalam series starting with 'Devasuran' did since 1993,' Renjith said.

Meanwhile, director Shaji Kailas has almost finished the Tamil remake of Malayalam murder mystery 'Chintamani Kola Case' entitled 'Ellammey Avan Seyal' and it is scheduled to hit the screens at the end of this month.

Not to be left behind, another Malayalam megaphone wielder Siddique with four Tamil hits under his belt, including the latest moderate success 'Sadhu Miranda', has been signed to direct Tamil star Vijay's next film.