Face 2 Face: Recent Episodes
Film Companion
Baradwaj Rangan is a National Award-winning film critic. He has authored Conversations with Mani Ratnam and Dispatches From the Wall Corner. His long-form story on Vikram was featured in The Caravan Book of Profiles, as one of their “twelve definitive profiles.” He has written screenplays and works for theatre.
Here you can find all of his interviews and conversations with leading actors and filmmakers of the South Indian Film Industry. In short, everything you need to enhance your cinematic experience.
Director #HalithaShameem in this interview with #BaradwajRangan talks about her films #PoovarasamPeepee, #Aelay, #SilluKarupatti, #Loners and Her learnings From Pushkar–Gayathri & Mysskin and lot more interesting about her upcoming directorial #Minmini.
Producer #SunithaTati in this interview with #BaradwajRangan talks about making the film #OhBaby, remaking films from other languages and working with #GVM among many other things.
In this interview, actor #DhruvVikram talks about his debut film #AdityaVarma, working with his father and his latest release #Mahaan.
DarbukaSiva in this conversation with Baradwaj Rangan talks about his directorial debut #MudhalNeeMudivumNee
Actor #ShaneNigam in this conversation with Baradwaj Rangan talks about his upcoming release #Bhoothakaalam, #Veyil and his journey as an actor.
In this interview, actor #Revathi talks to #BaradwajRangan about being a director and her latest release #Bhoothakaalam.
Ahead of #Hridayam, director #VineethSreenivasan talks about shooting the film in the midst of the pandemic, working with musician #HeshamAbdulWahab and growing up seeing his father #Sreenivasan making films.
Oscar-winning composer #ARRahman and acclaimed director #ShekharKapur talk to #BaradwajRangan about "why?", the musical that will soon debut at #Expo2020 in Dubai. They also talk about creativity and how it feeds off various forms of art.
The makers of the anthology #PuthamPudhuKaalaiVidiyaadha, #HalithaShameem, #BalajiMohan, #RichardAnthony, #SuryaKrishna, #Madhumita & #Aparna talk to #BaradwajRangan about their latest release on #AmazonPrime video. #NadiaMoidu, #JojuGeorge, #Rithika, #ManikandanMathavan, #LijoMolJose, #AishwaryaLekshmi, #ArjunDas, #GouriKishan, #TejeenthanArunasalam
MManikandan & #VijaySethupathi in this interview With Baradwaj Rangan talk about their upcoming film #KadaisiVivasayi, their experiences working with each other and their love and admiration towards each other's work.
In this interview, actor #AtharvaaMurali talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his latest release #ThalliPogathey, his dream project and much more.
In this interview with #BaradwajRangan, #RanveerSingh talks about growing up watching #Maniratnam films, his excitement about working with #Shankar and much more.
In this interview with #BaradwajRangan, evergreen superstar #Mohanlal talks about his journey in the movies, why acting is a habitual experience, his latest release #Marakkar #LionoftheArabianSea and much more!
Director #PSVinothraj of Koozhangal, India's entry to the Oscar's talks to Baradwaj Rangan about the journey of #Pebbles and more!
GVPrakashKumar in this interview with Baradwaj Rangan talks about his upcoming films #Bachelor, #Jail, his most challenging scenes, his favourite films and more!
RMadhavan in this interview With Baradwaj Rangan talks about the various films he did, on how it impacted his career, his criteria for choosing scripts, about his experience being a director, producer and more! Over the past ten years, IFP has carved a special place in the hearts of all these young creators attending the festival as they get to interact with maestros of their field and ask interesting questions and seek guidance to become better creators and make good art. IFP has also become special to maestros, and creators, from the industry as its the only place where they get to interact with not only fans but fellow creators, next-gen creators who are interested in their craft, their process, their opinions on all things concerning craft and creativity, and more.
AnilRavipudi in this interview with Baradwaj Rangan talks about his love for commercial films, his writing process and his experiences working on #Pataas, #Supreme, #F2FunandFrustration, and #Sarileru.
RaviVarman in this interview with Baradwaj Rangan talks about his 10 favourite scenes from a career spanning over 20 years! From #Jalamarmaram to #PonniyinSelvan. #Shantham #Anniyan #VettaiyaaduVilaiyaadu #Barfi #Tamasha #KaatruVeliyidai #Sanju #Ramleela #JaggaJasoos
ARRahman in this interview with Baradwaj Rangan talks about being the Indian Ambassador for BAFTA Breakthrough, about discovering new singers and more! #PonniyinSelvan #BAFTA
AkhilAkkineni in this interview with Baradwaj Rangan talks about his upcoming film #MostEligibleBachelor, his acting process, the lessons he learnt from his father, about lockdown and the impact it had on his life and career. #PoojaHegde #Bhaskar
In his very first interview post the release of #RudraThandavam, director #MohanG talks about his films, his point of view, admiration for #AnuragKashyap and more #Draupathi
KrishJagarlamudi in this interview with Baradwaj Rangan talks about his upcoming film #KondaPolam, his journey from #Gamyam, his experience working with #PawanKalyan in #HariHaraVeeraMallu and much more!
PanjaVaisshnavTej in this interview with Baradwaj Rangan talks about his upcoming film #KondaPolam, his family and how they encouraged him to pursue acting, about the success of #Uppena and much more!
PrithvirajSukumaran & #MamtaMohandas in this interview with Baradwaj Rangan talk about their upcoming film #Bhramam. They share their thoughts on doing a remake and their process on doing their characters.
SekharKammula in this Interview With Baradwaj Rangan talks about his upcoming film #Love Story starring #NagaChaitanya, #SaiPallavi, also about his journey from #DollarDreams to Love Story and much more!
NagaChaitanya in this Interview with Baradwaj Rangan talks about his upcoming film #LoveStory, about how he changed his approach to doing films after #Majili and about doing Remakes, a Web Series and Many More!
VijayAntony in this Interview with Baradwaj Rangan talks about his upcoming film #KodiyilOruvan, About his thought process behind choosing scripts, About his struggles as a Music Composer and also the reason he chose to do Acting and many more!
ArvindSwami in this interview with Baradwaj Rangan talks about how he prepared for his role in #Thalaivii, and about his experience working with #KanganaRanaut.
VijaySethupathi in this Interview with Baradwaj Rangan talks about his upcoming films #Laabam, #AnnabelleSethupathi, about the people he adores and would love to work with and about his journey from doing short films to being #MakkalSelvan.
KanganaRanaut in this interview with Baradwaj Rangan talks about her upcoming film #Thalaivii, she goes in to detail about her process on how she prepared for the role of #Jayalalithaa.
ArvindSwami in this interview with Baradwaj Rangan shares his experience, working in films like #Kadal, #ThaniOruvan, #ProjectAgni and about why he loves directing more than acting, and talks extensively about the making of #Roudhram and much more!
Shershaah is an upcoming Hindi film directed by #Vishnuvardhan and co-produced by #KaranJohar. Tracing the life journey of Param Vir Chakra awardee and army captain #VikramBatra, it stars #SidharthMalhotra in a double role, as Batra and his identical twin brother Vishal; #KiaraAdvani plays the role of Dimple Cheema.
Director #Milind Rau in this conversation with #BaradwajRangan talks about how he started working on #Netrikann, his experiences with directing #Nayanthara, his love for genre films, why Korean content is so in sync with Indian tastes and about how working with #ManiRatnam shaped the way he make films.
Actor #Prasanna in this conversation with Baradwaj Rangan talks about how he stepped into acting at the age of 19, his love–hate relationship with #mysskin and about how he finds motivation through God.
Super Hero actor #TovinoThomas talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his latest OTT release#Kala, his philosophies as an actor and the reason behind his retro look in his marriage. He speaks about Mayanadhi, Theevandi, Lucifer, Guppy, #MinnalMurali & doing a Tamil film with #Dhanush. #Mayanadhi#Theevandi#Lucifer#Gupppy#Uyare#Maari2#Mohanlal#Mammootty
TMKrishna talks about his journey from being a Carnatic singer on stage to someone who is attempting to engage with the larger world. He puts forth his definition of 'Carnatic music', wonders if #KVMahadevan or #Ilaiyaraaja songs can be called 'Carnatic music', whether art is inherently political, and talks about the boundary-stretching collaborations with writer Perumal Murugan.
Is a new indie movement happening in Tamil cinema? #LeenaManimekalai (Maadathy), #BalajiVembuChelli (Nilanadukam), #JayaprakashRadhakrishnan (The Mosquito Philosophy), #ShyamSunder (Kuthiraivaal), #ManojLeonelJahson (Kuthiraivaal) and #ArunKarthick (NASIR) discuss their work and their space in this round table.
Tamannaah -- star of #NOVEMBERSTORY, #DisneyplusHSVIP -- talks about numerology, being a workaholic, being an occasional poet, and reverse-aging like Benjamin Button. She also speaks about standing up to director #Suraaj's misogynitsic comments, and #KVAnand, who gave her #AYAN.
SriramVenu talks about Power Star #PawanKalyan in #VakeelSaab, the remake of Pink and he followed the Tamil remake closely. He also talks about making a Motorcycle Diaries type film with #AlluArjun.
In this interview recorded in 2017, director #Selvaraghavan talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his upcoming release #NenjamMarapathillai, about him wanting to direct #Dhanush's directional debut Power Pandi after reading its script and about the sequels for #AayirathilOruvan and #Pudhupettai.
SanthoshNarayanan talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his upcoming #Dhanush starrer #JagameThanthiram. He talks about the comfort of working with directors like #KarthikSubbaraj and #MariSelvaraj, why he loves the composing under extreme pressure, and the influence of #Ilaiyaraaja's 'Shenbagame'.
RJBalaji talks about his move to the podcast by #Spotify (their first in Tamil, called '#NaalanaMurukku'), his exclusive interview with Amma, about how the internet is no longer innocent, and why we no longer need celebrities to get content.
RaunaqMangottil, founder of pop-culture store fullyfilmy.in and the owner of his own youtube channel, talks about creating content for new generation, why it is important to focus on the process rather than the result and more. #FullyFilmy#ContentCreation
RajishaVijayan in conversation with Baradwaj Rangan on #Karnan & #KhoKho and how she gets into the character and why having breaks are important, and how she lets us into her very personal process of cinema acting.
RahulRijiNair talks about his transition from indie films like Ottamuri Velicham and Kalla Nottam to the mainstream underdog sports drama, #Khokho. He talks about always following the story and screenplay, and how to get into making films from a job in a more professional background. #RajishaVijayan
Yuvarathnaa star #PuneethRajkumar talks about his father and fandom, emoting in other languages, #Prithvi, and #Yuvarathnaa being about youth and hope.
PrithvirajSukumaran, star of #ColdCase on #AmazonPrime, talks about playing a cop again, the gay role in #MumbaiPolice, his 100 films+ journey, new-gen Malayalam cinema, and watching DoubleBarrel with #LijoJosePellissery. He also speaks about #Aadujeevitham, #Lucifer, #Barroz, #BroDaddy and his heartfelt note to #Sachy. #Mammootty#DulquerSalmaan#FahadhFaasil#Mohanlal#DileeshPothan#ShyamPushkaran
Baradwaj Rangan, in the Face 2 Face episode, sits with Filmmaker Pa #Ranjith to discuss his upcoming film #sarapattaparambarai, his philosophies, his writing process and how this films was the toughest to shoot!
WildDog star #Nagarjuna talks about swearing on screen, training for Wild Dog, handling fans, dealing with the failure of Manmathudu 2, #Brahmastra, and why he always likes movies to be larger than life.
Chathurmukham star and co-producer #ManjuWarrier talks about social media and the difficulty of talking about the process of acting. She also speaks of Sanal Kumar Sasidharan's offbeat A'hr, her first Hindi film with Madhavan, and why #VetriMaaran/#Dhanush 'are "rock stars".
KarthickNaren talks about his state of mind, his love for PS5 games and D43 being a big-screen movie. He also speaks of #NAVARASA, NARAGASOORAN, NAADAGA MEDAI, MAFIA, and the changes he would like in Kollywood. #Dhanush#D43
Karnan producer Kalaipuli Thanu talks about the Pandarathi issue, #Asuran's screenplay, his conviction of #Karnan's success, and highlights of his 35-year journey like #KizhakkuCheemayile, #KaakhaKaakha and #Aalavandhan.
GovindVasantha on the "glass-breaking" experience of #ARRahman, 'Oru dheivam thandha poove', about ARR songs being slow poison, autotune, #Anirudh's hits, and #SanthoshNarayanan being the best musician of the new era.
GovindVasantha speaks about 60s/70s music. From #MSViswanathan's melodies and rhythms to #Johnson to one of his most favourite Malayalam composers, #MSBaburaj, the #Chemmeen songs, and #Ilayaraja's genius.
Actor #Arya talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his upcoming film #Sarpatta, how #PaRanjith extracts performances, how he takes up success and failures. He also talks about why he thinks #Madarasapatinam and #NaanKaduvul are his best performances.
Director #ArunPrabuPurushothaman talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his upcoming film #Vaazhl, and what makes him such a different thinker. He talks about making Aruvi and how others contribute to his film and more.
The New Standard For Critical Listening Audeze Headphones: https://www.audeze.com/#ARRahman talks about #99SONGS, his writing process (as opposed to composing music), his reading habits, his long reign at the top, why he decided to write a movie, and hanging out with some really glamorous people.
AishwaryaLekshmi talks about #JagameThandhiram, working with #KarthikSubbaraj, #ManiRatnam, #AashiqAbu, #AmalNeerad. She talks of her favourite heroine roles in Malayalam, and her entry into Telugu cinema with Godse.
In Part 2 of the 20-years flashback with #GauthamVasudevMenon, the director remembers one or more aspects about 20 of his films -- including the ones that were at just an idea stage, like Trisha's #ChennaiyilOruMazhaikalam, Vijay's #Yohan and Ajith's #Surangani.
Director #GauthamMenon talks about his 20-year journey from #Minnale, his learnings, about the changes in the industry and audience, about younger filmmakers establishing a brand, and why the future is in collaboration.
The New Standard For Critical Listening Audeze Headphones: https://www.audeze.com/ Join us for The Film Companion South Roundtable with #PrakashRaj, #GauthamMenon, #ManjuWarrier, #RakshitShetty, #AishwaryaRajesh and #TharunBhascker.
SUBSCRIBED
Vignarajan the director of #Andhaghaaram talks to Baradwaj Rangan about specific scenes from the film. He talks about the techniques, how a location can enhance the performance of an actor, the reason behind the slowness of the film and also about his favourite scenes.
MookuthiAmman and #SooraraiPottru actor #Urvashi speaks to Baradwaj Rangan about her journey, and why she considers Bhagyaraj and Kamal Haasan her gurus.
Director #SudhaKongara in this conversation with Baradwaj Rangan talks about being a "Female" filmmaker, about the working style of her teachers Mani Ratnam and Bala. She also talks about how she extracts performances from actors, about her favourite star and about writing scripts for #Ajith and #Vijay.
Music Producer and Music Analyst #SubhasreeThanikachalam talks to Baradwaj Rangan about her Youtube series #QFR - Quarantine From Reality, the importance of old music, the importance of the knowledge about the uncredited and old legends who were the starting points for music composers like #MSV, #Ilaiayaraja and #ARRahman.
Actress #Simran talks to Baradwaj Rangan about her upcoming Netflix anthology #PaavaKadhaigal, working with stars like #Vijay, #Ajith, #Vikram #Suriya, Kamal, Rajini and Madhavan. She also talks about the importance of narration and why acting is not easy.
Actress #SaiPallavi talks to Baradwaj Rangan about her latest OTT anthology #PaavaKadhaigal, about her acting process and her journey so far. She also talks about working with #Dhanush, #Suriya, #VetriMaaran, #Selvaraghavan, #AlphonsePutharen, #NivinPauly, #DulquerSalmaan, #VarunTej and #SekharKammula.
Actor #SaiDharamTej in this conversation with Baradwaj Rangan shares his struggles, success and failures in his career. He talks about his upcoming theatrical release #SoloBrathukeSoBetter which was supposed to be released on OTT. He talks about what is stardom to him, about his passion and love for acting.
Directors #Vetrimaaran and #RDM talk to Baradwaj Rangan about their upcoming film #KavalthuraiUngalNanban, the differences between the film and #Visarani. RDM talks about why he wanted to make this movie, the inspirations and real incidents that triggered to write such a story. Vetrimaaran talks about the aspects he looks for backing a film and his views on making such intense movies.
Actor #RMadhavan talks to Baradwaj Rangan about #Maara, why it is different from the original Malayalam film Charlie, and why he likes to be a part of ensemble cast movies like Anbe Sivam. He also talks about his directional debut #Rocketry and about the future of Indian cinema.
LokeshKanagaraj & #RJBalaji on the eve of Deepavai 2020, talk to Baradwaj Rangan about their special Deepavali movie memories, about their upcoming films #Master & #MookuthiAmman and about their take on OTT releases.
Director #LokeshKanagaraj talks about his long pre-titles stretches, writing a #Vijay movie, giving #VijaySethupathi a strong role, his love for English songs, and the time #KamalHaasan gave him a gun.
Directors #KarthikSubbaraj and #CharukeshSekhar talk to Baradwaj Rangan about their upcoming web series #Triples, about their favourite comedy films and about writing for formats like short film, web series and Theatres.
Actor #JayamRavi talks about his 25th film #Bhoomi, why Peranmai is his favourite film, handling the stopping of #PonniyinSelvan shoot and adding 6 kilos during the lockdown. He says work is happening on Thani Oruvan 2, which should start end of year.
Director #DhilipKumar in this conversation with Baradwaj Rangan talks about his upcoming OTT release #Maara, why it is different from the original Malayalam film Charlie, working with actor #Madhavan and more.
Padma Shri awardee #BombayJayashri talks about film music: growing up with Madan Mohan, SD Burman, Khayyam, singing for #Ilayaraja during the PUNNAGAI MANNAN days, #Rahman's 'Narumugaiye', and how she handles her classical and film worlds.
Aravind #SA, one of India's top stand up comedian talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his second stand up special for Amazon Prime Video #iwasnotreadyda his process of writing his show. How he performs his live show. He gives us a sneak peek of how does he do what he does.
Director and actor #AzhagamPerumal and Director#AnandRavichandran talk to Baradwaj Rangan about his debut movie #SethumAayiramPon, which released amid the pandemic on streaming platform. They talk about shooting the movie with a constrained budget, live sound and other important aspects that went behind the making of the film.
Director and actor#RJBalaji (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23RJBalaji) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his upcoming OTT release #MookuthiAmman (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23MookuthiAmman) , why OTT is a great platform for the upcoming talents, his reasons for becoming an IPL commentator and more.
Nayanthara (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Nayanthara)
Karthik Subbaraj, who is directing the next Rajinikanth film, talks about being a “social media generation” director, making short films and learning from them. He talks about his writing process and how he writes complex screenplays like Jigarthanda and Iraivi. He discusses the the layering of characters, the staging of shots. He talks about how the climax of Pizza helped him form the rest of the narrative (when people asked him to make it like Chandramukhi), and about his twists. He talks about the challenges of making a silent film like Mercury, with Prabhu Dheva. (And about Kamal Haasan’s silent film, Pesum Padam/Pushpak.) He talks about social responsibility and being an urban filmmaker. He talks about his Tarantino fandom, and his involvement in making music (with Santhosh Narayanan). He talks about his Dhanush film, where he wants an antagonist of the stature of Al Pacino or Robert De Niro. He speaks of his love for Baba and Lingaa, and abut classic Thalaivar films like Mullum Malarum and Nallavanukku Nallavan. Finally, he answers rapid-fire questions on Rajinikanth.
RJ Balaji, fresh off the success of LKG, explains the original intention behind making such a film adding how the team managed to complete the political satire without deleting a single scene.
Vijay Deverakonda, the star of NOTA, talks about being called the biggest star in south Indian cinema. After Pelli Choopulu, Arjun Reddy and Geetha Govindam, he assesses his position, his female fan base, and the perceived change in his attitude and behaviour. He talks about the dynastic system of the Telugu film industry and the issue of releasing NOTA alongside NTR Jr's Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava. He talks about his schooldays in Puttaparthi, the culture shock of Hyderabad, his theatre training and destiny. He talks about his favourite Tamil films (starring Rajinikanth, Karthi, Surya) and whether he will do 'mass' movies.
Actor/Producer #VijayAntony (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23VijayAntony) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his upcoming film #Kolaigaran (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Kolaigaran) , he also talks about his journey in the film industry, why he started producing films, how he chooses his film scripts, his unique titles, his creative process as an actor/composer & more.
Vetri Maaran talks about Vada Chennai, and how it differs from other gangster movies set in North Madras. It was originally a 5-1/2 hour cut. How did he reduce it to a manageable size? What is the reason for the long gestation periods between his films (Polladhavan, Aadukalam, Visaranai, and Vada Chennai), and what are his learnings from each one of them? He discusses the possibility that he is a changed man after Visaranai, having now acquired the rights to the book, Shoes of the Dead, which is about farmer suicides.
He talks about his improvisatory methods, and why dubbing is such an important part of his films. When a film drags on for as long as Vada Chennai, is there a danger of doubting the material or getting bored with it? Is there the temptation to keep tweaking or changing it? And what about Dhanush? When an actor and director who have a high level of comfort, who are also friends, is there a danger that you know someone too well and therefore might not be able to surprise each other anymore? And two, given that Dhanush is also a very commercial hero, is there the pressure that you should not let him down at the box office?
He talks about projects like Soodhadi, and a film based on a poem by Na Muthukumar. Would he be interested in a female-oriented film? He discusses Vada Chennai's A certificate and what it means in terms of the audience. Finally, he reveals why he isn't as much of a filmmaker -- in his estimation -- as Balu Mahendra and Mani Ratnam.
Actor #TaapseePannu (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23TaapseePannu) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about her upcoming film #GameOver (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23GameOver) and what made her choose to accept the film, she talks about director #Vetrimaaran (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Vetrimaaran) and how he used her naivety in aadukalam to his advantage. She also talks about how she likes to be convinced to do a scene in a particular way.
Suhasini, in this interview with Baradwaj Rangan, talks about how Mahendran told her to absorb cinema as a maker, the legendary director's friendship with Ilaiyaraaja, how close he is to Rajinikanth, why Mahendran didn't work with Balu Mahendra after Mullum Malarum and how he had approached her dad to cast her in a movie.
Ahead of #Ranarangam (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Ranarangam) ’s release- #SudheerVarma (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23SudheerVarma) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about how he got into films, his favourite directors, the difference between copying and getting inspired, who Ram Gopal Varma is to him and his love for world cinema.
Director S U Arun Kumar talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his transition from an engineer to a filmmaker. He also talks about his upcoming film #Sindhubaadh (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Sindhubaadh) , his rapport with actor #VijaySethupathi (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23VijaySethupathi) and more.
Actor #ShrutiHaasan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23ShrutiHaasan) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about creating independent music, how acting helped her make better music. She also talks about how her father #KamalHaasan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23KamalHaasan) wanted her to become an actor.
Sruthi Hariharan talks to Baradwaj Rangan about how she started her career as a background dancer before falling in love with the process of filmmaking. She talks about how rare it is for an actress in the Kannada film industry to speak her mind and about using art to drive change.
The acclaimed actress also talks about the MeToo movement, explaining her stand on the ongoing controversy and the difference between ‘bad touch’ and a harmless one. Calling her fight a need of the hour and something she needs to do for her future daughter, Sruthi also explains the emotional, physical and financial toll of the entire ordeal.
Director #Sasi (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Sasi) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his latest hit film #SivappuManjalPachai (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23SivappuManjalPachai) starring #Siddharth (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Siddharth) and #GVPrakashKumar (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23GVPrakashKumar) , how he casts, his working process and more.
Santhosh Narayanan talks about his 25th album, Vada Chennai, directed by Vetri Maaran. He speaks of the song, Kaarkuzhal kadavaiye, and why he wanted it in this album. He talks about his sound and why it came about, and how he goes about composing a song. He speaks of how ideologically inclined directors like Pa Ranjith and Mari Selvaraj have shaped his work and his life.
He speaks of the gaana song's resurgence and how his gaana songs are different from those by Deva. He talks about Karuppi, from Pariyerum Perumal, and his rural songs versus those by Ilayaraja and others. He speaks of his love for MS Viswanathan. He discusses how he composes background music, and his pet cause of substance abuse.
He talks about how he chooses a genre, and why he works with a particular set of singers. He name-drops Attakathi, Pizza, Soodhu Kavvum, Jigarthanda, Iraivi... He concludes with thoughts on his new open-door policy about interviews and whether it will last.
Box office trackers and Influencers #RameshBala (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23RameshBala) and #KaushikLM (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23KaushikLM) talk to Baradwaj Rangan about how easy it is to track a movie's collection in Chennai, the difference between production and distribution of films, why a producer will not know the original collection a movie has made, and how they work and when they work. They also talk about how disorganised the TamilNadu box office report is and how difficult it is for them to track the overall run of a movie.
In this two-part interview, Rajiv Menon talks about being a dominant-caste filmmaker tackling a Dalit narrative in Sarvam Thaala Mayam, his relationship with the "musically modest" AR Rahman, and why the cinematography in Mani Ratnam's "Bombay" is a milestone in his career.
In this two-part interview, Rajiv Menon talks about being a dominant-caste filmmaker tackling a Dalit narrative in Sarvam Thaala Mayam, his relationship with the "musically modest" AR Rahman, and why the cinematography in Mani Ratnam's "Bombay" is a milestone in his career.
On the 20th anniversary of #KandukondainKandukondain (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23KandukondainKandukondain) , cinematographer and director #RajivMenon (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23RajivMenon) talks about working with #Mammootty (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Mammootty) and #AjithKumar (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23AjithKumar) , #Ash (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Ash) and #Tabu (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Tabu) , #ARRahman (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23ARRahman) and more.
Director #PriyaKrishnaswamy (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23PriyaKrishnaswamy) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about her film #Baaram (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Baaram) , the real life incidents the film deals with and more.
Ahead of #OththaSeruppu (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23OththaSeruppu) ’s release Director and actor #RParthiban (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23RParthiban) talks to @BaradwajRangan about his early films and also about his love for the technicians who work in abstracts. He also talks about his experiences from working with his Guru #KBhagyaraj (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23KBhagyaraj) . He also talks about how he wants to technically improve with every film and how producers shut doors when you give a single flop.
Nithilan Swaminathan (Kurangu Bommai) and Lokesh Kanagaraj (Maanagaram) talk about being new-gen directors. The challenges. How they learnt their craft. About compromises and finding producers like SR Prabhu (Potential Studios). About reading books to make good cinema. Watching world cinema, Kamal Haasan films, Martin Scorese films, Truffaut and De Sica's films. How they can make a new Thalapathy with Vijay/Ajith, because only if stars act in new-gen films can this become a movement.
NaveenPolishetty (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23NaveenPolishetty) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about being a struggling actor in Mumbai, co-writing #AgentSaiSrinivasaAthreya (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23AgentSaiSrinivasaAthreya) , and says that the first quality to do comedy is... "you must be depressed". He also talks about his upcoming film #JathiRatnalu (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23JathiRatnalu) and much more.
Actor #Madhavan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Madhavan) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his debut film #Alaipayuthey (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Alaipayuthey) on its 20th anniversary, the memories he had and also about working with #ManiRatnam (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23ManiRatnam) . He also talks about visiting the theatre on the second day of release and recalls dupattas flying in the air.
Director and actor #KamalHaasan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23KamalHaasan) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about #ArivumAnbum (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23ArivumAnbum) , the song he wrote (and directed) about Coronavirus.
Join us for the Film Companion South Directors' Round Table. Looking back at the decade and looking forward, with #VetriMaaran (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23VetriMaaran) , #GauthamMenon (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23GauthamMenon) , #RParthiban (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23RParthiban) , #LakshmyRamakrishnan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23LakshmyRamakrishnan) , #Chezhiyan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Chezhiyan) and #RathnaKumar (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23RathnaKumar) .
Anand Shankar, director of NOTA, talks about his learnings as an Assistant Director in Bollywood and in Tamil cinema. (He assisted Siddharth Anand in Anjaana Anjaani, and AR Murugadoss in Thuppakki and 7aum Arivu.) He talks about his sensibility and why his second film (Iru Mugan) was less "Hollywoody" than his first (Arima Nambi). He talks about whether a big star means compromises and his learnings from his two films. He discusses why the action choreography in our films is so unimaginative. He speaks about NOTA and casting Vijay Deverakonda (Arjun Reddy had something to do with it). And he discusses not having his star speak in the trailer.
On the fifth anniversary of Premam, director #AlphonsePutharen (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23AlphonsePutharen) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about making the blockbuster film. He talks about working with actor #NivinPauly (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23NivinPauly) , about the Malar character, how much he likes actor #KamalHaasan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23KamalHaasan) and Ilaiyaraaja, and the magic that happens on set.
Aishwarya Rajesh talks about TV serials and her entry into cinema with films like Pa Ranjith's Attakathi. She talks about casting couch, about North Indian heroines and the opportunities they get. Despite performance-oriented roles like the ones in Dharma Durai (with Vijay Sethupathi) or Kaaka Muttai, she emphasises the need for glamorous roles opposite big stars like Ajith and Vijay and Vikram (her Dhruva Natchatiram co-star). She talks about being a Shah Rukh Khan fan, and about Simran, Roja, Khushbu, her favourite actresses. She discusses working with Seenu Ramasamy, Gautam Menon, Mani Ratnam, VetriMaaran, Manikandan, and talks about learning cricket for Sivakarthikeyan's Kanaa.
Kancherapalem director #VenkateshMaha (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23VenkateshMaha) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about working with stars, his vision of Prabhas playing the lead role in Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya, why a big moustache was important for the character, and his theory behind referring to #JrNtR (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23JrNtR) and #MaheshBabu (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23MaheshBabu) in his film.
Kancharapalem (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Kancharapalem) director #VenkateshMaha (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23VenkateshMaha) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his latest release #UmaMaheswaraUgraRoopasya (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23UmaMaheswaraUgraRoopasya) , how he got into films , his troubled childhood, why he wanted to remake #MaheshintePrathikaram (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23MaheshintePrathikaram) and what #DileeshPothen (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23DileeshPothen) told him about the movie.
Actor #SatyadevKancharana (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23SatyadevKancharana) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his latest film #UmaMaheswaraUgraRoopasya (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23UmaMaheswaraUgraRoopasya) , his passion for acting and much more.
Director #SandeepReddyVanga (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23SandeepReddyVanga) talks to Baradwaj Rangan on his debut film #ArjunReddy (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23ArjunReddy) , on its third anniversary. He also talks about #VijayDeverakonda (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23VijayDeverakonda) and #ShahidKapoor (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23ShahidKapoor) , why he finds the lead character a nox-toxic guy, the length of the first rough cut, and why he wants to produce his own films.
Director and actor #RakshitShetty (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23RakshitShetty) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about stardom and his 10-year journey. He speaks of his passion for writing and acting, the kind of films he wants to make, how his sensibility is more like #UlidavaruKandanthe (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23UlidavaruKandanthe) . He talks about his current project 777 Charlie and his pet project #Punyakoti (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Punyakoti) .
On the eve of his Hollywood role, #Nepoleon (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Nepoleon) talks about his return to acting, his favourite roles, and how moving to the US expanded the life of his son with Muscular Dystrophy.
In the Second part of the Face 2 Face interview, director and actor #LakshmyRamakrishnan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23LakshmyRamakrishnan) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about her future priorities, how she might respond to any social issues in future and the importance of her family.
Director and actor #LakshmyRamakrishnan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23LakshmyRamakrishnan) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about why she wants to help out struggling women, why she thinks social media is not a correct medium for activism and the episode with the #Bigg (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Bigg) Boss contestant.
For K Balachander's 90th birthday, actor #KavithalayaKrishnan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23KavithalayaKrishnan) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his legendary guru, about his love for #KamalHaasan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23KamalHaasan) and the first spotting of #Rajinikanth (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Rajinikanth) , and much more.
Director and producer #CVKumar (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23CVKumar) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about #RegalTalkies (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23RegalTalkies) (his pay per view platform), about working with Pa Ranjith and Karthik Subbaraj, and why big films like #Vijay (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Vijay) 's #Master (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Master) won't work on OTT.
AditiRoHydari (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23AditiRoHydari) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about working with #SanjayLeelaBhasali (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23SanjayLeelaBhasali) , #ManiRatnam (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23ManiRatnam) , Bejoy Nambiar, Sudhir Mishra and Naranipuzha Shanavas.
Director #VetriMaaran (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23VetriMaaran) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his latest film #Asuran (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Asuran) , #Dhanush (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Dhanush) 's performance and how he has given it his everything, how he adapted a book for the same. He also talks about making Vada Chennai's superb interval scene. He further talks about his plan for making #VadaChennai2 (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23VadaChennai2) and his next movie with comedian Soori and more.
Actor #VijayDeverakonda (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23VijayDeverakonda) responds to the #ArjunReddy (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23ArjunReddy) criticism and decides he needs to get a few things off his chest.
Baradwaj Rangan in conversation with two people whose recent film #KrishnaAndHisLeela (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23KrishnaAndHisLeela) got released on Netflix: director #RavikanthPerepu (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23RavikanthPerepu) and producer #RanaDaggubati (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23RanaDaggubati) . They chat about OTT release, the new normal and their future projects.
Director #RahulRavindran (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23RahulRavindran) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his upcoming film #Manmadhudu2 (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Manmadhudu2) , his journey in the film industry, how content driven films are making difference. He also talks about his experience of working with #Nagarjuna (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Nagarjuna) and how he made him write and execute the film that will appeal to a larger audience.
Actor #Prabhas (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Prabhas) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his new film #Saaho (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Saaho) , how the film's major action sequences were shot and why the film will be 'The Biggest Action Thriller From India'.
Nani (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Nani) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his acting process, how (his character in Jersey) changed him and how being an assistant director helped him on the sets. He talks about how he chooses his scripts and his love for animation films and Mani Ratnam movies.
Actor #AkkineniNagarjuna (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23AkkineniNagarjuna) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about working with director #RahulRavindran (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23RahulRavindran) on #Manmadhudu2 (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Manmadhudu2) , why he likes larger than life characters on screen, his secret to looking young and fabulous. He also talks about his love for #AmitabhBachchan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23AmitabhBachchan) 's films and working with him in the movie Khuda Gawah and a lot more.
Actor Akkineni #Nagarjuna (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Nagarjuna) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his upcoming film #Manmadhudu2 (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Manmadhudu2) , he also talks about his journey in the film industry, how he went after Mani Ratnam for Geetanjali. He also talks about Ram Gopal Varma, how he was clear with his edit and story.
Actor Director #LakshmyRamakrishnan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23LakshmyRamakrishnan) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about her upcoming film #HouseOwner (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23HouseOwner) , how a real life incident sparked the idea and how a lot of her personal experiences made the unusual love story. She also talks about the challenges of being a Director in a highly misogynistic Industry, how she handles this to pursue her passion of making movies.
Actor Director #LakshmyRamakrishnan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23LakshmyRamakrishnan) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about her experiences as an independent filmmaker, why small budget films must be made and how working backwards will protect the film's loss. She also talks about the TV show that she anchored, #SolvathellamUnmai (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23SolvathellamUnmai) , the struggles faced by women and why many people wanted to talk openly about their issues in her show.
Director #LokeshKanagaraj (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23LokeshKanagaraj) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his upcoming film #Kaithi (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Kaithi) , how the idea for the story came about and how Karthi's participation ensured a big budget. He also talks about his debut film Maanagaram, his next movie with Thalapathy #Vijay (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Vijay) and more.
Actor #HarishKalyan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23HarishKalyan) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his latest film Dharala Prabhu, his passion for acting and how he chooses his scripts. He also talks about why he wants his career to be like actor #ThalapathyVijay (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23ThalapathyVijay) and more.
Music director and actor #GVPrakashkumar (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23GVPrakashkumar) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his transition from a music director to an actor. He also talks about his working experience with directors #Selvaraghavan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Selvaraghavan) , #Vasanthabalan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Vasanthabalan) , #AnuragKashyap (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23AnuragKashyap) and Vetrimaaran.
Director #GauthamVasudevMenon (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23GauthamVasudevMenon) takes us through his process of making the short film #KarthikDialSeythaEnn (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23KarthikDialSeythaEnn) starring #Simbu (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Simbu) and #Trisha (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Trisha) .
Actor #Bharath (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Bharath) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his upcoming film #Kaalidas (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Kaalidas) , working in Bollywood industry and his passion for acting.
Producer #BoneyKapoor (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23BoneyKapoor) , in this interview with Baradwaj Rangan talks about why he produced #NerkondaPaarvai (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23NerkondaPaarvai) , the #Pink (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Pink) remake, his experience as a producer, how he met #Ajith (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Ajith) Kumar and how they agreed to do this film. He also talks about the reason for having the fight scene in Nerkonda Paarvai and more.
Stand-up comedian #BhargavRamakrishnan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23BhargavRamakrishnan) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his show on #AmazonPrime (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23AmazonPrime) , how comedy comes from tragedy and why it is important to fail to taste success. He also talks about what it takes to become a stand-comedian and how more people will soon find a place in it.
Director #BejoyNambiar (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23BejoyNambiar) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about the sudden interest in Malayalam cinema, old vs new filmmakers, about #DulquerSalmaan (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23DulquerSalmaan) and Solo, and why he still returns to #ManiRatnam (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23ManiRatnam) 's film sets as an Assistant Director. He also talks about his upcoming film, working with Vidhu Vinodh Chopra and much more.
Producer #ArchanaKalpathi (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23ArchanaKalpathi) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about what it is like to produce a Rs 180-crore megamovie like #Bigil (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Bigil) , what #ThalapathyVijay (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23ThalapathyVijay) fans want from their Thalapathy and why profits are guaranteed for everyone from producer to distributors. She also talks about AR Rahman's music, her role as a creative producer in the film, what she learnt while making the film and more.
In this interview with Baradwaj Rangan, director #ARMurugadoss (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23ARMurugadoss) talks about growing up a #Rajini (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Rajini) fan, the issues #Darbar (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Darbar) deals with, how the mass film is slowly evolving and why he reimagined Superstar’s character after his energy in Petta.
Anu Hasan talks about doing stunts, not doing the same roles, on whether she discusses her career with Mani Ratnam, Suhasini and Kamal Haasan, on nepotism and her famous surname, on playing sisters and mothers, and on the culture shock between foreign and Indian productions.
Actor #AmalaPaul (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23AmalaPaul) and director #RathnaKumar (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23RathnaKumar) talk to Baradwaj Rangan about the upcoming #Aadai (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Aadai) and why such a sensational teaser was necessary. Amala Paul also discusses how she got over the downs in her personal life, and Rathna Kumar speaks of the difficulties in pulling off Aadai.
AditiRoHydari (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23AditiRoHydari) talks to Baradwaj Rangan about her upcoming film #SufiyumSujathayum (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23SufiyumSujathayum) , her acting process and working with #ManiRatnam (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23ManiRatnam) , #Dhanush (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Dhanush) and Mysskin.
Online reviewer Abhishek Raaja, aka cinemapayyan, talks about his new channel (in collaboration with Potential Studios). What is the vision? What is going to be different from the work he did at Fully Filmy and Behindwoods? What did the "Dark Video" mean? He talks about reaching and audience beyond the click-baiting Ajith/Vijay videos, and reviewing films of industry people he is friends with. What is the difference in the film industry's views about the online space today? He addresses the criticism he got for the Andrea Jeremiah interview, how he found his voice, and what reviews mean to him.
In Part 2 of our chat with filmmaker Vetri Maaran he tells us about the challenges he faced to show the world that there's more to Indian cinema than Bollywood.
We're extremely excited to launch #FCSouth (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23FCSouth) with Baradwaj Rangan's FaceTime with filmmaker Vetri Maaran. Here they chat about Visaaranai, a film that went on to become India's official entry to the Oscars & what it took to carry out an Oscar campaign that often costs more than the film's production budget!
Sivakarthikeyan talks about his growth from Marina to Velaikkaran, and how he did not expect this success. About the comedian-to-hero trajectory that even legends like Nagesh did not attempt. About what success means to him, whether it has changed him. About his fans and his responsibility towards them. He talks about his serious side, and how he followed Mohan Raja's lead to get into a "dramatic" zone, and whether fans will accept him this way. He talks about PC Sreeram's contribution to Remo. He talks about social responsibility and addresses the "stalking" allegations against his films. He talks about his salary and how he reduced it for Velaikkaran. He talks about stand-up videos and how they are never going to replace the theatre experience. He talks about his favourite comedians (Goundamani, Vadivelu) and his favourite comedy scene (the "Vazhaipazham" scene). He talks about his favourite films (Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam, Edhir Neechal) and his favourite role (Velaikkaran) and what it taught him.
Film Companion South brings you Part 2 of the most definitive interview yet with Mani Ratnam, an in-depth conversation with the director who has been at the top of his game for over three decades.
On the eve of the release of Kaatru Veliyidai, Film Companion brings you the most definitive interview yet with Mani Ratnam, a director who has been at the top of his game for over three decades. In Part 1 of this in-depth conversation, our FC South editor Baradwaj Rangan quizzes the legendary filmmaker on the intricacies of his craft and writing process.
Director Chezhiyan, whose film To Let releases this Thursday, talks about the difference between art and commercial cinema, the works of Balu Mahendra and the films that inspired him.
Selvaraghavan talks to Baradwaj Rangan about why he can’t make another 7G Rainbow Colony, his writing process, casting Suriya in NGK, what’s happening with Nenjam Marapathillai and his unique colour themes.
Selvaraghavan talks about his films, including the ones that did not take off with Ajith, Vijay and Simbu. He talks more on why people think of Guna when they see Kaadhal Kondain, about the problems he faced during Irandam Ulagam. And about his other films like Pudhupettai and Mayakkam Enna.
Santosh Sivan talks about shooting Spyder. That he doesn't need to do much to make Mahesh Babu look good. What interests him about big-budget films. The cinematographer lets us in on how he lights his heroes like Vijay, Mohanlal & Rajinikanth.
Ahead of his Bollywood directorial debut with Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, RS Prasanna talks to Baradwaj Rangan about directorial stand points and the difference between Bollywood cinema and Tamil cinema. RS Prasanna also directed the original Tamil film Kalyana Samayal Saadham.
Director Ram talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his unique writing process which led to his globalization trilogy, how nature plays a major role in Peranbu and the new generation of directors that are taking Tamil cinema forward.
Post the stupendous success of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, actress Ramya Krishnan tells our FC South editor Baradwaj Rangan how playing Sivagami has changed her life. I'm getting better roles, better money and more respect for being a good actress - she says. She also tells us about her love for strong female characters and why inspite of working with Shah Rukh Khan, Yash Chopra and Subhash Ghai, she could never find success in Bollywood.
In this interview, Tamil actor Jayam Ravi fields a set of fun questions from FC South Editor Baradwaj Rangan ahead of the release of his film Vanamagan. The actor throws light on the biggest influences on his life & cinema and what keeps him ticking as an actor.
ANALYTICS (https://www.youtube.com/analytics#;fi=v-Up9ZfsFyn5w) EDIT VIDEO (https://studio.youtube.com/video/Up9ZfsFyn5w/edit) Baradwaj Rangan interviews Pushkar and Gayatri, directors of the soon-to-be-released movie, Vikram Vedha. The film stars R Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi.
Pooja Kumar, who is in Vishwaroopam II, talks about the experience of acting opposite writer-director and star Kamal Haasan, and how she learnt to look at her character as part of the whole movie. She talks about being from a Hindi-speaking family and learning Tamil, and auditioning for Kamal over Skype. She also speaks about her favourite Kamal films: Ek Duuje Ke Liye, Swathi Muthyam, Mahanadhi, Saagar, Hey Ram.
Dhuruvangal Padhinaaru and Naragasooran director Karthick Naren talks about learning direction through five films: Prestige, Kannathil Muthamittal, Psycho, The Secret in Their Eyes and Memories of Murder. He speaks about how he creates mood -- especially in the Naragasooran trailer. He discusses his writing process, and the themes/morals in his films. Also this question: At this young age, with so little life experience, is imagination enough to write a movie? He speaks about his strong pre-production process and his "light-hearted film," Naadaga Medai, and how he's a serious person. He talks about compromises that come in when stars are involved. And he talks about Part 3 of his thriller trilogy.
Our FC South Editor Baradwaj Rangan chats with Carnatic Music Vocalist T.M Krishna, about Film Songs and Classical music. Here they discuss the negative and positive connotations film music carries in relation with the good old classical taste.
Ahead of the release of Thupparivaalan, here's part 2 of Baradwaj Rangan's visit to the sets of the film to chat with filmmaker Mysskin. The film stars Vishal as a Sherlock Holmes inspired detective. Watch to know more about the influence of Charlie Chaplin on Mysskin's filmmaking.
Ahead of the release of Thupparivaalan, Baradwaj Rangan visits the sets of the film to chat with filmmaker Mysskin. The film stars Vishal as a Sherlock Holmes inspired detective. Here the filmmaker shows us his filmmaking notes, talks about why his collaboration with Kamal Hassan fell through & the fundamentals of his filmmaking.
Yuvan Shankar Raja talks about the three distinct phases of Tamil film music -- the MSV era, the Ilayaraja era, the Rahman era -- and why, later, it's been difficult to get a composer who monopolised the scene. He speaks about his legendary father, Ilayaraja, and explains the difference in their composing techniques, using two songs as examples -- Machan machan from Silambattam (starring STR), Saayndhu saayndhu from Neethane en Pon Vasantham (directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon). He talks about his production, Pyaar Prema Kaadhal, and how he composed the BGM and the hit song, High on Love. He talks about his collaborations with Selvaraghavan and Raam. He talks about how, as an untrained musician, he is able to give raga-based songs like Aaha kaadhal. He speaks about using live instruments and the difference it makes, and using the Chao Phraya Symphony Orchestra for Pudhupettai. He speaks about the changes in his life and music after embracing Islam. He addresses the social responsibility of a composer, with a song like Evan Di Unna Pethan. Finally, he talks about his favourite songs of his father's in various genres.
Singer Sid Sriram breaks down some of his favourite Ilaiyaraaja songs and the intention of his music. He also talks about the technicality of the maestro's compositions and how he gets his singers to sing. He also speaks about how Ilaiyaraaja's music helped him during his Carnatic performances.
Singer Sid Sriram breaks down the songs he has sung for AR Rahman, including the late night recording session in Boston that led to Kadal’s ‘Adiye’. He recalls the joy of listening to the finished product months later and its popularity upon release. The singer also takes us through the composing session of ‘Ennodu Nee Irundhal’ and of course, the super abstract ‘Thalli Pogathey’.
In this conversation with Baradwaj Rangan, Dhanush unravels his craft as one of the most versatile film personalities of the country. He admits that comedy is one of the most difficult genres to pull off and talks about what he is looking for in a film before taking it up.
In Cannes to promote #TheExtraordinaryJourneyOfTheFakir (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23TheExtraordinaryJourneyOfTheFakir) , #Dhanush (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Dhanush) talks about how his journey is similar to that of his character in the film -- which is why he identified with Fakir more than Raanjhanaa. He talks about his learnings from the international production, about not being insecure in front of either Bollywood actors (Amitabh Bachchan, Kajol) or international actors (Berenice Bejo), about acting in non-Tamil films. He also speaks about his Indian films -- VIP 2, Pa Paandi, the upcoming Aanand L Rai film and finding a footing in Bollywood, which earlier stars like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan could not do. He talks about his current projects - Vada Chennai, Enai Nokki Paayum Thotta, Maari 2. And of course, Kaala.
Hear Baradwaj Rangan in conversation with #Maari (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23Maari) fame director Balaji Mohan. Here they chat about his upcoming web series "As I am suffering from Kaadhal" and his journey of making films in both the commercial and short genres.
Arvind Swami recalls his Thalapathy audition, and how he was not nervous to act with Rajinikanth and Mammootty. He talks about reuniting with Mani Ratnam in Chekka Chivandha Vaanam, and goes on a flashback to the Roja/Bombay days. He talks about how his approach to acting has changed -- how he gives inputs to a film today, something that started with Mohan Raja's Thani Oruvan. He talks about his films in Telugu (Mounam ) and Hindi (Saat Rang Ke Sapne) -- and also Dear Dad, where he had apprehensions playing a gay character. He talks about working with Sridevi in Bharathan's Devaragam. ("I was in awe of her ability to transform.") He talks about acting in a hard-core commercial film like Thalattu. He says he hates repeating roles, like he did in Thani Oruvan's Telugu remake, Dhruva. Her talks about working with a new-gen director like Karthick Naren in Naragasooran. He says he will direct a film soon, and he has it all in his head. Finally, he speaks of his experiences with Mani Ratnam, Balu Mahendra, Mahendran, Bharathan, Rajiv Menon and Priyadarshan.
Singer Sid Sriram gets talking to Baradwaj Rangan about the music during the MSV Era and how he "deep dived" into the great composer's 'Ullathil Nalla Ullam' from Sivaji Ganesan's Karnan. He also talks about the magic of 'Malarnthum Malaratha' and the man who introduced him to it.
AR Murugadoss walks down memory lane with Baradwaj Rangan where he talks about picking heroes for his stories: Dheena (Ajith Kumar), Ramana (Vijayakanth), Ghajini (Suriya & Aamir Khan), Stalin (Chiranjeevi), Suriya (7aum Arivu, Thuppakki and Kaththi (Vijay), Spyder (Mahesh Babu). He talks about how Mohanlal doesn't worry about camera angles, & why it's easy to write a story with Rajinikanth in mind. The filmmaker also tells us whether he will work with smaller heroes, whether our big stars will do different roles, and whether his next film with Vijay can be truly different.
Anjali Menon -- director of Koode, Bangalore Days and Manjadikkuru, and writer of Ustad Hotel -- talks about what Bangalore means to Malayalis, and explains the new-gen phase of Malayalam cinema. (She singles out Ranjith's Kaiyoppu and Sameer Thahir's Chaappa Kurishu.) She talks about Padmarajan, Bharathan, Fasil, MT Vasudevan Nair, KG George, about the improved technique in Malayalam cinema. She discusses being a "woman filmmaker" and the Women in Cinema Collective. She talks about how she directs actors like Fahadh Faasil and Dulquer Salmaan, and her sensibility (she's also a dancer, and she says it helps her work in cinema). She talks about collaborating with technicians, making rooted cinema and being an outsider, and, lastly, about Mammooty and Mohanlal.
Karan Johar talks to Baradwaj Rangan about how Aditya Chopra introduced him to the cinema of Mani Ratnam. He talks about how different things would have been had he presented SS Rajamouli’s Ega in the North. Talking about 2.0, he says it’s going to have one of the biggest openings of Indian cinema and why it was a no-brainer to choose to distribute the film. Calling Bahubali a ‘beautiful and creative slap on our faces’ he explains why South Indian films have always been the pioneers of new technology.
Manikandan talks about his next film, Kadaisi Vivasayi (The Last Farmer), and why Rajinikanth would be great for the lead role. He talks about how he uses realism as a tool, and how a director needs time to confirm his talents. He says you shouldn’t make issues too strong, and you shouldn’t have only entertainment, without any message. He says not everyone will get the layers in a movie. He says a director can create engagement value through image, sound, a melody. In a visual medium, he says you have to think of images rather than dialogue. He says he won’t allow anyone to affect the core story, not even the producer. He says a lot of films don’t need background music, and talks about the Indian tradition of using music right when the emotion begins, not just to underline it. He talks about lensing and colour palettes. He analyses why he is considered uncompromising. He talks about keeping a hero’s image in mind, about the use of film festivals. He says doors open more easily for commercial filmmakers.
R Madhavan, star of the Amazon Prime original Breathe, talks about his 20-year-old career (his first major role, in the Kannada film Shanti Shanti Shanti, was in 1998). He laughs about being too "mature" for romantic roles, and discusses opting for quality over quantity, and his biggest reality check. He speaks about upcoming projects like Chanda Mama Door Ke, a sci-fi film about an Indian astronaut landing on the moon, and Savyasachi, his Telugu film with Naga Chaitanya. He talks about whether a Rajinikanth or a Shah Rukh Khan is possible anymore, and about the differences between Bollywood and the Tamil film industry -- including Dhanush's role in Raanjhanaa. He speaks on Pushkar-Gayatri's Vikram Vedha, and about his experiences of working with Mani Ratnam, Anand L Rai, Rituparno Ghosh, Kamal Haasan and Rajkumar Hirani.
John Edathattil (credited, sometimes, as Sab John) is the screenwriter of Guna (1991). In this video, he talks about writing a script based on the Sri Lankan civil war for Kamal Haasan, and then writing Guna when that project was dropped. He speaks about writing through a personal crisis, and the various aspects of the character of Guna (the religious nature, the 'thaali', his hatred for his face). He speaks of how Kamal improved the "Pentathol" scene with his acting, and also his inputs to the screenplay. He speaks of how Ilayaraja heightened the screenplay with his magnificent score (and that "letter song"). He speaks of how visuals (like the cave) enhance a screenplay, how to make a 'unique' script more mainstream, and whether screenwriting can be taught. He names recent films he liked for their screenplay (Pizza, Soodhu Kavvum, Maanagaram, Vikram Vedha, Dhuruvangal Padhinaaru), and says how much he was affected by Balaji Shaktivel's Kadhal.
Siddharth talks about his 'pure' horror trilingual Aval / Gruham / The House Next Door (directed by Milind Rau), and how horror as a genre hasn't been respected in India. He talks about completing 15 years as an actor, his fondness for the films that don't work at the box office (Striker, Kaaviya Thalaivan), how an actor is just a commodity, about the genesis of the name of his production house ("Etaki Entertainment"), how we celebrate mediocrity, and about working with directors like Mani Ratnam, Shankar, Prabhu Deva, Rakeysh Mehra, Balaji Mohan, Deepa Mehta, David Dhawan, Sundar C, Karthik Subbaraj, Vasanthabalan and Milind Rau.
Kamal Haasan talks about Vishwaroopam 2, and why the action genre doesn't form a big part of his over 200 films, other than the odd Vikram, Kurudhipunal, Thoonga Vanam, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, Aalavandhan and now the Vishwaroopam films. He speaks about being a star and actor (vis a vis someone like Naseeruddin Shah). Her speaks of Waheeda Rahman's role in Vishwaroopam 2. He speaks about the many career transitions in his life, and how Bigg Boss has taken him back to the masses, the way Sakalakalavallan did. He speaks about criticism, and why he entered politics, about his future films like Indian 2.
Subramaniyapuram turns ten this July. Sasikumar, currently starring in Asuravadham, talks about the success of the film, the failure of Easan (maybe he should have made it later, he wonders), what he got from assisting Bala and Ameer. He names his favourite films by Bharathiraja, Balachander, Balu Mahendra, Mahendran, Bala and Ameer, and talks about why these films are special. He says his not returning to direction is not because of the failure of Easan, but due to his acting commitments. He talks about stardom being a kind of prison, and about taking instructions from other filmmakers. And he talks about big, Baahubali-like historical project, written with Su Venkatesan, which he narrated to Suriya and Vijay.
Milind Rau, the director of Aval, Gruham, The House Next Door talks about the craft involved in directing a horror film. How he alternated between letting the various departments do their own thing and micro-managing it all. He explains what he did in the areas of colour, sound design, background score, cinematography and editing -- and how these (and other departments) came together in the pre-interval exorcism sequence. (He talks about this scene in detail.) He tells how he tried to second-guess the viewer in terms of the scares. And about the classic horror films (The Exorcist, The Omen, Ringu) he used as a reference point, and also paid homage to.
Writers Mysskin, Nalan Kumarasamy and Neelan along with its director Thiagarajan Kumaraja, the writers of Super Deluxe starring Vijay Sethupathi, Samantha, Fahadh Faasil, Ramya Krishnan, try to explain the complicated writing process of the film, the beauty of its trailer and what they loved about Aaranya Kaandam.
Mysskin also reveals how he composed, wrote and sang a song in the film.
SuperDeluxe #Mysskin #ThiagarajanKumararaja #FahadhFasil
Before the release of #LakshmisNTR, director Ram Gopal Varma talks to Hemanth Kumar about how the film began as a joke, his affinity towards larger-than-life characters, his interest in making a web series and why he fails to understand Indian politics.
RGV
Madhan Karky talks about using computers in lyric-writing, creating words to keep up with the times and why we should not try to make Tamil alternatives for words like Google, Facebook and Twitter.
MadhanKarky #Lyrics
Murali Gopy speaks to Vivek Ranjit about his “rain-like” writing process, the experimental nature of his scripts, his disregard for political biopics and Prithviraj, the director of Lucifer.
Lucifer #MohanLal #Prithviraj
Ahead of #SuperDeluxe, actress #Samantha talks about her Instagram account, working with #ThiagarajanKumararaja and phase in her career where she can "just be" in front of the camera.
VijaySethupathi talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his acting process, how Shilpa (his character in SUPER DELUXE) changed him and how he deals with egoists on the sets. He talks about how he deals with directors as varied as Thiagarajan Kumararaja and Mani Ratnam,
and how he gives importance to the screenplay (even in underperforming films like JUNGA).
SuperDeluxe
Ahead of #Majili, Baradwaj Rangan talks to actors Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Akkineni about how they have grown as actors, the darker shades of #Majili, how they choose scripts, nepotism in the Telugu film industry and the importance box office numbers play in their careers.
NagaChaitanya #Samantha
Director Hemanth Rao, who made the hit Kannada film Godhi Banna Sadharna Mykattu, talks to Baradwaj Rangan about his upcoming murder mystery #Kavaludaari, his assisting stint with Girish Kasaravalli, his contributions to the script of Andhadhun, his penchant for bad films and Thenali, his future project.