'My short film is along the lines of Malgudi Days', says director Priyadarshan

With his movie said to be inspired by actor Innocent Vareed Thekkethala’s life, Priyadarshan becomes latest director to join Ratnam’s anthology, Navarasa

Last year, filmmaker Mani Ratnam announced that he was backing the Tamil anthology, Navarasa, to raise funds for Tamil film industry workers who were hit hard by the pandemic. Each of the nine short stories in the Netflix film, helmed by nine directors, represents a different emotion—anger, love, compassion, courage, peace, fear, disgust, laughter and wonder. It is now learnt that Priyadarshan’s film, tentatively titled Summer of ’92 and featuring well-known Tamil actor-comedian Yogi Babu and child artistes, draws inspiration from Innocent Vareed Thekkethala’s life. The filmmaker apparently procured permission from the famous Malayalam actor-politician for the story.

Speculations are rife that the film focuses on ‘hasya’ or humour, but Priyadarshan only elusively shares, “My short film is along the lines of Malgudi Days. It’s a challenge to make a humorous movie in 35 minutes.” The National Award-winning filmmaker wrapped up the shoot in seven days. The project is currently under post-production.

Mani Ratnam and Priyadarshan

Filming the short in the jungles of Karnataka and Kerala wasn’t a cakewalk for the filmmaker, who had to be hospitalised post the stint. “On the last day, when we were shooting in a village on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, a poisonous plant scraped my feet. After 24 hours, I had fever and rashes all over my body, and had to undergo a minor surgery.” 

From actors Revathy, Vijay Sethupathi, and Nithya Menen to directors Bejoy Nambiar, Karthik Subbaraj, and Arvind Swami, the brightest talents of the Tamil film industry are attached to the film. Priyadarshan is humbled to do his bit for a noble cause. “We have made it to raise funds for the workers of [Film Employees Federation of South India]. The profits will go to charity. The artistes, technicians and directors have worked without a fee.”

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