Film director Rajkumar Periasamy says he feels overwhelmed by the love people have showered on his war drama movie “Amaran”, a war drama starring Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi.
The 2024 Tamil-language film, which served as the opening film of the Indian Panorama section of the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI), is based on the true story of Indian Army officer Major Mukund Varadarajan, played by Sivakarthikeyan.
The story, adapted from a chapter of the book “India’s Most Fearless: True Stories of Modern Military Heroes”, chronicles Varadarajan’s journey from college to his military service in Kashmir and the sacrifice that he makes during a counter-terrorism operation in 2014.
Pallavi essays the role of Mukund’s wife, Indhu Rebecca Varghese, who received the Ashoka Chakra award on behalf of her late husband.
“I don’t remember the process of ‘Amaran’, or the screenplay order. By the time I gave away the film from post-production centers for the release until then I was carrying the film within me. Once, I gave it out, then the audience owns it and we are burden-free. I don’t have the burden of success on me. I’ll wear ‘Amaran’ as a proud feather on my shoulder,” Periasamy, who made his debut with the 2017 Tamil film “Rangoon”, told PTI.
“Since, the time it was released the love that has been showered upon the film, cast and crew, and me, is overwhelming. When I look back, the process for the film was more than six to six-and-a-half years, so it took a lot of time, but it was worthwhile,” he said.
The filmmaker further said he is glad viewers connected with the film for its true purpose —telling the real-life story of a soldier who sacrificed his life for the country.
“Every time I receive an award or felicitation or I’m at a screening, I only think of the sacrifices made by our Indian army, soldiers, and the families of the soldiers,” Periasamy said.
The film, which was released across the country on October 31, 2024, reportedly earned over Rs 300 crore at the box office. It is produced by veteran actor Kamal Haasan’s banner Raaj Kamal Films International.
The filmmaker said he feels “blessed” to have had two exceptional performers — Pallavi and Sivakarthikeyan — leading the film.
“I wrote the film during lockdown. There’s a scene where Indu walks on the stage wearing a sari, until then she is tomboyish. While I was writing the sari scene, I only thought of Sai Pallavi as a character, I didn’t know if she would agree to it. But she said yes after I gave her the narration,” Periasamy said.
For the role of Varadarajan, Sivakar-thikeyan was the only actor who came to the director’s mind.
“Both Siva and I knew each other beforehand, we both started our career with TV and so I had that access. I found him right for the role because he has not done any such character before,” he said. Periasamy reportedly is set to direct Dhanush in his next movie.
When asked about the project, the filmmaker said, “My films will always have theme of humane (stories), and a lot of realism.”
Wolf & Dog Team Backs Film Idiot
Panaji: The producing team behind “Wolf & Dog” have boarded “Idiot”, a Ladakhi feature film that was showcased at the co-production market of the WAVES Film Bazaar, the industry platform of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
Set in the high-altitude Changthang region of Ladakh, “Idiot” marks the feature debut of filmmaker Stenzin Tankyong, known for shorts such as “Sekool” and “Last Days of Summer”, which played at international festivals including Rotterdam.
The coming-of-age drama follows Singay, an 18-year-old prankster and the sole Class 10 student in a remote Government school, whose teachers resort to increasingly desperate measures to ensure he passes his board exams, according to a press release.
Produced by Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam along with Rajesh Thanickan of White Crane Films, the project has secured French co-producers Flore Cavigneaux and Jerome Blesson of La Belle Affaire Productions, known for the Venice title “Wolf & Dog”.
Describing the film as humorous yet humane, the makers said it highlights the fragility of rural education systems in Ladakh, where Government school enrolments have been steadily declining as parents turn to private institutions in Leh and other cities.
“An uneducated generation cannot uplift its community. This film explores that truth — with honesty, humour and heart,” Tankyong said.
Sarin said Tankyong’s work brings an authentic Ladakhi voice to Indian cinema.
“I immediately recognised Idiot’s potential to emerge as a universal coming-of-age story set within a very specific Ladakhi context,” she added.
The project has initiated financing discussions at Film Bazaar, with some private equity already secured, and the team is seeking international partners and co-producers as it moves into the next phase, the makers said.