In recent times, no other young director has got such a launch pad in Tamil cinema. We are talking about Bakkiyaraj Kannan, the director of the upcoming Sivakarthikeyan starrer Remo, produced by RD Raja. ‘Bakki’ was busy with the final mixing of the film, as Kaushik LM catches him for an exclusive interview chat.
How has Remo turned out? Better than what you had planned?
“I couldn’t have asked for a better launch, in any way. Remo has turned out bigger and better than what I had visualized. It will be a film, loved by all.”
Remo was shot for how many days and across which locations?
“We shot for about 100 days in Chennai and Vizag. Out of the 100, for about 45 days, the lady make-over’s portions were shot in Vizag. We didn’t want to leave any scope for the lady look to be exposed and leaked in the media, by shooting here in Chennai.”
How is the feeling ahead of Remo’s release next week? All the promo materials have become sensational Hits …
“It’s a mixture of fear, nerves and excitement. The expectations have created a big responsibility in us. Ultimately, people have to accept what we have delivered, on the 7th. The film should also hopefully get a great response, like our promo materials.”
“For the lady look’s portions, he has brought out his acting skills like never before. It’s a changeover for him and a new attempt from his side. Remo will present more than the usual Siva, and there will be no shortage of entertainment. The film will also have lots of emotions, in addition to love, romance and comedy in equal doses. Usually in Siva sir’s films, it’s more on the comedy side.”
Remo has two celebrated pairs, Siva – Keerthy and Siva – Sathish. How has the chemistry clicked?
“Like Siva – Soori, Siva – Sathish is another superb combination which has already worked out nicely in Ethir Neechal. They are very close friends and that’s naturally reflected on screen. Coming to Siva – Keerthy, they clicked well in Rajini Murugan as a village pair. Remo will add a city flavor to their pairing and audiences will easily connect to this ‘boy next door’ and ‘girl next door’.”
In your very first film, you have been exposed to top-notch technicians and an ambitious premise, involving extensive make-up and other aspects. How has the learning experience been?
“I didn’t imagine that Remo will grow to be this big. The pre-production phase was tough, as we had to do extensive work for the lady getup. It shouldn’t go wrong in anyway as a rising star had shown his belief in me. We did a lot of hard work for that look, and Siva sir co-operated a lot. He went through 10 to 15 makeup tests and we subjected him to a lot of torture (laughs). Though he didn’t express it outside, it was visible that he was under strain. He gave his 100% to this project. 
And all the big technicians like P.C.Sreeram sir, Resul sir, Muthuraj sir and editor Ruben didn’t make me feel their level and stature. They worked hard for my sake and offered their full support to me. They treated me like a little brother and did whatever I wanted. I am plain lucky in that aspect.”
Would you be willing to take up such an ambitious film again?
“I would definitely be game. I wish to take up tough, ambitious films, even if it takes 2 years to make. Remo was a difficult proposition in the beginning but the output is good now. I don’t want to do the regular, easy kind of films.”
A project like Remo wouldn’t have materialized without a hardcore producer like RD Raja …
“He is ‘vera level’. He always thinks big and is the main reason for Remo’s grandeur and scale, today. When I was initially skeptical about working with PC sir in my very first film, Raja sir advised me, stating that working with PC sir will be worth the experience of doing 10 films. I felt exactly that while working with such celebrated technicians, as their experience is so vast and they were more than willing to share their expertise.
You have committed for one more film with RD Raja’s 24 AM Studios. Any comments on that? Will the Siva – Bakkiyaraj combination repeat?
“It is too early and I have not decided concretely, yet. I have about 4 to 5 lines but wish to be done with Remo before thinking more about my next. I am not sure of the Siva sir combination again, as he has a huge line-up for the next 2 years. If things fall in place at the right time, the combo is possible again.”
Now that you have wrapped a ‘cross-dressing’ film with Sivakarthikeyan, which other hero, do you feel, would be apt for a similar film?
“For this story, Siva sir’s young, boyish looks and lean physique were main clinching factors. We also had to match Keerthy’s age group. Other heroes would’ve looked really mature.
Coming to the question, senior heroes like Kamal sir, Vikram sir and Suriya sir have already done this. (Finally, when I suggest Jiiva’s name, Bakki nods in approval)
Finally, your comments on people saying that Remo has been lifted from Tootsie?
“People are entitled to see the film and then comment, but they have started judging now itself. They can’t pinpoint to any particular film, if it’s a generic love story but because of the cross-dressing aspect, they can easily narrow it down and start speculating about any possible Hollywood rip-offs. I wrote the story of Remo even before I saw Tootsie, I didn’t get inspired (laughs). Remo will be different.”
Best wishes for a rousing debut success, Bakkiyaraj. We are excited about Remo !!!
Interviewed by Kaushik LM