Interview with Bramma, director of Kuttram Kadithal

In a tête-à-tête with Only Kollywood, Bramma, director of national award-winning film Kuttram Kadithal, talks about his debut directorial effort and the film.

What is the significance of this title?

We decided the title only after the movie was done. My film is based on few incidents and various people’s reactions to the same. I’ve been a part of few NGOs and GOs. Actually, I have made this movie out of my experiences from working with them. So when we were discussing on the title, I came across this statement “Kuttram Kadithal” from Thirukkural. This athigaram in Thirukkural has 10 kurals on preventing mistakes. This word Kadithal has two meanings – one is to prevent, another one is to punish. Both the definitions are well suited for my story, so we chose this title. After you watch the movie, you can very well relate it with the title and will understand why we opted for it.

Going by your explanation, do you intend to convey a message through the film?

I personally don’t have an intention to deliver a message through the film. What I believe is, any film should have strong content. I don’t want
to get into the mainstream movie-making with romance, comedy and action devoid of a solid content. A movie should not be preachy. It should provoke few questions and debates among the audience.

The blockbuster success of Kaaka Muttai has changed the perception that ‘festival movies don’t work at the box office’. 

All these awards and recognition will definitely elevate the movie. Kuttram Kadithal has no established actors, it has all new faces. So
definitely the accolades have increased the expectations among movie-goers. Those who have already watched the film in festivals have
agreed that this film is not meant for festivals but for the normal audience. Through word-of-mouth this has already reached the people
and the expectations are high now.

What is Kuttram Kadithal about?

Kuttram Kadithal revolves around a small incident that we encounter in our day-to-day lives. So how it induces different reactions among different people forms the plot. And, everything happens in a span of 24 hours.

You have an eye for talent. Your supporting cast are handpicked theater artists. 

Radhika Prasidhha is a theater artiste, a writer and director. She has done a web series named Nyayiru Maalai. So after watching her works
only, we approached her to act in this movie and she has delivered a good performance. Pavel Navageethan was introduced in Madras as Viji,
he is also a theater artiste for more than 15 years. He has made around 15 short films and received awards for his works. And the little one Master Vijay is studying in a Government home, I have worked with him earlier in few stage shows and puppet shows. He already has drawn the attention of audiences who watched the movie in the festivals. Sai Raj Kumar is a student. So all are debutants.

Was your casting a conscious choice?

Basically, I am a theater artist so I had a thought that I can handle the theater artists well and it worked out too. In my opinion the performance for a stage and movie are distinct, so we worked to convert our theater experience to suit the big screen. Also I was already acquainted with some of these artists, so naturally it was easy for me to work with them.

Shankar Rangaraajan has delivered a poignant album which has been received well across the board.

Even during the days when I was doing plays, I had a strong belief that  songs occupy a vital place in a play. I have done 500 to 600
street plays and I personally like songs. In fact, initially we did not plan to have the Naagangal Rendum track in the movie. In that song
we have employed Pulluvan Pattu, an instrument indigenous to Kerala which is predominantly used in temples to charm snakes, like our
Magudi. Shankar is a classmate of our producer Christy Siluvappan. He was a keyboard player in Vijay TV’s Super Singer reality show. The background score garnered so much appreciation in festivals. I hope it impresses our audiences too.

You have worked with Anthony for Sound Designing. 

Anthony B.Jayaruban has worked in Madras and the critically acclaimed Marathi movie Vihir. Actually in Tamil, Kuttram Kadithal is his first film but Madras was released first. We are good friends from college, then he went to pursue his higher in Pune. We have done many stage shows and mime shows during our college days.  I did not have a second choice for a sound designer. Apart from all these factors he is really skilled, he knows what a script or scene demands. He is now working as a sound designer for Rajinikanth’s Kabali.

JSK Film Corporation has been producing award-winning films. How was it associating with JSK for the film?

After we completed the movie, we applied for two festivals and we were waiting, it was then J Satish Kumar sir bought the movie. Then we
started to receive recognition, he supported us to apply for Indian Panorama and took the film to few other festivals too.

Kuttram Kadithal releases on September 24th. Only Kollywood wishes the team a great succes.