Short film maker Sarjun KM had the dream of making it big in the film industry since childhood. Apart from making short films, he also assisted AR Murugadoss and Mani Ratnam in their films. Now, Sarjun is making his entry as director with Echarikai Idhu Manidhargal Nadamadum Idam, starring Sathyaraj and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar in the lead roles. Speaking about his maiden venture, Sarjun explains, “I learned the art of filmmaking through short films and gained exposure by assisting legendary directors. My first feature film, Echarikkai… is a suspense drama based on lord Karna’s ideology — if you do good, you will receive it back. The film has parallel stories which would culminate into a single motive towards the climax.”
Having an experienced actor like Sathyaraj in one’s debut film is not easy. “I was looking out for a performer in his 60s and when I narrated the story to him, he agreed to come on board. Varalaxmi plays a dancer in the movie and I roped her in because I wanted a good dancer and a performer,” quips the director. Actors Kishore, Yogi Babu, Jayakumar and newcomer Vivek Rajagopal play supporting roles.
Sarjun reveals that he is open to suggestions. “Sathyaraj, Varalaxmi and Kishore gave me inputs and cleared their doubts in the screenplay during the pre-production stage. I am very welcoming towards new ideas. At the same time, when they came to the shooting spot, they let me be myself. The film which was shot in Puducherry and Chennai has been completed,” he asserts. Art director Vijay Adhinadthan, lyricist Kabilan, cinematographer Sudharshan, composer Sundaramoorthy KS and editor Karthik Jogesh are part of the technical crew. This flick is jointly produced by CP Ganesh and Sundar Annamalai under Timeline Cinemas.
