Poster of the movie 'Aanandam' and director Ganesh RajSix years ago, actor Dileep introduced a debutant director and a group of new faces to Malayalam cinema. That director, Vineeth Srinivasan, later went on to become a hit maker. Nivin Pauly and Aju Varghese, who debuted as actors in that film, went on to become important parts of Malayalam commercial films.
Now Vineeth is producing a film using a debutant director and new faces. Ganesh Raj, the new director would present the film under Lal Jose's LJ Films. Camera would be handled by Anand C Chandran of Premam fame and music would be scored by Sachin Warrier. Ganesh Raj talks about Aanandam the new venture:
''Aanandam is a 'feel-good' positive movie. It's more like a coming-of-age film because it talks about a particular stage in life when people have to face the realities of life. After degree, one transitions into a person with responsibilities from a person who had been having a carefree time in college. The film talks about seven friends, their ego clashes and how they solve it between them.
The film talks about 18-19 year olds''Since this film talks about 18-19 year olds, we had to seek new faces because all active actors have gone beyond that age. Out of the seven central characters, six are facing the camera for the first time. One has appeared in a cameo role before. The seven have been able to give the film a fresh feeling.
''The film, from start to finish, has a travel mood. It starts with a travel organised from an engineering college for four days. The first and second half involves the trip. You can say this is a film that starts and ends with travel. It is during such trips that students get to know each other well. It is during such travels that we get to know hidden talents of friends and even fall in love. Nights are especially beautiful during these trips and the film has a lot of night scenes.
I consider Vineeth Sreenivasan as a teacher or elder brother, says Ganesh''I do not see Vineeth Srinivasan as the producer of the film, but I consider him as a teacher or elder brother. I was his assistant director from Thattathin Marayath onwards. He became a producer quite by accident. He was involved in all phases of the film. He did not like the first draft of the script and approved it only after reworking it five times. He asked me not to approach a producer without making the script full-proof. He also suggested that he would find a suitable producer for me. It was Vinod Shoranur who suggested Vineeth Srinivasan as a producer and perhaps I was the last to know that he was to produce the film. All had kept that as a surprise for me.
Aanandam team''Many things I learnt from Vineeth Srinivasan has helped me to make the film. On his sets, everyone feels that it is their film because he creates such an ambience. I too tried to follow the same style and was open to suggestions and comments by anyone. That helped us to share ideas and progress better.
''He never intervened in any stage of the film and I had full freedom to select actors and technicians for the film. I have also tried out new things in the film, which he approved. While he would arrive at the sets, he would disappear when the shot was being taken, perhaps not to interfere with his presence.
Ganesh on the sets of the movie''Me and Anu Elizabeth were classmates up to Engineering college. She is good at writing in both English and Malayalam. Sachin was our batch mate. I randomly suggested that he should direct music for the film and while we were busy with the script, he was busy building his music career. He had become a good music director when the film script was ready. I have been associated with Anand for a long time. He can sense what I want.
''The film is made differently and does not use cranes or jibs. Most of the time natural lighting is being used and we travelled about 3000 kms during the shoot. Taking the unit along was not practical and so we went without a unit. You can see it all when you see the film.
''Aanandam is a film that talks about campus life, friendship and love. It may perhaps make you nostalgic.''
