Rajiv Menon talks about being a dominant-caste filmmaker tackling a Dalit narrative in Sarvam Thaala Mayam, his relationship with the “musically modest” AR Rahman, and why the cinematography in Mani Ratnam’s “Bombay” is a milestone in his career.
For more, subscribe to FILM COMPANION SOUTH: http://bit.ly/2xoNult
Copyright ©2018 Film Companion.
Baradwaj Rangan 
brangan
December 12, 2018
Part 1 is up.
LikeLike
Anu Warrier
December 12, 2018
BR, you led off with how Rajive Menon said that Kandukondein Kandukondein was autobiographical – how could you have let him off so easily? That was Sense and Sensibility, chapter and verse. Any Jane Austen reader could have told you. In fact, even at the time the film released he received flak for failing to credit his source.
It was pretty much like the time when Amol Palekar insisted that Kachhi Dhoop was the story of his then-wife, Chitra and her siblings when it was more than abundantly clear that [well-adapted] was a rip-off of Little Women.
And is he really claiming credit for the story of Dangal now? Because Aamir didn’t come up with that idea or go to Siddharth Roy Kapoor with the idea of the Phogat sisters. Someone in Siddharth Roy Kapoor’s team highlighted a biopic on the Phogat sisters and then it was taken to Aamir – who initially told them to come back to him after ten years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
e221
December 13, 2018
One of the most Deepest, Personal, Emotional and absolutely Mindblowing interview I have ever seen. Rajeev sir Articulates some of the complex human emotions in simple words is really Amazing!…
I have not seen or even Known about Rajeevs Mother But In Just 2 Minutes, with just ffew words Rajeev sir Conveyed a life Story in 2 minutes.. No wonder Even after 18 years kandukondain kandukondain remains Personal Favourite movie of many people. Simply Amazing!!!!!
LikeLike
Dora
December 14, 2018
I loved KK. It was an incredibly empowering movie – 3 women (and a young girl) make it on their own after being let down by their family and boyfriends. I especially loved the Raghuvaran bits – Tabu coding on the sly, female colleagues standing up for each other, Tabu being rewarded with a programmer position, solid pay Cheque, US opportunity etc…..it was so progressive for that day and age; that was the same year I left for the US to go to grad school. All that was expected from many women in that generation was just marriage and babies. I would love for someone to ask Rajiv Menon about how he made such a refreshingly feminist movie. Sure, it was inspired at some level by Jane Austen , but it totally stands on its own merits, just like Nayakan despite being a godfather remake.
LikeLike
brangan
December 14, 2018
Part 2 is up.
LikeLike
Srinivas R
December 14, 2018
Loved the explanation about Bombay scenes and he seems to be very passionate about his craft. Not a big fan of his attempts at direction though. Minsara Kanavu and KK were middling movies IMO. Hoping for better from Sarvam Thala Mayam.
LikeLike
sai16vicky
December 15, 2018
Interesting trivia: the glorious “Kaadhal Rojave” song was originally recorded in Rajeev Menon’s voice. Eventually, the SPB version was the one that got released. Makes me wonder how the song would have sounded in RM’s voice.
LikeLike
brangan
December 15, 2018
Anu: He said in an earlier interview that along with Austen, there was this core of him and his brother, etc. So when I started out with that question, I just assumed everyone knew about the Austen angle and just asked about the brothers bit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anu Warrier
December 15, 2018
BR, thanks for the response.
LikeLike
Ravi K
December 15, 2018
TOI interview with Rajiv Menon
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/music-is-a-medium-that-allows-you-to-fly-beyond-your-caste-rajiv-menon/articleshow/67076269.cms
LikeLike