'Inspired by two screenplays of my father', Vineeth Sreenivasan on ‘Varshangalkku Shesham’

Vineeth Sreenivasan’s ‘Varshangalkku Shesham’ takes us back to Kodambakkam during the 1970s. Hub of the then film workers Swami’s Lodge, the streets filled with beedi smoke, movie theatres where cheers were heard have made a comeback in the movie. 

Once upon a time, Madras was the dream city for those who aspired cinema. To become an actor, to become a director, to be a singer, to tell stories, and to become filmmaker… thousands came to the metropolis. Madras, where people spent their entire lives dreaming about cinema, wandered around looking for opportunities and ended up as junior artists or light boys.

Vineeth created the characters for his new film out of this land of memories. Therefore, along with the creator’s imagination, glimpses and shadows of real lives can also be seen and felt in ‘Varshangalkku Shesham’. 

It is never an arduous task forVineethSrinivasan to find producers and actors. Yet what causes long gaps between one movie and the next?

When the idea of the film and the desire to write are resolute, that's when the writing process begins. Once I start writing, things move faster… but there should be a strong urge to start writing. There will be a point when you get the feeling… This is the next film. By then, I'll have a lot of ideas in mind, and factors determining the flow of the plot will be saved as voice recordings on my phone. Cinema is born out of ideas that develop in our minds, and I wait till these ideas are in full bloom. I cannot develop a movie by making a project with actors and producers beforehand. My method is different.

I heard that the story of ‘Varshangalkku Shesham’ is something you've been carrying in your mind since college days. Even after all these years, has the story never lost its relevance?

There are stories that lose relevance over time and some that don't. I have abandoned some stories altogether because of that. There are a few stories and ideas I had during my college days that can still be made into movies. ‘Varshangalk Shesham’ is one such story. Some stories are like that. They travel with you. Initially, it was set in the 1970's; today, the film begins in that era and ends in 2024. 

You've recreated Kodambakkam from the 1970s for this film. Isn't it unusual for Vineeth films to narrate stories using big sets?

When a story demands certain things, we have to create them. A major part of the movie is set in Kodambakkam in the 1970s. I knew that for this movie, sets were a necessity, as it's hard to recreate a time period without them. The fact that this story needed to be completed on a huge canvas with a large budget is another reason it was delayed. Kodambakkam's Swami's Lodge, shops, and hotels have all been recreated in Arur. Priyan uncle (director Priyadarshan) said that he was able to feel the old Kodambakkam when he visited the set. Actor Y G Mahendra also shared the same. Although the shooting of the film was completed in forty days, it took two months to create the sets.

In this movie, two young men move to Madras to try their luck. In the film, there are scenes of Kodambakkam in the 1970s. Is this story relatable to the life of your father? 

This story is inspired by two screenplays written by my father. I have listened to many stories from him, and some of these events have been deeply imprinted on my mind ever since childhood. In this film, we will see traces of the lives of people who came to Kodambakkam with the dream of cinema. We have only heard about the lives of people who became successful filmmakers by surviving the hardships in the film industry.

However, there are a number of lives that were lost in this battle. Friendship is the core factor of this movie. All of it has been added to the story. When I narrated the story to my father, he said the plot has both humour and life, and the audience would love such movies. His words encouraged me to do this film.

Nivin, Pranav, Dhyan, Basil, Aju, Neeraj, Kalyani… Vineeth's whole crew has come together in this film; were they already in your mind while writing the story?

I knew that this film would not work out without Dhyan, Pranav, and Nivin. Aju, Basil, and Neeraj’s characters evolved during storywriting. Everyone suggested Kalyani after listening to the story. The shooting of the film was like a celebration. The whole set was filled with fun, jokes, laughter, and much more. Dhyan and Basil were the main villains. It was a nice experience to bring all those we love together in a frame.

Dhyan made his film debut in Thira, a movie directed by you. How does it feel to work with him after so many years? 

Dhyan was a newcomer to the industry when we did Thira. As an actor, he has evolved so much. The shooting was never my concern; promotions were! One cannot predict what he might tell the media during interviews and promotions. I had asked him not to reveal the surprise elements, explain the plot, etc. Dhyan has a special ability to remember and tell people everything that he’s not supposed to talk about!

Songs are another highlight of Vineeth Sreenivasan's movies. You're a singer and lyricist in this film.. about songs in ‘Varshangalkku Shesham’…

Songs play a crucial role in ‘Varshangalkku Shesham’. There are about 10 songs in this film. Amrit Ramnath is the music director. When I listened to some of his songs, I felt that the style suited the context of the film. I have written three songs for the film.