A LETTER TO MR.MANI RATNAM

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By Behindwoods Visitor S Gopalakrishnan
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mani-ratnam-ravanan-15-03-11
Dear Mr.Mani Ratnam,

I am one of the crores of fans you have all over India. The number of movies you have made and number of movies, I like amongst them are almost equal. The word ‘Almost’ in the previous sentence gains significance, thanks to your latest two movies viz. Ravanan and Guru. I understand that you were trying to have a strong hold in India’s largest industry and to have a wider global-market; however the wait of a Tamilian who watches only ordinary original Tamil movies had been a bit long.

I am very happy to know from recent media reports that you have turned back your attention to your home pitch, as you are about to do an original and full-fledged Tamil movie without any adulteration from other languages in any form. Doubled is my happiness, since your new movie is going to be a historical one based on ‘PONNYIN SELVAN’, an epic written by Amarar Kalki.

Sir, no doubt, you are the best person to convert this story into a 2-3 hours script and make it a movie as aesthetically as even Mr.Kalki would have envisioned it’s filming while writing it. Here is the wish list of a humble fan of yours as well as the legendary writer Kalki, on the casting and technical crew of the proposed movie.

Casting;

Given: Vijay, Arya , Mahesh Babu and Anushka have already signed the project,

Vijay-Vandhiyathevan

Arya- Arulmozhivarman/Raja Raja Chozhan

Prabhu- Anirudha Brhmarayar

Prakash Raj/Sathyaraj- Aditha Karikalan

Nasser-Periya Pazhuvettarayar

Sampath-Chinna Pazhuvettarayar

Mahesh Babu- Sendhan Amudhan (Uthama Chozhan)

Anushka-Kundhavai Pratti

Ramyakrishnan/Sangeetha-Nandhini Devi

Rajesh-Malayaman/Miladuadiyar

Delhi Ganesh- Chinna Velalar

K.R.Vijaya-Sembian Madhevi

Shaam-Madhurandhaka Chozhar

Neetu Chandra-Vanathi

Saranya Mohan-Poonguzhali

Thambi Ramayya- Azhwarkkadiyan

Siakumar-Sundara Chozhar

Technical Crew:

Music- None other than Ilayaraja

Cinematography-P.C.Sriram/Santhosh Sivan/K.V.Anand

Art-Thotta Tharani/Sabu siril

Editing-Anthony/Lenin-V.T.Vijayan

Lyrics-Thamarai (For her expertise in ancient Tamil and also because Vairamuthu will not work with Raja)

Dialogues-Jayamohan (Since it is already confirmed).

Story, Screenplay and Direction-Mani Ratnam

Hope my wish list coincides with the final cast and crew that goes for the shoots. Waiting with bated breath to see one of the most beautiful novels ever written in Tamil, unfold in silver screen with the work of the magic hands of the Master-Craftsman.

My best wishes to each and everyone associated with the project.