SP Charan recalls Kamal’s help to release ‘Aranya Kandam’

Producer SBP Charan talks about Kamal Haasan’s timely help to release ‘Aranya Kandam’. Directed by Thiagarajan Kumararaja, Aaranya Kaandam made the headlines after CBFC recommended 52 cuts for the film and gave an A Certificate back in 2011. It is one of the first films of Tamil cinema to be of a noir genre. While it did not fetch profit at the Box Office, one can bet that it was a game-changer, as many young filmmakers started experimenting with different genres after Aaranya Kaandam.  Bankrolled by Charan’s Capital Film Works, the film features critically acclaimed musical score by Yuvan Shankar Raja and cinematography by P.S.Vinod and editing handled by the duo Praveen K L and NB Srikanth. The film bagged two National Awards for best Cinematography and best debutant director.

SBP’s son SP Charan, who recently attended a concert called Kamal and Me, spoke about Kamal’s help to release ‘Aranya Kandam’.The final cut of Aaranya Kaandam was somewhere close to 123 minutes, before it rubbed the Censor Board the wrong side. We were suggested 56 cuts! The authorities had asked both Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth to obtain a no-objection certificate called NOC for a dialogue featured in the film.

SP Charan revealed, “We did not first tell Kamal about the certification details. When the filming was completed and invited him Kamal Haasan to come and watch the film and he congratulated after watching the film. ‘This is how I wanted to a film to be. Don’t hesitate to use foul invective language if it is essential for a violent story. This is the new beginning of Tamil cinema ‘, he praised all of us. He further added, ‘Guru Somasundaram, who starred in the film, was referring to everyone as Master Vasant. Then we reluctantly told him about this barrier certificate details. Asked why.  I can come and talk to anyone. He also gave his full support to Rajini’s request.’