RAVI MARAZ, who has made his name directing local Tamil telefilms and musical programmes, has now moved on to big-screen ventures with the release of the first film produced by his company, D Cinema Maraz Sdn Bhd, in cinemas tomorrow.
Thandhava is a crime thriller with a plot that is likely to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
The story is about a professor who dreams of setting up his own college. Suddenly, out of the blue, his young daughter is kidnapped but it is not money that her abductors want.
The film’s cast boasts some 60 Malaysian artistes, comprising both popular stars and newcomers. Among them are Dinesh Kumar, K.K. Khana, Denesh, Rathna Gowri, M.K., Kishore and Shela Khan.
Thandhava also features a total of 15 songs, rendered by popular local singers like M.K., Villanz, Rabbit Mac, K.K. Khana and Daddy Shaqunder. The music of MC Vkey and Tactmatic is also featured in the film.
Thandhava is directed by Vassan Kumaran, who is making his directorial debut.
A well-known choreographer and rapper, Vassan, 30, says the movie highlights the fact that having too much money and power can corrupt a person.
He says he used different camera angles and techniques to present this particular story.
“You are bound to see something different in Thandhava,” he promises.
According to Ravi, this is the first Malaysian movie to be shot using the Qube Digital Cinemascope, which involves the use of cameras as well as computer technology.
He claims that this particular technology had brought down the production cost for his movie tremendously, pointing out that Thandhava was made on a budget of just RM200,000.
“I’m willing to share my experience in using this technology with other filmmakers and show them how it can contribute to bringing their production costs down,” he says.
Ravi, 40, has been involved in the local Tamil entertainment industry for more than 20 years as director, producer and cameraman.
He is also responsible for unearthing several new talents.
While Thandhava is his first attempt at producing a Tamil film for the big screen, Ravi hopes to direct and produce Malay and English films in future.
Thandhava almost didn’t manage to get screen time in the cinema circuit when Ravi failed to get the green light from the Malaysian Censorship Board.
“It [the board] found my movie too violent,” Ravi says, adding that he appealed to the board.
“I told the board members that my movie actually carries the message that crime doesn’t pay. Fortunately, they gave clearance [for it to be shown].”
However, the board rated the movie PG-13 for its violent elements.
Asked if the film will receive favourable response from Malaysians, director Vassan says: “I think the support for local Tamil films is slowly growing.
“Of course, if the local film industry is to grow bigger, we need more support.”
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