Tamil Director Gautham Menon On His Film On Child Rape For the Paava Kadhaigal Anthology.

Your film Vaanmagal  for  the Paava Kadhaigal anthology shows  the parents  of  a child rape victim  contemplating the child’s murder. Isn’t that far-fetched?

Well there are fathers and mothers who kill their own daughters because she eloped with somebody from a lower caste to uphold their honour. Similarly here  for their  honour  this horrible thought comes up,though here is a story of a mother who didn’t kill her  child. 

Why would a progressive loving mother think of pushing the child off  a cliff?

The thought went through her just like we all have negative thoughts but we never cross a line . All for honour. But she never will and she realises she has to let her daughter   fly metaphorically and not literally in  life.

You also play  the father in your film. I’ve seen  you   in several  film in front of the camera  lately. Is acting a parallel career  for you now?

 Not exactly. If I’m confident about a director and aspire to be around a bigger director I don’t mind acting in their films at all .It’s a window opening for sure. I directed  myself for  the  first time  in Vaanmagal. In my own direction it’s tricky. But this one I sailed through I think. Making Vaanmagal has been a learning experience for me and getting to direct my own self was something completely new that I did for this project. It is an incredibly moving story that made it even more intense to capture in a short film format. A lot of people will connect to this story and feel for the family and their tribulations.”

 What are  you shooting now?

 I’m filming a feature film called Joshua It’s a mindless action film  with new actors.A new boy called Varun and a girl who’s name is Rahei.

You’ve shot quite  a lot during the  Covid crisis?

Yes, one for Amazon, two for Netflix, and one more anthology which will release when theatres open here fully .It is interesting to shoot  during the pandemic. New norm. Much faster work. With lesser people in the cast and crew.We try to do our best.