Mestry (Telegu, 2009)
May 25th
Story of a retired military officer who comes in search of his mysteriously dead colleague. In the process of his search he finds that the men behind his colleague’s death were the most powerful men – men who were almost respected like God. He had to battle all alone to expose the whole truth – at the risk of his own life. once a battle in the warfield now a battle in society.
Interview with Sureshkrissna (www.telugucinema.com)
Mar 24th
Suresh Krissna is one director who directed films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi (He even supervised the direction of a Kannada film recently.), thus holding the credit for a rare feat as a film director. As his latest film Mesthri is gearing up for release, I tried to get in touch with him in his residence at Chennai, but I learnt he was shuttling between Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore. Luckily, I caught hold of him in Hyderabad with the help of a friend and spoke to him for a brief interview, exclusively presented to TeluguCinema.Com readers:
Sri: Tell me about your background.
Suresh Krissna: I am originally from Mumbai. My parents belong to Palghat, Kerala and my mother tongue is Tamil. Due to all this varied background, I knew Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam even before coming to filmdom. After coming into films, I became fluent in Telugu too. I learnt Kannada when we were doing plays …and an assistant of mine is now doing a Kannada film for which I am providing the story, screenplay, and also direction supervision; I couldn’t direct the film myself completely as I was busy with Mesthri and a Tamil film. …I did my schooling from General Education Academy, Chembur, Mumbai. I then completed my B.Com (Hons.) from University of Bombay, but I didn’t know what to do next. I did not want to be a Charted Accountant like my brother and wanted to do something different. At that time, one of my friends, Mr. K.R. Parmeshwar by name, offered me to assist him in the stage plays he directed. I worked with him back-stage for various plays in Tamil, Marathi, Kannada, and Gujarati while also doing a diploma course in Natya Academy affiliated to UNESCO Paris learning theater. I got a job as an accountant in Sri L.V. Prasad’s distribution office at Mumbai at that time, and I worked there for a year as an Accountant. When Dasari gaaru was doing the film Yah Kaise Insaaf (Hindi version of Idekkadi Nyaayam?), I jumped in to assist him as they needed someone fluent in both Tamil and Hindi. That was my first brush with film directon.
After that, L.V. gaaru got the rights of Maro Charitra and I joined K. Balachander gaaru as an assistant for that film and I continued to work with him for the next seven years. Some of the notable films I worked under him are Ek Duje Ke Liye, Sindhu Bhairavi, Acchammillai Acchammillai, Punnagai Mannan, Agni Saatchi, Zaraa Si Zindagi, Kokilamma, Sundara Swapnagalu, Kalyana Agathigal, Rudraveena, and more. As you know, Kamal worked with K.Balachander sir for many films and he knew me well too, and thus offered me Satya a remake of Arjun. I did that film and it became a good hit.
Sri: Satya was a remake but I think you did your own verson of it without repeating the original version frame to frame. Yeah, coming to your working with Kamal, you did three films with him – Satya, Indrudu-Chandrudu and Abhay, the first two being hits and the latter a flop. It’s rumored that Kamal interferes a lot in direction. Comment please?
Suresh Krissna: Yeah, for Satya we took only basic theme from the original and worked on it. …Abhay flopped as far as business matters but, to me, it’s always a special film because Kamal did a fantasistic job as usual. It is technically one of the best films in Indian cinema and had a script concept that was way ahead of its time! Many a time, over-expectations cause disappointment. To be honest, Kamal interfering with direction is not at all true! It all depends on which way of the coin you look at. He’s definitely more experienced than any of us. If he feels something can be done better, he suggests that to the director. Though he is such a great actor and director, he works on the sets like an assistant director even today helping people.
Sri: How did you manage tummy shots of Kamal in Indrudu-Chandrudu for the role of Mayor Rayudu where does he gets a massage from the character Veena. The tummy looked so real then!
Suresh Krissna: The credit should go to the cameraman P.S. Prakash who did the job so brilliantly. We used mask shots for that scene as we did not have graphics or other such technical resources back then.
Sri: You worked for three films on Suresh banner (Prema, Indrudu-Chandrudu, Dharma Chakram), and Venkatesh won the Nandi Award for Best Male Actor for both the films you directed him (Prema, Dharma Chakram).But then, why is there no film after that?
Suresh Krissna: There isn’t any problem really, but the right kind of script didn’t come our way to do another film. If we do a third film together, people would expect a lot out of it. Venky and Ramanaidu gaaru always wanted to do another film if I have a good script that suits Venkatesh. When I met Ramanaidu gaaru last week at the audio release of Mesthri too, he was saying that we should be work together for a good film. …This is what’s happening with Kamal or Rajini sir too, in fact!
Sri: Speaking of Rajini, you did three films with him – Annamalai, Basha, and Baba. Again, the former two were super hits, and the latter was a disaster! What went wrong with Baba, which I see as a good film that was close to Rajini’s real-life personality?
Suresh Krissna: First thing I’d want to clarify is that Baba was a not disaster but was a super hit film! The film was made under 10 crores and collected between 25-30 crores. At that time, the government permitted raising the ticket rates during the initial days of film’s release, and the tickets went up rates as high as Rs. 500/- to Rs. 2000/- in most areas! The film collected more than the complete run of Annamalai in just three weeks because of this! Also, it opened with maximum number of prints. The reason people say it was a disaster because they over-expected the run and bought the film at a very high price. When they didn’t get that much money, they said it’s a flop, though it wasn’t. As you said, Baba was a good film with story and screenplay by Rajini and is thus definetly close to his heart.
Sri: And, Basha was a free-make of Amitabh’s Hum! I also heard that the film was plannd to have a linear narration first but that Rajinikant and fight master Vijayan suggested that the flashback episode should come later. Is that true?
Suresh Krissna: I agree that Basha had shades of Hum, and that the film was definetly inspired by Hum but had a completely different treatment. Basha went on to become such a huge success that every hero wanted to do a clone of it, and that trend is still continuing even now! Rajini and Vijayan suggesting the flashback episode is not true. The film’s basic plot starts with Rajini going to get a seat in the Medical College for his sister. From there on, the film tempo starts off and that was how we planned it originally too.
Sri: Why do you take such long gaps between your films?
Suresh Krissna: I usually prefer to take a break after each film. I work in various languages – Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, and now in Kannada too – and thus, in each language, it looks like I take a really long gap while I am actually not.
Sri: You did with top stars like Rajini, Kamal, Mohanlal, and Chiranjeevi in South India, but it seems like you didn’t concentrate so much in Bollywood. Given a chance, who do you like to work with in Hindi?
Suresh Krissna: I did three Hindi films and each one took more than a year to complete. Thus, I am not really comfortable working in Hindi, but if I get a chance, I’ll definetly like to do a film with Amit-ji – it will be a dream come true for me! Whenever I am directing a top star, I think about Amitabh-ji in my mind. Rajini and Kamal always tease me on this!
Sri: Coming to your current film Mesthri, how did you feel while directing the Guinness record-holder director-actor Dasari Narayana Rao gaaru? As the producer and story-writer of the film too, what’s his level of interference or involvement in the film’s shoot?
Suresh Krissna: He never interfered at all, and in fact, he left all that to me. He gave me complete freedom at hand as he very well knew how I worked. He once said in a meeting too that I did Baba and Aahaa! simultaneously, though both films had a lot different variations and entirely different subjects!…
Sri: How did you make Dasari gaaru lose weight?
Suresh Krissna: I have nothing do with it! He had a gall bladder problem and went through an operation and followed a strict diet, which made him lose around 20 kg…
Sri: Dasari gaaru and you say that the film’s plot is not based in politics, but when I listened to the songs, they were full of political statements…!
Suresh Krissna: That there’s a touch of poltics in the film is true. It’s only a part of the subject and is not the whole subject by itself! The film is a journey of a man who sees politics in his life as we do but not a complete life full of politics.
Sri: Your sister Shanti Krissnan was a popular herione in Tamil and Malayalam in the early ’80s. Where is she now?
Suresh Krissna: She is settled in the USA after she married Mr. Bajore, a big businessman. She was a very popular Bharatanatyam dancer too at that time, having given about 500 dance performances worldwide.
Sri: What do you feel as the important element of a film?
Suresh Krissna: What else but the script! It is the heart and soul of any film, I believe.
Sri: What are your plans next?
Suresh Krissna: My Tamil film with Bharat and Priyamani in the lead releases in April, and the Kannada film would release in May. I have not yet decided what language I’d work after that and what film. I will take a short break and work again, I believe.
Interview: Sri Atluri
Edited by: NaChaKi
Original URL: http://www.telugucinema.com/c/publish/stars/interview_sureshkrissna_2009.php
Parattai Yengira Azhagu Sundaram
Jul 5th
Parattai Yengira Azhagu Sundaram
Starring Dhanush, Meera Jasmine, Archana.
Music by Yuvan Shankar Raja
Cinematography – Velraj
Art Director – Magie
Dialogues – Kannan
Holding sway with formula films
Aug 23rd
The Hindu – Aug 14, 2002
Fast and racy, Suresh Krissna’s films have entertained cine-goers with their big budget fantasies and stylish picturisation. The director shares some of his thoughts about his fourth Rajni film, “Baba”.
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/08/14/stories/2002081400280200.htm
Biding time to be in limelight again
Jul 14th
News Today
A safe bet in Kollywood for years, director Suresh Krissna has several hit films to his credits that starred star actors like Rajnikanth and Kamal Haasan. Suresh Krissna started his film sojourn with Sathya (1988) starring Kamal Haasan wherein the versatile actor donned the role of a violent youth.
From then on, the director came out with movies one after another which went on to become big hits at the box office. Some of his popular films include Raja Kayai Vecha, Annamalai, Vedan, Baasha, Alavandhan and Sangamam among others.
Presently, busy at a Hindi movie shoot in Mumbai, Suresh Krissna shares his thoughts about his rise to fame in filmdom and his future plans in the industry.
Q: Tell us about your present Hindi venture?
A: My Hindi movie is titled Rocky and it stars Zayed Khan in the lead role. Isha Sharwani plays the heroine while music is being scored by Himesh Reshmaiya. The movie is being shot in Mumbai and London. After completing this movie, I will be directing veteran Tollywood actor Mohanbabu’s son Vishnu for a Telugu movie.
Q: Why are you not directing Tamil films of late?
A: I purposely take brief intervals. After my success in Sathya, it took a couple of years for me to begin my next movie (Raja Kayai Vecha). There was enough gap between Annamalai and Basha. I am not in a hurry to do movies. I do only films which would have some substance in it.
Q: What is your favourite among your films?
A: I always keep Aa ha close to my heart. It was a movie starring newcomers in the lead role and had dialogues by ‘Crazy’ Mohan. The hilarious movie was a wholesome entertainer which I like the most.
Q: Your opinion on film directors venturing to small screen?
A: There is no wrong in venturing into small screen. It is again a powerful medium and has got a target audience.
Q: How’s the experiences working with Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth?
A: I have worked in more than couple of movies with Rajnikanth and Kamal Haasan. They are dedicated artistes who strive for perfection in their films. Working with them was fun as well as learning experience.
M BHARAT KUMAR
The University called K Balachander
Jul 14th
The Rediff Interview
Suresh Krissna is a popular name in South Indian cinema. He has directed top stars like Kamal Haasan, Rajnikanth, Chiranjeevi, Revathi and Salman Khan, as well as upcoming actors in films made in all four South Indian languages as well as Hindi.
His latest, the Telugu film Asthram, is due for release on June 30. He is also doing a Hindi film after 14 years — Rocky, starring Zayed Khan, Minissha Lamba and Isha Sharwani.
rediff.com caught up with the master director to find out more. Excerpts:
Going by the title, does Asthram have something to do with weapons and violence?
As the title suggests, it deals not only with weapons in its literal term, but also about how each individual unleashes the weapon inside him — anger, courage, revenge, sacrifice.
The rumour is it is based on a Hindi film. If so, how has it been adapted for the Telugu audience?
The correct word would be ‘inspired’, as it has from various films. One may find shades from not only a Hindi film but also from some English and even Tamil films. The attempt is to make a successful film.
What are your creative inputs in this film scripted by the Parachuri Brothers?
The film has a joint screenplay between the Parachuri brothers and I. There have been lots of inputs from each side. I believe in teamwork completely.
How did you choose Jackie Shroff to play the role of a Carnatic singer?
Strangely, the day we planned the script, I suggested Jackie’s name for the role, but everybody pooh-poohed me and we tried other actors from the South. When the shooting schedule was approaching and we had still not finalised the actor, I was asked again. I mentioned Jackie’s name once more, and everyone decided to give him a try. I met him in Mumbai through a common friend and, when I described the character, he agreed immediately. He has given an amazing performance. More than anything, he is a great human being. I would love to work with him again.
You normally direct big stars. How was it directing Vishnu Babu and Anushka for a change?
Over my career of nearly 20 years and after about 34 films, I have worked with big stars and upcoming ones too. When I did Prema with Venkatesh, he was an upcoming actor. Likewise, I worked with young actors in some Tamil and Telugu films. I have never wanted to brand myself into a particular category, which is why I tried comedy, romance, action films, musicals, etc. But when films like Baasha (with Rajnikanth), Master, Indrudu Chandrudu (with Kamal Haasan) became big hits, I came to be known as a big star director. Even though there is lot of fame and money in big films, there is always creative satisfaction working with youngsters.
I knew Vishnu well as a young boy, when I directed his father Mohanbabu in Rayalaseema Ramanna Choudhry. He is talented and obedient — a surprise package in Asthram. Anushka is a beautiful, friendly person. We had a great time working together. One of the main aspects of working with youngsters is their tremendous energy and enthusiasm.
What, according to you, is the film’s USP?
It is a fast-paced entertainer — a film about how each person reacts to a particular dramatic situation.
You are directing Rocky in Hindi starring Zayed Khan. Why did you choose it?
I re-made Prema (called Love) in Hindi with Salman Khan and Revathi and also directed Jaagruti with Salman Khan and Karisma Kapoor. Rocky is the story of a man who reacts to all the hypocrisy and nonsense around and how the people, in turn, react with their laidback attitude. To prove his point, Rocky has many hurdles to cross. When I narrated the script, Zayed liked the screenplay — it is non-linear storytelling. The producers Shyam Bajaj and Naren Bajaj (who, incidentally, had produced Love) were also impressed. Himesh Reshammiya sets the score to Sameer’s lyrics. The cinematography is by Raja, Janak Hriday has written the dialogues and the film is edited by Sanjoy.
You have worked in all four major South Indian languages as well as Hindi. How comfortable are you working in different languages?
I was born and bought up in Mumbai. I received my B.Com from the University of Bombay. Even though my mother tongue is Tamil, my parents are from Palghat in Kerala. So, I can understand Malayalam as well. Having done Telugu cinema, I can speak Telugu fluently and can understand Kannada too. I am comfortable with all languages. I want to direct films in Bengali, Marathi, Bhojpuri, Gujarati and even French and English!
What do you look for when you take on a directorial venture?
First and foremost, the script – that is the soul of the film.
Do you have any desires regarding the kind of films you want to make, or stars you want to work with?
I have been discussing a few subjects in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi too. I have always wanted to work with Amitabh Bachchan, as I grew up on his films.
How did you learn the craft of filmmaking?
From the university called K Balachander. I worked with him for seven years on 14 films in various languages. All I know of cinema is purely his blessings.
Do you like cinema for entertainment or cinema with a message?
It is a mix of both, but the bottom line should be entertainment — a message wherever possible, without underlining it too much, unless you have taken a subject predominantly to convey a message. Rang De Basanti is a classic example of entertainment with a message.
About Suresh
Jun 24th
Suresh Krissna was born in Bombay on 25th June.
Education
His primary and secondary school education was in Chembur, Bombay. After graduating in B.Com (Hons) from University of Bombay, he went on learn Dramatic Arts from the Natya Academy, Bombay (affiliated to UNESCO, Paris), from where he holds a diploma degree.
Initial years in the world of Theatre
Suresh Krissna started as a back-stage manager and assistant director in various plays under renowned Director K.R. Parmeshwar. The plays spanned various languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Sindhi, Tamil and Gujarati, performed mainly in Bombay.
He then went on to work as an accountant in Prasad Productions Pvt. Ltd, also in Bombay.
A year later, he joined as an Assistant Director to the legendary Shri.L.V.Prasad. His tenure with Shri. L.V. Prasad lasted about a year, during which, he had an opportunity to work as Assistant Director to another iconic Director Shri. Dasari Narayana Rao, in a Hindi film, Yeh Kaisa Insaaf starring Shabana Azmi, Vinod Mehra, and Sarika.
Turning point on the journey!
In many ways, association with Shri. L.V. Prasad paved way for the historic duo in later years, between Suresh Krissna and veteran guru, Director K. Balachander. It all started with Ek Duuje Ke Liye in Shri. L.V.Prasad’s office. A movie, which, went on become a super duper success led to the planning of many more hindi films. With that, the transition from Bombay to Madras happened.
The journey before ‘now’….
In the 7 years stint working with K.Balachander in all his Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada films, Suresh Krissna saw himself promoted from the 5th assistant director to became THE Associate Director, a position quite envied in the industry!
Some of the notable films are Ek Duuje Ke Liye, Sindhu Bhairavi, Acchammillai Acchammillai, Punnagai Mannan, Agni Satchi, Zara Si Zindagi, Kokillamma, Sundara Swampnagalu, Kalyana Agathigal, Rudra Veena etc.
The journey of ‘now’…. as a Director
In the year 1986, came the first break in Direction for Suresh Krissna in Sathya, produced and acted by Padmashri Kamal Haasan. The last twenty years from 1986 – 2006 have taken him through a very rich and rewarding career with some of the giant actors, directors and technicians in the industry. He submits his life and successful career in the guided hands of his spiritual guru, grace of God and his ever-loving family.
Rocky (Hindi, 2005/06)
Jun 24th
Started in the middle of 2005 got delayed and was finally released in November end. It starred Zayed Khan, Isha Shrawani , Minisha Lamba, Rajath Bedi, Sarath Babu, Smita Jaykar.
Music by Himesh Reshmayya was a big hit.
It is about the revival of an angry young man played by Zayed who gave a brilliant performance.
The producers were Shyam Bajaj and Narendra Bajaj who were also my producers for Love 14 years ago. Life’s pre-determined moments….Haha!
Asthram (Telugu, 2005/06)
Jun 24th
Shooting for this film started in late 2005 and got released in July 2006. It starred the son of Shri. Mohanbabu, Vishnu. It was produced by the acclaimed audio-man, Raju Hirwani and music by S.A. Rajkumar.
This film was inspired by a Hindi film, Sarfarosh. Jackie Shroff played a brilliant cameo for the first time in Telugu.
words of wisdom 61
Apr 13th
The first thing to be understood about happiness is
that it cannot be practiced. It has only to be
allowed, because it is not something that you create.
Whatsoever you create is going to remain something
smaller than ou, tinier than you. What you create
cnnot be bigger than you.
The painting cannot be bigger than the painter himself
and the poetry cannot be bigger than the poet. Your
song is bound to something smaller than you.
If you practice happiness you will be always there at
the back, with all you stupidities, with all your
egotrips, with all your ignorance, with all your chaos
of the mind. With the chaotic mind you canot create a
cosmos, you cannot create grace. Grace always
descends from the beyond; it has to be received as a
gift in tremendous trust, in total surrender. In a
state of let-go true happiness happens.
But we have been told to achieve, to be ambitious.
Our mind has been cultivated to be that of an
achiever. Our education, culture, religion , they all
depend on this basic idea that man has to be
smbitious, only the ambitious man will be able to
attain fulfillment. It has never happened, it will
never happen, but so deep is the ignorance that we go
on believing in this nonsense.
No ambitious person has even been happy; in fact, the
ambitious person is the unhappiest in the world. But
we go on training to be ambitious: ” Be the first, be
at the top, and you will be happy!” And have you ever
seen anybody at the top and happy at the same time?
Was Alexander the Great happy when he became a world
conqueror? He ws one of the unhappiest men who has
ever lived on the earth.
Diogenes was a beggar; he had nothing, not even a
begging bowl. At least Buddhe had a begging bowl with
him and three robes. Diogenes was naked – and wih no
begging bowl. He was going to the river one day with
his begging bowl. He was thristy, it was hot, and he
wanted to drink water. And then on the way, just when
he was on the bank, a dog passed by him, running,
panting, jumped into the river, had a good bath and
drank to his heart’s content. The idea arose in
Diogene’s mind: “This dog is freer than me – he does
not have to carry a begging bow. And if he can
manage, why can’t I manage without a begging bowl?
This is my only possession, and I have to keep an eye
on it because it can be stolen. Even in the night
once or twice I have to feel whether it is still there
or gone.” He threw the begging bowl into the river,
bowed to the dog, thanked him for the great message
that he had brought for him from existence.
This man, who had nothing, created jealousy in
Alexander’s mind. How miserable he must have been! He
confessed to Diogenes, “If ever again God give me
birth, I will ask him ‘This time please don’t make me
Alexander – make me Diogenes.”
Diogenes laughed uproariously and he called the
dog-because they had become friends by now, they had
started living together – he called the dog and he
said ” Look listen, what nonsense he is talking about!
Next life he wants to be Diogenes! What next life? Why
postpone? Who knows about the next life? Even the next
day is uncertain, the next moment is not certain- what
to say about the next life! If you really want to be a
Diogenes, you can be one right this moment, here now.
Throw your clothes into the river and forget about
conquering the world! That is sheer stupidity and you
know it.
“And you have confessed that you are miserable, you
have confessed tht Diogenes is in a far better, more
blissful state. So why not be a Diogenes right now?
Lie down on the bank of the river where I am taking
subath! This bank is big enough for both of us.”
Alexander could not accept the invitation, of course.
He said”Thank you for your invitation. Right now I
cannot do it, but next life..”
Dioegenes asked him “Where are you going? And what
will you do even if you have conquered the world?”
Alexander said ” Then I will rest.”
Diogenes said ” This seems absolutely absurd – becase
I am resting right now!”
If Alexander is not happy, if Adol Hitler is not
happy, if Rockefellers and Carnegies are not happy -
the people who have all he money of the world, if they
are not happy – just watch people who have succeeded
in the world and you will drop the idea of success.
Nothing fails like success. Although you have been
told that nothing succeeds like success, I say to you
nothing fails like success.
Happiness has nothing to do wih success. Happiness
has nothing to do with ambition, happiness has nothing
to do with money, power, prestige. It is a totally
differnt dimension. Happiness has something to do
with your consciousness, not with your character .
Let me remind you – character is not you, it is
something you have cultivated. You can becomes a
saint, and still you will not be happy if your
sainthood is nothing but a practiced sainthood. And
thats how people become saint. Catholics, Jains,
Hindus – how do they become saints? They practice
inch by inch, in detail, when to get up, what to eat,
what not to eat, when to go to bed….