The film Naan Kadavul (2009) by Bala is still an iconic movie, with its exposure to the dark places of life being uncooked and gritty. With an iconic score and a break-defining role of the award-winning Arya, this movie is in the minds of Tamil film lovers. So, we should get to know some interesting facts about this interesting masterpiece.
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The Seed of an Idea: From “Anbe Sivam” to “Naan Kadavul”
The seed of Naan Kadavul has been sown way back in Sundar C (2003), where there is one highlight in his film. That proves the love that one gives to others without expecting anything is God, which is the moving words that were the initial spark in the vision of Bala. This play of thought grew to the crude, primitive of Naan Kadavul.
Literary Roots: Jayamohan’s “Eezham Ulagam“
Bala’s cinematic adaptation found its foundation in Jayamohan’s novel, ‘Eezham Ulagam.’ Jayamohan not only provided the source material but also penned the film’s powerful dialogues, ensuring a faithful and impactful translation of the novel’s essence to the screen.
Bala: A Director of Substance and Acclaim
Bala, the director who capacity in bringing out life in the lives of simple people with incredible essence, presented his fourth directorial project in the film Naan Kadavul. He is a director whose films are the ones that actors want to feature in, in an attempt to establish their merits. Naan Kadavul was also a landmark in the career of Bala, as the film won him the first National Award for Best Director.
The Ajith Kumar Controversy: A Rocky Start
In the case of Naan Kadavul, the film started its development in 2004 with Ajith Kumar originally doing the lead role. A.M. Ratnam was the producer, and Ajith had allotted 150 days time to the film. This was, however, marred by delays that prompted Ajith to leave. There were rumors of a fracas between Bala and Ajith in which some sources opined that there was a physical fight and also an instance of a gun threat being made.
Arya’s Transformation: Stepping into Rudran’s Shoes
Narain was also in the fray to replace Ajith as Rudran, but this was never realized. Arya who is mainly a romantic artist, finally took the challenge. His performance in Naan Kadavul was an indication of his versatility as well as his ability to perform; surprisingly, he was not awarded majorly.
Pooja’s Triumph: The Heroine’s Journey
The selection of the female protagonist was stormy. At first, Gopika was to play the role, then Meera Jasmine and Bhavana (who even had a photoshoot). Other actresses who were looked at were Anjali, Parvathy, Neetu Chandra, and Karthika. Pooja eventually got the role and produced a brilliant performance, winning her Filmfare Award as the Best Actress. Even Balaji Bala himself commended on the acting part of Pooja, calling her one of his favorite actresses to work with.
Ilayaraja’s Soulful Score: The Heart of the Film
What gave life to ‘Naan Kadavul’ was the music that was on it composed by the genius Ilayaraja. His evocative score contributed to the emotionality of the movie, and it sounded the emotional charge of every situation. Another eminent composer, Ilayaraja, has also contributed his voice to the very heart-touching song, Pichai Pattharam.
Rajendran: The Unforgettable Antagonist
The name ‘Naan Kadavul’ instantly conjures the image of Rajendran, the film’s menacing villain. Having worked as a stuntman and previously noticed by Bala in ‘Pithamagan,’ Rajendran delivered a chilling performance that left a lasting impact.
A Labor of Love: From 2004 to 2009
Originally commenced in the year 2004 and released only in the year 2009, Naan Kadavul went through multiple burdens to emerge as a critical and commercial success story. The effort made by the whole staff to take it up since its conception to release speaks about the devotion and zeal of the whole crew. What film of Bala do you feel best touches you? Leave your comments below!
