This is not another whinge about remakes. We know and have accepted that they are here to stay and we love many of them; Nanban is good enough proof that remakes can hit the jackpot. But, definitely, it is not as big a challenge to a film maker as an original script being made for the first time. What is it about the season that warrant another discussion about remakes? The reason is simple; even the best film makers of our times are showing tendencies to go for remakes. When the most creative minds in the film industry start recycling ideas, it is not a comfortable feeling as a viewer.
Case in point: Nanban. It is an absolutely fabulous movie. No doubt, it had to come to Tamil cinema. But, lets face it; its nothing more than a frame to frame rework of 3 Idiots. The actors have done their job exceedingly well, the technical departments have excelled and the original script has guaranteed us a cracker of a movie. But, did we need Shankar to helm this project? Of course, his presence might have brought some visual perfection and other aspects into the film. But, his creative inputs as a director and script writer is precious little. He can claim only the dialogues as his work! The man, who for almost 20 years, gave film after film that raised every benchmark in Tamil cinema and later for Indian cinema, through a work of pure genius in Endhiran, need not have accommodated himself for a remake. The 15 months or so spent by Shankar on Nanban would have been far more beneficial to Tamil cinema had they been devoted towards another ground breaking original work by the master craftsman. Watching Shankar’s name as the director of Nanban is like watching Sachin play a Ranji trophy game. He might score a century, but he belongs to another level. But all apart; Shankar is still the best director we can think of and it is understandable that after 20 years of toiling with films that are difficult to execute, he wanted to make a film that was colourful and light hearted. Let’s hope he gets back to his ground breaking ways soon. Even Martin Scorcese made a remake; this might that one occasion for Shankar.
But, its not just Shankar! Other top film makers like Gautham Menon are also showing the same tendencies. Actually, Gautham Menon makes Tamil movie buff feel even more uneasy. Why? Because he is remaking his own films! A director who had the gumption to make movies like Vaaranum Aayiram and Nadunissi Naaygal, produced Azhagarsaamiyin Kuthirai; need not settle for a remake, however tempting the stakes. One cannot imagine the challenges that such a talented craftsman might face while remaking VTV as Ekk Deewana Tha. And, even more worrisome is the news that he intends to take Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu up North. Let them be taken up North by all means! But, why do you have to go along? If at all you want to go, make something original, something new, that we will all be proud of. There are lesser directors who can make faithful remakes; why waste your energies and precious years. Of course, we have Nee Thaane En Ponvasantham and Yohaan waiting. Lets hope they take precedence over all else.
The idea is simple. Remakes are a good and safe way of ensuring a certain amount of success. But, directors who have blazed trails with their originality and execution need not settle for what is safe. We have admired them for their originality and that’s what we want to see more of.
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