Direction Dreams: Yuvan read our minds 

An interview with Prabu D

Directors worked with: Lingusaamy, Anis

Key Responsibilities: Handled multiple responsibilities during production

Films worked/working on: Thirumanam Ennum Nikkah, Sandakozhi 2, Untitled Allu Arjun project 

Why filmmaking? How did the journey commence?

During my school days I used to watch a lot of films. Films like Run and Kaaka Kaaka gave me the inspiration to write stories for school plays. My passion for visually narrating a story grew from there and that passion led me here.

What do you like about the directors with whom you have worked?

Lingusaamy does not walk over anyone's opinion. If anyone who's working with him has an opinion about a scene, he hears them out, and if he disagrees, he patiently convinces them of his point of view. Also, he will not commencing filming a sequence until he is satisfied the reason he provided has convinced everyone.

What is the one thing that you've learnt from the directors you have worked with?

I've learned the importance of doing the proper groundwork. Research and homework are necessary to avoid glaring loopholes and mistakes.

Who’s a director you wish you could work with?

I'd love to work with Shankar, Gautham Vasusdev Menon and Mani Rathnam

Which is the best film you’ve worked on so far?

Sandakozhi 2. When working on it, I took on responsibilities and risks on my own without being dependent on anyone.

What’s the oddest thing you have seen or done as an AD?

I went to the recording studio once to request a tune from Yuvan Shankar Raja. We briefed him only about the soul and the template required. We didn't any mention specifics about the tune required despite having a fair idea of how we wanted it to turn out. He composed it in just a few minutes and it matched the one we had in mind. It was like he could read our minds.

What do you like to introduce to Tamil cinema if given an opportunity to direct?

I'd like to release a film directly on Netflix. I feel that this platform is still unexplored. Though, the trend of having a theatrical release first and then releasing on the digital platform is growing, there are so many small films which do not get a theatrical release. And even if they do, they end up being a loss to the distributor. So I think it's time to explore the Netflix original film approach.

Debut films are often the result of compromises. What’s one area you will never to compromise on? And what’s one area you don’t mind compromising on?

I guess compromise is often looked upon as disadvantage. But I think it's a challenge, which makes the whole process interesting. You're not going to have access to all resources always. So one should always be able to find a way to make things work with what is available. 

What are your future scripts and projects?

I'm working on the script of a thriller.