Radha Mohan: I feel pressured to create feel-good films
Director Radha Mohan is known for creating films that strike a chord with the audience and for their relatable characters. After dabbling in a romantic thriller film (Bommai) last year, the filmmaker is back to familiar grounds with a comedy series titled Chutney Sambar, starring Yogi Babu in the lead. While a feel-good comedy is a game that he has already played many times in his career be it his debut film Azhagiya Theeye (2004), Mozhi (2007), Abhiyum Naanum (2008) or Kaatrin Mozhi (2018), one wonders if he equates making Chutney Sambar to a homecoming and he answers, “It is a pressure. When I want to try something different, I would be advised to make feel-good films as that is what they expect from me. Nevertheless, I try to experiment with my stories. It has sometimes worked and at other times, it hasn’t. I only see them as a part of a learning process.”
Although Radha Mohan has previously worked on the Zee5 film Malaysia To Amnesia (2021), Chutney Sambar marks his series debut. Sharing his experience writing for the long form, he explains, “It was a great learning experience. At the same time, it was challenging as well. After making several films over the years, creating a web series needed a separate screenplay and the introduction of multiple characters. Apart from that, we need to keep a hook point to end it.” And he points out that there is a stark difference in the way both films and OTT series are approached. “Earlier, when we shoot a film, we watch it on the monitor and wonder how it would look on the big screen. Now, we would have to keep the smartphone and its screen in mind while creating content. It requires, us as filmmakers, to alter our mindsets.”
Cognizant of the evolution of storytelling in the last few decades, Radha Mohan notes, “It is important to be observant of what is happening around us and how the youth are expressing their emotions, which adds another layer of challenge. If you hold onto your ego on working in the industry for several years and don’t learn through the years, your career will become stagnant." His actors Myna Nandhini and Chandran both agree with this sentiment.
Chutney Sambar is set in Ooty and holds a family drama at its core. This gives it an edge over other series, says Myna Nandhini. “When we think of a web series set in Ooty, the audience automatically believes that it would be grim or violent, but that is not the case in this series,” she says and adds, “During a very serious scene, you would notice that there is a comedy or two placed in between seamlessly.” Chandran pitches in and says, “To express comedy on screen is the hardest task. Today’s generation can be aptly called ‘Gen-D’ as they cannot be separated from their digital screens and it is tough to cater to them.”
In the series, Yogi Babu plays Sachu, an orphaned food cart vendor who realises he has a family when his rich stepbrother comes in search of him. “Only Yogi Babu could have played the lead in the project. There was no other option. The project was initially a film before it was converted into a series,” Radha Mohan reveals. The filmmaker’s casting choices have always stood out in his career—particularly for his memorable supporting characters. “Even if they don’t have the screen time, they should create an impact. I focus on giving them a backstory and making them important. It is the reason why people still remember Elango Kumaravel’s character as Ravi Shastri in Abhiyum Naanum.”
Nandhini, who also plays a key role as Amudha in the series, observes that while there is ample space for female comedians to grow and become iconic actors in the industry, securing the right script is crucial. “The industry decides that these actors would only play such roles, but I can only show that I am truly capable of playing various characters when the right opportunity comes. In November Story, I would not have even smiled at any scene. Vikram (2022) and Viruman (2022) too were on similar lines. The truth is, women have lesser roles in comedy than men,” she elaborates.
Despite having a fair share of hits and misses in his career, director Radha Mohan credits his sense of humour for helping him sail through difficult times. Both Nandhini and Chandran acknowledge his ability to create a lively atmosphere on set. "It is from those life experiences, along with the interesting people I meet along the way, that I learnt to create comedy," he signs off with a smile.