There is lot to learn from Tamil cinema: Ranjith

He is still basking in the success of his recent hit Pranchiyettan And The Saint and ace director Ranjith is in no hurry to move on. ���������I have really not decided on what to do next. I���������m taking things slowly,��������� he begins.
The director, who started off with commercial potboilers like Ravanaprabhu and wrote the script for films like Aaram Thamburan and Narasimham, has today come a long way with experimental films like Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha, Thirakkatha and Kerala Caf������.Quiz him about this shift in gear and pat comes the reply, ���������I���������m just going with the changing taste of the audience. As a scriptwriter or director, I have to be really convinced with what I���������m providing my audience.���������
If there���������s one thing that Ranjith is all praise for, it���������s the current state of Tamil cinema. ���������Till the 70s and 80s, everyone used to look up to Malayalam cinema for inspiration. But in the recent past, Tamil films have come miles ahead of Malayalam and we are getting inspired by the scripts here. I was really impressed with director Sasikumar���������s method of narration when I met him in Chennai recently. I have never even heard of such unique styles before. They have dared to experiment and gone off the conventional styles.���������
But prod Ranjith on why the Malayalam industry is still obsessed with the ���������M��������� factor ��������� Mohanlal and Mammooty ��������� and he clarifies, ���������Not really! At the end of the day, it���������s the script that matters. My last three films were with Mammootty because the scripts required an actor of Mammootty���������s stature, who could emote well. Take for example, debutant director Vineeth Srinivasan���������s Malarvadi Arts Club. Though the film had new faces, it was well-received, because it provided a new experience to Malayalam audiences.���������
On a final note, ask Ranjith why Malayalam stars like Prithiviraj find it challenging to make a mark in Tamil cinema and he says, ���������I introduced Prithvi in Nandanam and I���������m really glad that he has come a long way and has worked with directors like Mani Ratnam in Raavanan. But making a mark in other languages is his job. Language too plays a crucial role. Also, tell me how many stars in Tamil have really made it in Malayalam, barring Kamal Haasan?���������
���������That���������s probably one reason that I���������m not very keen to make a Tamil film as I know that I won���������t really fit in here,��������� he adds and signs off.
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