People in Russia cried after watching Manjummel Boys, says Chidambaram

Manjummel Boys was the only Indian film to be selected in the competition category at the KinoBravo International Film Festival in Sochi, Russia. Chidambaram, the film’s director, who is now in Sochi, the venue of the Winter Olympics, says, “Russians were crying after watching the film.” The film won the award in the Best Music category at the festival.In a chat with us before the awards were announced, Chidambaram shared, “After the screening, a lot of people came up to us and hugged us. And during the question and answer session, there were so many questions about the sets and the making process. The fact that we could bring our film all the way here to Sochi itself means something. And there are a variety of films here, from places like Ethopia (Doka) and South Africa (Hans Crosses The Rubicon). It’s also a chance to expose ourselves to various industries creating interesting content.”Talking about Sochi, he says “It’s a beautiful place... reserved for tourists, and it’s cold, very cold. The team had the chance to try out Skylift (cable car way) and experience Russian Banya, which is famous for earth, water and air-based relaxation techniques and is planning to try out bungee jumping next.”Actor Ganapathi, who has also accompanied the team to Russia, says, Sochi is more like Kodaikanal, as it is in the southern part of Russia. “It’s my first time in Russia and Sochi is beautiful. We were nervous before the screening because we did not know how our film would be received. It’s exciting to meet cinephiles from different parts of the world and it is a learning experience.”Shawn Anthony, who produced the film, says he was initially concerned about the language barrier. “But the reception was just like as it was in India. Manjummel Boys is the story of my brother’s friends. And the story that started in our hometown has now reached Kino Bravo in Sochi, it’s a great journey.”All We Imagine As Light and RRR were screened at the festival in out of competition categories at the KinoBravo while director-composer Vishal Bharadwaj is a jury member