Ateetham, the search for the unknown

Submitted by bhawani on Sun, 2007-02-18 23:01. Movies

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Ateetham is the maiden film of an ad filmmaker. Deven Nair the director explains his choice of theme thus,". I believe that it is the human mind which has to be transformed to bring about a radical change in our times and society as a whole. This is possible only through spirituality. So I decided on this theme for my film to help in whatever small way I can."

The film takes us through the restless soul of a youth (Rahul Easwar, the debutant hero)who grows up in an ashram but one day walks out searching for answers. He joins the indoctrination class of a political group. The conversion seems complete. But he is not one to stay. He moves on to Benaras.He is given shelter in a pleasure house whose 'Madam' says, "Ask no questions. Do your work. The one before you was sent out for overstepping the brief." The hero does get some clarity, the cobwebs in his mind move away. Life seems to have turned full circle.

As a first film the director has taken up a challenge by casting new faces in the lead. He has an explanation for this,"I chose to use fresh faces because the estabilished actors had fixed images and I felt they would not do justice to the roles."

Marketing a film is a major issue, but he is clear abou his target audience,"People in the West are aware of the spiritual wealth in our country,so this film will definitely have a market in the West."

There is a sense of satisfaction in his words,"I always dreamt of making a good and meaningful film of my own with a valuable message."

"I believe that transformation in the minds of people all over the world would ultimately lead to a Oneness among the people and countries of the world and more importantaly a Oneness of the individual soul with the spirit" says the director regarding the touch of the exotic Philosophy tha he has given to the story.

What is appreciated is that he knew what he wanted, and has not tried to sail in many boats and please different sections, and in the remain displeased himself when he fails to make money at the box office.

The youngsters have done a fairly god job for a maiden performance.
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