“Rajini sir was listening with rapt attention. He got emotional when I narrated emotional scenes and smiled when I narrated comedy sequences. He didn’t move from his seat till I said ‘titles start rolling’,” says Pon Kumaran, who has written story for the much-awaited Rajinikanth starrer Lingaa , which is likely to hit screens on December 12.
Lingaa has a strong Kannada connection, with Pon Kumaran forming one link. The film is being produced by top Kannada producer Rockline Venkatesh and Pon Kumaran, the story writer, has directed four Kannada films including Vishnuvardhana , Charulata , Kempe Gowda and Jai Lalitha . Now he is busy shooting another Kannada film, Raja Rajendra , starring Sharan. A major portion of Lingaa has been shot in Karnataka, especially in Sagar near Jog Falls.
He said the plot of Lingaa occurred to him while he was doing Vishnuvardhana for Sudeep in Kannada and the story demanded a superstar. He met his guru, Tamil’s ace director K.S. Ravikumar, and discussed the issue. “When I narrated the story, he said that the plot suited Rajini and assured me he’ll speak to him.”
Finally, Rajinikanth was impressed when he heard the reading.
“Rajini sir sought two days time to respond. But having watched his reaction, I was confident he would do it. Finally, the call came from Ravikumar saying ‘ Sir patam panraru [Sir will do the film].’ I was almost in seventh heaven.”
Rockline Venkatesh, Sonakshi (female lead), Sabu Cyril (art director), A.R. Rehman (music director) and others were also impressed.
“The film was shot in Sagar and Mysore as the crew wanted to shoot without mobbing by Rajini sir’s fans. Some part of the film was shot at a studio in Chennai and foreign locations,” he explained.
When asked about the reports that the story has the controversial Mullaperiyar Dam issue, a tight-lipped Pon Kumaran said: “It is a commercial and mass-hero entertainer. Of course it has a social message and sure to leave an impression on the minds of the audience.”
