No takers for film on Communist leader P. Krishna Pillai

Alappuzha (Kerala) Aug 4 (IANS) Anil V. Nagendran, a lawyer by profession, spent more than eight years to make "Vasanthathinte Kanalvazhikalil", a film on legendary Communist leader P. Krishna Pillai, but there are no takers for the movie, which cost him a fortune.

The 49-year-old produced and directed "Vasanthathinte Kanalvazhikalil". Set in the 1940s, it highlights the role played by Pillai, founder of the Communist movement in the state besides party legends like A.K. Gopalan, E.M.S. Namboodripad and other leading lights and in fighting castism and feudalism.

The film has hit a few roadblocks and the first one came soon after its release in March. The Election Commission issued a notice to the filmmaker following complaints from the Congress Party saying the film's screening during the Lok Sabha poll campaign could hurt them.

"As soon as the Election Commission served me the notice, and since I didn't want to enter into a controversy, I pulled out my film after a week in the theatres. It was running in 40 centres in Kerala," Nagendran IANS.

Making the film was not a cakewalk.

"I started research for my film, which was in my heart for a long time, in 2006. In 2010, I created the set in a village in Kollam district. The film was released in March this year. Since then the going got tough," said Nagendran.

Interestingly, the film's cast features artists like Samudrakani, Mukesh, Siddiq, KPAC Lalitha, Urmila Unni, Sudheesh and several others, while music has been composed by eight composers.

The film was the last work of legendary musician Dakshinamoorthy.

As many as 24 crooners, including K.J. Yesudas and Chithra, were roped in to sing nine songs.

"I was aiming to get satellite rights for my film and I had high hopes from the party backed Kairali TV channel, but nothing has materialised yet. I did vent my feelings at a function attended by very senior leaders of the party recently," said Nagendran.

Udaunted by fruitless efforts, Nagendran has planned his next move.

"Even though I am an advocate by profession, my passion is films and now I have started preliminary work on a proposed film that will speak on 'world peace'.

"The fire in me, which I had as a student activist of the Communist movement, will take me forward braving all odds," said Nagendran.

Meanwhile he is still searching for 'peace' after getting a raw deal for "Vasanthathinte Kanalvazhikalil", which he expects to return to the theatres during Onam.