''MY FILM WILL BE DIFFERENT FROM VAANAM OR AYUDHA EZHUTHU''

Maanagaram is an upcoming film being produced by SR Prabhu for Potential Studios and directed by debutant Lokesh Kanagaraj. The film is said to be narrated in a hyperlink format and we catch up with Lokesh to know more details.

What is hyperlink narration?
I can explain this with an example. When we google about something, we come across a hyperlinked line in blue. You click that you go to a different page and in this manner, you can go to many pages, but at the same time, you can still come back to your original page.  I have structured my screenplay based on this. When a scene is proceeding, from the cut of this one, it will transfer to another and so on and there will be a connect. This is how the narration moves on in Maanagaram.It will not be episodic but will be a multilayered story with a hyperlink structure.

Will people understand this?
Yes, they will definitely understand. There will not be any confusion. You don’t have to remember many details. There will be a total clarity.

What is the difference between multinarrative and hyperlink narrative?
They both are more or less similar. Multinarratives like Vaanam or Aayudha Ezhuthu will be episodic. Once a specific episode is done, you move on to the next.

In hyperlink, it will not be the case, and any episode will not go beyond 1 or 2 minutes. There will be a shift afterwards.

What made you conceive a structure like this?
When I was asked to narrate the story, I had this as an idea to make as an indie film. I developed and told the producers. It will be a fresh concept and is an urban thriller. It took some time for me to convince the cast and crew. I had a clear vision and since my team was on the same page as mine, it was also easy for me to work. I am also glad that I got to work with Potential Studios as they were much understanding and supportive.    

Did you take the short film route or did you assist anyone?
I had done many short films before. In Karthik Subbaraj’s Avial, my film came as the second one. This was like an entry card for me into the feature film industry.

Maangaram has Sundeep Kishan, Sri, Regina Cassandra, Charlie, Ramdoss and others.

Jyothsna Bhavanishankar

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