Aishwarya Dhanush’s 3
A few months ago, Kolaveri D (sung by Tollywood actor Dhanush) went viral, with over 50 million views to date. The song from filmmaker Aishwarya Dhanush’s debut venture 3, catapulted the film onto this year’s highly anticipated films list. Now with its recent release in the south, we caught up with the first-time filmmaker as she tells us about her directorial experience, the relationship with her father, the south Indian demigod Rajinikanth and of course, Kolaveri D.
You are the daughter of one of the most legendary actors coming out of India. What was it like growing up in such a household and when did your romance with films begin? I would say that my parents gave us a very simple and normal atmosphere at home. It was never that we were living with a celebrity. I think only when I grew up to a certain age did I realize the magnitude of the person we were living with. My mother made sure that she kept us away from the whole limelight scenario. We went to temples and regular shops and my father left his super stardom outside the house, when he came in it was like any other father-daughter relationship. I think I have had a great childhood and beautiful memories associated with it.
I used to write essay, scripts and short stories growing up but even then I didn’t think I would join the film industry. But I think it’s only natural that as time went by I got more and more interested as I was surrounded by it. I felt familiar with the whole system and you feel very much at home. I think when I was in the 11th or 12th is when I really started getting interested in films and directing and since then I started working towards it. I have no formal education in direction and have learnt everything on the job.
What inspired 3 and what is the film about? It’s a very real movie, it’s something that people will be able to relate to, with emotions that we experience in our daily lives or have experienced in the past. I think it’s going to be a film that will stay in people’s hearts for some time. The first film is always something that is taken from the filmmaker’s life or from their own reality to a certain extent. This film takes a lot from experiences that I have encountered or people around me have been a part of. The inspiration comes from what I have seen. I would want the viewers to take a part of the film back home with them and I would want them to long for this kind of relationship in their lives.
Before setting out to make the film did you ever think you would create waves with just one track? I never expected this kind of rage with Kolaveri D, we knew the song will be a hit but I really didn’t think it would become so big. I would consider myself blessed that people have welcomed me not only in South but North and all over the world. This kind of response has only made me feel more responsible – that I need to deliver what people expect from me and not disappoint them.
What was it like directing your husband? Initially, I was a bit jittery but without sounding as if I am bragging – Dhanush is a director’s actor. He moulds himself to what the director wants from him and he will give you what the character requires and he gives you that comfort level on the set. He does his job and I do mine so we share a great understanding and are completely in sync._
