Filmmakers get corny with titles

Imagine walking into a counter at the theatre and asking the person ‘Anna Therunaaigal ku oru ticket kudunga’ (Give me a ticket for mongrels), or asking Than Kaiyye Thanaku Udhavi (this one needs no translation) ticket iruka. You may find yourself in these embarrassing or funny situations very soon, for these statements loaded with sexual innuendos are titles of upcoming Tamil films. Not just these, there are funnier ones like Iruttu Arayil Murattu Kutthu (Drumbeats in the dark) and Pallu Padaama Paathuka (Watch out for the tooth). 

Another film, that denotes the lines of the infamous WhatsApp Swamiji, known for his obscene voice messages, has the title Hara Hara Mahadev Ki, will hit the screens next week. Santhosh P Jayakumar, the director of the film, who will also be directing Iruttu Arayil Murattu Kutthu says, “I ensured that I will be making a film, an adult comedy, which will get an ‘A’ certificate from the CBFC. In fact, I insisted that my film be given an ‘A’ certificate as it is not for the family audience. The jury asked me who would title his film in such a way and I said this is the name of a resort that appears in the film, after which they approved the title. Moreover, we haven’t mocked at any religious beliefs or portrayed woman in a derogatory manner. So, I don’t see why I should think of an alternative. I do understand that a section of the audience may find it inappropriate, but they aren’t my target audience.” 

Another film directed by a famous YouTuber, who has over a million subscribers to his channel, is coming up with the horror comedy, Pallu Padaama Paathuka. “We live in an era where people are watching uncensored versions of Game of Thrones. Most of these viewers are young audiences. This is the section I want my films to cater to. I don’t really mind if the other section of the audience boycotts Pallu Padaama Paathuka. We are making movies for a generation that finds humour in the most unexpected things. So, I think titles like these and content-wise too will strike a chord than the done and dusted formulaic films,” he says. 

Even actors are open to experimenting with such films. Gautham Karthik, who will be playing the lead in Iruttu Arayil Murattu Kutthu says, “This will be my second adult comedy film. I don’t think, I will be stereotyped or criticised by the audience for doing such films as I also have a few action films and romantic films to my name.”

However, even the younger generation has difference in opinion. Aarthi Kumar, a software professional says, “Being a woman I definitely cannot go to such films alone. I can’t ask for tickets in counters as we have been raised in such kind of a society. But yes, when we go in a group, I will watch these films and will have a hearty laugh.” Gautham Raj, a city-based e-commerce professional says, “We enjoy adult comedies more than the regular ones. The kind of imagination is at another level. Having said that, we are smart enough not to know where this kind of humour can be used and where it cannot.”