Adaptation of books into films takes an immense understanding of literature, history and nuances of the visual medium. The evolving trend of literary adaptations has begun exploring the space of Tamil Cinema in the last two decades.
Ever since filmmakers with strong literature background started handling the craft, the audience could experience the world-class quality of films that registered the politics, culture and voice of Tamil Nadu.
In the last two decades, we found two prominent filmmakers Vasantha Balan and Vetri Maaran whose films based on notable novels awed the fans and critics.
Aravaan
The historical fiction Aravaan starred Aadhi, Pasupathy, Dhansika and Archana Kavi while directed by acclaimed Vasantha Balan. The film was based on the 2008 novel Kaaval Kootam written by Su Venkatesan who was the recipient of the honorary Sahitya Academy Award.
Kaaval Kottam is an epic historical novel that consists of the history of 600 years of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The novel begins in 1310 and Su Venkatesan took 10 years to complete the book that has a collection of 250 short stories.
Aravaan is one of the 250 short stories which Su Venkatesan gave to Vasantha Balan. Aravaan has music by playback singer Karthik while produced by T Siva under Amma Creations. The film was released in 2012 and received a rave response from the audience and critics.
The main plot of Aravaan is set in the 18th century and revolves around a group of robbers who reform their ways in the course of the story.
Visaranai
The story of Visaranai (2015) was based on the 2006 novel Lockup written by Chandrakumar. Lockup was written based on the real experiences of police brutality as faced by Chandrakumar.
Visaranai was directed by Vetri Maaran while produced by Dhanush’s Wunderbar Films in association with Vetri Maaran’s Grass Root Film Company. The film had background scores by GV Prakash Kumar with cinematography by S Ramalingam.
The film was premiered in the 72nd Venice Film Festival and won the Amnesty International Italia Award. It also received 3 National Film Awards at the 63rd edition. The film opened up in theatres in February 2016 and became successful at the box office.
The film also made its entry to the 89th Academy Awards from India. It was sent under the category of Best Foreign Language Film. However, the film did not make it to the nomination.
Asuran
The 2019 National Film Award-Winning film was based on the novel Vekkai written by Poomani, yet another Sahitya Academy Winning Tamil writer. The novel was also translated into English and published as Heat in 2019.
Vekkai is about the life of a father and son set in the latter part of the 20th century in a small village in Tamil Nadu. Vetri Maaran adapted the novel into Asuran that starred Dhanush, Manu Warrier, Ken Karunas, Pasupathy, Teejay Arunachalam and many others.
The film’s plot revolves around the struggle of an oppressed class family headed by Sivasaami (played by Dhanush) who risks everything to save his 15-year-old son from a murder charge. Asuran had music by GV Prakash Kumar while produced by V Creations under Kalaipuli S Dhanu.
