Director P Vasu To Bring MGR Back On Screen

Director P Vasu, whose father was a makeup artist for late MG Ramachandran, plans to use advanced technology to bring MGR back on screen for his new film. Vasu has been roped in to direct the film by a Malaysian production house – Orange County. Due to Vasu’s proximity to MGR when he was alive, the director was deemed the best person to help bring back MGR (who died in 1987) on screen. The film has been tentatively titled Magendra.

According to P Vasu, the Malaysian company has been working on the technology for nearly two years. They hired a top VFX firm from the United States to create (through digital sculpting) a 3D model of MGR’s head. The plan is to have a stunt double shoot the film, and then replace the head alone with that of MGR. The firm is planning on using motion capture technology to make the project.

Speaking to Silverscreen, Vasu said: “The script has not been finalised. I am in touch with the producers and am trying to get the nuances of the character right. I have construct the story in such a way that it stays true to the kind of films and characters MGR sir did.”

While Vasu’s attachment to the project is restricted to the film alone, the producers seem to be keen on expanding the use of MGR’s digital avatar from films to commercials and such. This is a tricky area, industry insiders tell us. For one, the producers need to get formal permission from the living relatives of MG Ramachandran. “Even when Nagesh was digitally recreated for Kochadaiiyaan, permission was sought by the makers from the family of the late actor,” an industry insider said.

A formal launch of the film is expected soon.