Engineer (film) explained

Engineer
Director:Gandhi Krishna
Starring:Arvind Swamy
Madhuri Dixit
Napoleon
Producer:J. S. Ramachandra Rao
Cinematography:Jeeva
Editing:K. Thanigachalam
Music:A. R. Rahman
Country:India
Language:Tamil

Engineer is a shelved Indian Tamil-language film directed by Gandhi Krishna and written by Sujatha originally slated to be released in 1999.[1] Based on the true incidents revolving around the Sardar Sarovar Dam project, the film would have starred Arvind Swamy and Madhuri Dixit, with music composed by A.R. Rahman and cinematography and editing being handled by Jeeva and K. Thanigachalam respectively.[2] [3]

It was originally filmed in Tamil with dubbed versions in Telugu and Hindi. The film was shelved after 80 percent of shooting was completed.[4]

Plot

The original film was based on a dam being built across a village. The story of the film is set in a village that faces the threat of perishing if the dam is constructed. The engineer (played by Arvind Swamy) undertakes the project for corporate interests. The wife of the engineer (Madhuri Dixit), fights against insensitive authorities that do not seem to be concerned with villagers' woes. She is left numb when she learns that her husband is also a part of the dam project.

Cast

Production

The film was announced on 16 January 1997 with the film's shooting beginning a week later.[5] Initially the production team had offered the film to Madhuri Dixit, but she declined due to the controversial aspects of the subject.[6] After the Supreme Court order on the Sardar Sarovar dam project, Gandhi approached Dixit with renewed interest and she agreed to play the role, thus marking her debut in Tamil cinema.[7] The costumes of the film were handled by fashion designer duo Anu-Aneez.[8] Graphics artist Venky had worked in the film to multiply crowds, clone characters and serve up a 3-D song sequence.[9] [10]

The film ran into financial trouble after 80% of the film's shoot had been shot and has since remained unreleased.[11] Director Shankar, mentor of Gandhi Krishna, attempted to revive the project through his production house, as well as producer Kalaippuli S. Thanu, but was unsuccessful in doing so.[12] The film became one of three Arvind Swamy projects which ran into financial troubles in the mid-1990s, with only Sasanam being belatedly released in 2006. The other venture, Azhagam Perumal's Mudhal Mudhalaaga had also featured music by A. R. Rahman and a leading Hindi actress Karisma Kapoor, like Engineer.[13]

In 2002, the makers attempted to revive the project and agreed dates with Madhuri Dixit. However, the film did not restart production.[14]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Interview with Sujatha . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110313032908/http://www.oocities.org/sujathapage/english/einterview1.html . 13 March 2011 . 4 September 2011 . oocities.org.
  2. Web site: 28 July 1998 . Aravinthasamy-Mathuri Dixit In Scotland . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20050312042353/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/cinenews/28-07-98/marutha.htm . 12 March 2005 . 12 January 2022 . Dinakaran.
  3. Web site: 1997-98'ன் கொடம்பாக்கக் குஞ்சுகள் . 1997-98 Kodambakkam babies . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101008030309/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/People/98/Feb/kuttisp2.htm . 8 October 2010 . Indolink . en . 21 December 2020 .
  4. Web site: 19 May 2015 . Kamal Haasan's 'Marudhanayagam' to Rajinikanth's 'Jaggubhai': 5 Tamil films that were shot, but scrapped . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170715052546/http://www.news18.com/news/south-cinema/kamal-haasans-marudhanayagam-to-rajinikanths-jaggubhai-5-tamil-films-that-were-shot-but-scrapped-993780.html . 15 July 2017 . 18 February 2021 . News18.
  5. Web site: Engineer . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120326185124/http://www.starbacks.ca/TheTropics/3214/engineer.html . 26 March 2012 . 3 September 2015 . starbacks.
  6. Web site: Maduri Dixit, Arvind Swamy in a trilingual . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080302002321/http://www.screenindia.com/old/jan16/south2.htm . 2 March 2008 . 12 January 2022 . Screen.
  7. News: Kummar . S. R. Ashok . 13 February 1998 . Spurt of films and fresh talent . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/19991008195506/http://webpage.com/hindu/daily/980213/09/09130223.htm . 8 October 1999 . 9 October 2024 . . 26.
  8. Web site: 17 August 1998 . A cut above . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181918/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/aug/17ss.htm . 3 March 2016 . 4 September 2011 . Rediff.com.
  9. Web site: 22 December 1997 . Seeing Is Believing . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110426030221/http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?204787 . 26 April 2011 . 4 September 2011 . Outlook.
  10. Web site: Gobichetipal . Chandra . 12 January 1998 . Queen Bee La Dixit heads toward South . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/19990420132541/http://www.minnoviyam.com/star/track15.html . 20 April 1999 . 12 January 2022 . Minnoviyam.
  11. Web site: Rangarajan . Malathi . 15 February 2008 . My first break . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080219160012/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/02/15/stories/2008021550411600.htm . 19 February 2008 . 12 January 2022 . The Hindu.
  12. Web site: 13 July 1999 . Mani-talk . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20121102094959/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jul/13spice.htm . 2 November 2012 . 4 September 2011 . Rediff.com.
  13. Web site: A.R. Rahman Facts!! [long article] ]. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240605165811/https://groups.google.com/g/rec.arts.movies.local.indian/c/Crpzd12yYiQ . 5 June 2024 . 28 July 2016 . Google Groups.
  14. Web site: 13 March 2002 . Gossip . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20050306214850/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/gossip/2002/13-03-02.html . 6 March 2005 . . 21 November 2020 .

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