A MELODY THAT ENDED WITH A SCREAM: John Mahendran

ISAIPRIYA…A MELODY THAT ENDED WITH A SCREAM

When we were shooting for the Movie Aanivaer, we were in look out for an artiste who could do the role of a Rape victim in Srilanka.

We were shooting in Kilinochi, where we came across girls who were more tough and masculine, as most of the girls we met were part of LTTE.

As a film maker I felt a girl who is looking more tender and fragile will make a better onscreen presence for the brutal rape sequence. We even tried meeting with many artistes in Chennai.

Many looked filmy, many demanded undue payment for acting that role (some asked “rape na summavaa sir? What the heck was she thinking?), many fled the moment we told that the shoot will be taking place in kilinochi…

It was strange experience for me as I looked at every girl I came across no matter where I went and whom I met and think whether this girl will be good for the Rape sequence.

Not able to get an artiste I landed back in kilinochi, contemplating whether to skip the episode in the movie.

After futile attempts I decided to drop the rape sequence during when I saw a girl pass me riding a bicycle…the exact kinda girl I was looking out for….tender, fragile, and the girl I was angelic.

When I asked who the girl was… they said her name was ISAIPRIYA

Greedy as a director I asked whether we could approach her for the role.Next moment I met her in Nidarsanam TV channel where she was working as a reporter.

Taken aback by my request, she instantly refused. Though in vain I went along to explain, how I was planning to shoot the rape without actually showing the incident. I used all my speaking skills to convince her to do that episode, she politely but firmly denied my proposal.

“ john anna…mannichirunga…enakku thirumanam aaga pogudhu…indha samayathil ippadiyoru kaatchiya nadikka sangadama irukku…idhu engada pengalin valiyendu therindhaalum, thirumanam seiyakaila indha kadhapaathiram seiya sangojama irukku john anna…mannichirunga”

Respecting her feelings I didn’t force her more. After sometime Isai invited us home and served us a memorable lunch. As we were about to leave her house, we took a photograph with Isaipriya not  realizing that this very same Isaipriya will be brutally raped by thirteen army men and shot to dead.

When Channel 4 aired the news of her killing…..and showed her last minute visuals, I wondered how horrifying it must have been for Isai, for a girl who hesitated to do that sequence in reel life when it happened to her in real life….And when all the Divine Gods were just sitting watching her cry out in pain.

“ john anna…” I still hear Isaipriya’s  voice

John Mahendran

Film Writer/Director/Columnist