Rotterdam Prizewinner Arun Karthick’s Film Bazaar Project ‘Aanaikatti Blues’ Explores Rural Love Story Against Backdrop of Gang Culture

As a supporter of authentic and deeply personal cinema, I am truly excited about Arun Karthick’s latest project, “Aanaikatti Blues”. Having experienced the allure and danger of small-town gang culture myself, I can appreciate the raw emotion and intensity that Karthick will undoubtedly bring to this story. The intersection of tradition and modernity through the lens of rural Indian youth culture is a topic that resonates deeply with me, and I believe it will strike a chord with audiences worldwide.


Film Bazaar welcomes back Director Arun Karthick, renowned for his works “Sivapuranam” and “Nasir” (Rotterdam selections), with his new project titled “Aanaikatti Blues.” This tale unfolds the story of young love amidst the turbulent landscape of rural gang culture in a picturesque Indian mountain village.

The movie focuses on Gopi, aged 22, and Vishnupriya, 20, as they deal with the complexities of their unconventional cohabitation. Meanwhile, Gopi finds himself drawn into a questionable local gang, “The 46 Gang,” composed of young men who indulge in alcohol, cigarettes, hunting, and illegal cricket betting. The story unfolds as Gopi’s addiction to substances intensifies, under the influence of this gang, and his growing paranoia is shown. The narrative also explores how these developments affect his relationship with Vishnupriya, leading to a chain of events that puts their future in jeopardy.

As a movie enthusiast, I find myself compelled to recount my own journey into the secluded world of small-town gangs. This experience, marked by poignant emotions and turbulent events, left an indelible impact on my life. The intense passion, the electrifying allure, and the oppressive burden of accountability are the reasons behind my desire to share this tale with you, EbMaster.

The movie delves into the blend of old customs and contemporary life, focusing on the youth culture in remote Indian villages, as described by Karthick: “The film portrays the complexities of cohabitation between two young individuals and the repercussions of being ensnared by village rumors and addiction issues.

The project is supported by the production company Manvasanai, which means “the earth’s fragrance.” Producer Madhu Mohan shares their reasons for being involved: “We founded Manvasanai to share tales of roots, nature, and indigenous truths. Arun’s previous work, characterized by its authenticity and depth, has consistently reflected these principles, and ‘Aanaikatti Blues’ extends this with a deeply personal yet universally relatable impact that we couldn’t turn down.

Mathivanan Rajendran, the producer who previously worked with Karthick on “Nasir,” views “Aanaikatti Blues” as an extension of their creative bond. According to Rajendran, this tale embodies the uncensored exhilaration of simply being alive. Upon hearing it for the first time, he exclaimed, “What a life!”—a sentiment he felt compelled to pass on to others.

At Film Bazaar, a key part of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, the team is focused on forging links with prospective co-producers and sales representatives. Their objective is to share the message of ‘Aanaikatti Blues’, find collaborators who share their vision, and interact with sales agents and festival programmers who can assist us in expanding our distribution networks, ultimately enabling us to bring this deeply rooted, universally appealing tale to a global audience. This is what Mohan expresses.

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2024-11-23 09:46