This Techie Gave up His Job for the Love of Cinema. Now He’s Won a US Award for His Film.

Kanavu Variyam will be premiered at a US film festival in April.

By Meryl Garcia

February 21, 2016

A Tamil movie, Kanavu Variyam, directed by Arun Chidambaram has won the Remi Award of the 49th WorldFest Houston International Film Festival. This is reportedly the oldest independent film & video festival in the world. The Remi award is given to independent films and filmmakers. The movie on electricity shortage in India will be premiered at the event in April.

Arun, who plays the lead role in Kanavu Variyam, has written the story, screenplay, dialogues, as well as the lyrics.

arun

Photo source: pluzcinemas.com

“Kanavu Variyam is about the shortage of electricity in the villages of India. The film has a bunch of newcomers in the lead roles and the story throws light (pun unintended) on the electricity issues that villagers have been facing for many years now. We have shot the film in the villages of Tamil Nadu and are planning to release it in the state, after its world premiere at the film festival,” Arun told The Times of India.

Arun completed his Masters in the US and worked for JP Morgan Chase in Chicago. He quit his job and returned to Chennai to pursue his true calling – cinema.

The film has also won the Special Jury award at the National Science Film Festival – 2016, organised by the Government of India.

Kalla Manna, a song from the film, has also been selected to be screened at the US-based Bare Bones International Film and Music Festival. The music is by Shyam Benjamin. The film also stars Jiya.

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