Most movie-goers remember Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan for his roles in hit films like "Yennai Arindhaal" and "Urumi". But now, the up-and-coming actor wants us to know him not just as an actor, but as a storyteller.
Jayaprakash's new film "Lens" will soon be played at several film festivals across India.
The brilliant artist, while speaking to IBTimes India Edition, opened up about his latest venture.
"Lens" is a mirror to our society's addiction to the Internet and how it has given a new arena to the lust for voyeurism. Jayaprakash had conceived the idea for the flick two years ago, when he was an average techie but with a flair for acting. He was chatting with a friend and mentor on Skype when the idea of "Lens" struck him.
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After a tedious couple of years, which included a tonne of hard work and a plethora of rejections, Jayaprakash successfully wrote the screenplay, directed and produced the film, which is deemed as "too bold" for the mainstream South Indian audiences. Notwithstanding all the hindrances, Jayaprakash was able to bag a few stalwarts in their fields to contribute to "Lens", which has been cleared by the censor board with UA certification.
While SR Kathir of the "Subramaniyapuram" fame is the cinematographer for the film, music composer Siddharth Vipin provided the background score for "Lens".
"Lens" focuses on Aravind - played by Jayaprakash - and his online friend "Nikky" who predominantly interacted via video chat. They take voyeurism to the next level, when Nikki asks Aravind to watch her commit suicide.
"Nikki's desire to commit suicide and have Aravaind watch it will all make sense when you watch 'Lens'," says Jayaprakash. The movie purposely shows the difference between reality and online persona through the character of Nikky, who is not what she seems to be.
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The Skype conversation between the two actors was shot live and this sets "Lens" apart from other films. In this pan-Indian film, we will see Aravind and Nikki interact with each other and other people in their lives in English, Hindi, Malayalam and Tamil.
Jayaprakash calls it a socially conscious film, wherein he tries to mirror the society in all its flaws and greatness as truthfully as he can. "As is the case with all human interactions, in this movie too I have the moral obligation to be as true as I can be. My point of view and what morality I stand for is what will be extended to the audiences through 'Lens'."
