Part 66: And the heartache began.

Sethu was finally done.

Then we started the preview sessions. It was time to talk business. We held a few previews to show it to distributors. Nowadays we normally don’t arrange preview shows. If they arrange, one or two. Just for me and the director. If they arrange then also at the max it’s three. After the release of the movie for the invitees there will be two or three shows. That’s it. Maximum means its ten.

Those who saw it loved it. Not one eye was dry after screening. It left such a mark on the minds and hearts of everyone. Whoever watched it claimed it was the best movie of the year, of the decade. The distributors came out, shook my hand, hugged me with tears rolling down their eyes and said,

‘What a movie! What a performance!’ Same with Bala.

‘It’s so nice film’ many people said over phone. Just they had seen previews and exactly around 2.30 or 3 pm they call me. After watching the movie, having tea and then somehow get my number and then they used to call “Sorry, Sir...you don’t know me I am an assistant director I really liked the movie a lot. So thought of saying it. Bye.’

Everyday! The movie had that kind of an affect.

Many people would come and see the previews and would say, "The film is good. But we are unsure whether it would succeed. And no one bought the film. Nobody. Zilch. Nothing.

There was this big director who saw 'Sethu'. He walked away without any comments. Later when I met him at a function, I asked him what he felt about 'Sethu'. He said, "You've done an excellent job Vikram, but then the movie should run!"

This director (Shankar) is one who can pick up anyone and make him into a hero if he wanted it. And coming from him I felt, "If this man could feel this way, no one can do anything with me!" I felt bad.

A few previews became ten. Ten became twenty. Twenty became thirty. Anyone and everyone in the film industry had seen the movie in the previews. More and more people talked about the movie and they had all watched it in previews. Weeks turned to months. And then a whole year. And before we knew it, we had held over sixty-two previews that year. Total shows were sixty seven!

It was doubtful whether the film would be released at all. Sethu was my last hope. It is said that Fate gangs up on us at the time of trouble. But, to me it was as if it was having its laugh at my cost. Bala and I were sure that this was it. We felt like all of Chennai had seen the damn film, loved it and appreciated it. But nobody bought the film. All our months of hard work down the drain.

Shaila kind of cracked the whip (who could blame her) and insisted that this was it. It was time to say quit and move on.

Even after putting so much effort and hard work if it was not happening means then it’s needless. I had some money saved. Just thought of doing multimedia. I have a friend in America who is in a very good position at NIIT. He told that he would get me a job as I am little creative. Or else thought to go to Australia to Ample pluck. I had one of my uncle over there.

He said, “You come for ample. There’s no tension. Just pluck up and drive home. That’s it.”

I said, “Okay.”

When I was into 'Sethu' for two years, the frustration did start getting into me. I had banked completely on 'Sethu'. Since the film was to be released in Telugu and Malayalam, I had stopped accepting offers from those languages. So, my source of income from there was cut off completely. It was at that time that I felt myself in the do-or-die situation. Earlier I had refused tele-films and serials. But now I got into this mind set. That if 'Sethu' didn't do it for me, I'll accept all the serials that come my way, or else go abroad and do something.

That time I thought so but basically till Sethu I struggled.

At this point, Kutty Padmini called up offered me a role in her TV serial. Not wanting to miss the chance altogether, I tentatively told her, I have recently finished a good movie. That is yet to be released. If that doesn't work out, I will come to you. But later as I told her that I would consider it and I started to. I was about to pick up the phone and dial her number when the phone rang.

It was Bala.

'Kenny? We have sold the film. It's releasing in a few weeks. Don't do anything stupid. Don't sign up for any serials or some computer course.'

Ah! A respite.

And the movie finally released. That too in a suburban theatre. As we did not get any good theatre. Regular show in Krishaveni and morning show at a small theatre of Abhirami. I was totally disappointed.

And the heartache began.

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