What does it really mean to see people, life and cinema beyond
the labels society gives us ?
In this candid and thought-provoking conversation, director Ram
opens up about his 20-year journey in Tamil cinema, the ideas and
experiences that have shaped his filmmaking, his approach to
human characters, and the way he looks at life, relationships and
society.
Ram speaks openly about the importance of “unlearning” as we grow
and evolve. He reflects on how our understanding of love,
relationships, gender and society changes with time, and why
letting go of old beliefs can be just as important as learning
something new.
The conversation also explores why Ram refuses to categorise
people as simply “good” or “bad.” He explains why his characters
are often ordinary, flawed, insecure, lonely or misunderstood,
and why he believes these are not necessarily “flawed” people,
but natural human beings. He shares his fascination with the
lives of people who are rarely noticed or represented in
mainstream cinema, and why every person has a story worth
understanding.
Ram revisits some of the central ideas behind his films,
including Kattradhu Thamizh, Thanga Meenkal, Taramani, Peranbu,
Parandhu Po and Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai. He discusses alienation,
learning disabilities, relationships, urban loneliness,
parenting, marginalised lives and the different worlds he tries
to explore through each film.
He also speaks about the relationship between anger, love and
affection for society. Ram explains why he consciously avoids
self-pity and excessive melodrama in his writing, and why he
wants his characters to experience pain, conflict and struggle
without being presented as objects of pity.
The conversation moves into men, women and modern relationships
as well. Ram shares why he has little interest in portraying
“alpha males,” why insecurity and vulnerability are closer to the
reality of ordinary men, and how the women in his own life have
influenced the way he writes female characters. He also reflects
on how the younger generation is approaching love, freedom,
relationships and breakups differently.
Love becomes another major theme as Ram discusses Yezhu Kadal
Yezhu Malai, the ancient Tamil understanding of love through
Tholkappiyam, the importance of waiting, and why love extends far
beyond romance—to parents, children, friends, pets, places,
memories and even familiar aromas.
Ram also opens up about the long journey of Yezhu Kadal Yezhu
Malai, the challenges involved in bringing a film to audiences,
and the unique filmmaking process behind the film, including its
train-set sequences, CG animals, different eras, forests and
coastal landscapes.
Topics Covered:
Ram’s 20-year journey in Tamil cinema
The importance of unlearning and evolving with time
Why he refuses to label people as “good” or “bad”
His approach to flawed, ordinary and overlooked characters
The lives and stories rarely represented in mainstream cinema
The ideas behind Kattradhu Thamizh, Thanga Meenkal, Taramani,
Peranbu and Parandhu Po
Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai and exploring a completely new
cinematic world
Anger, love, affection and cinema’s relationship with society
Why he consciously avoids self-pity and excessive melodrama
Men, women, insecurity and the idea of “alpha males”
How modern relationships and love are changing
The different forms of love beyond romantic relationships
Tholkappiyam and the timeless nature of love
The challenges behind releasing Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai
The technical and creative process behind the film
A conversation about cinema, human nature, ordinary lives, love,
relationships, society, creativity and the courage to look at the
world differently.
Also available on YouTube:
Channel Link
The Gobinath Podcast
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