Sahara Pookal, is being released this Sunday, September 30th, 2012 at the Markham Theatre which is (Warden and Highway 7) at 6pm. In anticipation of this film, we spoke with Director Jena K. Siva about Sahara Pookal.
Jena K. Siva was born in Sri Lanka on April 12 1989. He grew up in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka until the age of 8. He later moved to Trincomale, where he studied until the age of 11. At this time, he written and directed his own stage drama and also acted in it which was called Ezhalaivan. After that, his family decided to send him to Canada. Upon arriving to Canada, he spent his first few years in Montreal, Quebec where he started his High School education in the French Language, and soon moved to Brampton, Ontario where he finished his High School education.
In the middle of the year 2009, he decided to become an Assistant Director. He asked many directors for a chance but finally Ganapathy Raveendran, an artist, linked him up with the TV Station called Tamilone. At this place, he learned the basics and the foundation of Cinematography, Editing and Directing. Tamilone saw his scripts and gave him an opportunity to direct his own dramas which were broadcasted on their channel. He the directed his own series of a drama called T,life. At the beginning of 2010, he directed his first short film called Avalin Throgam which was nominated for the International Film Festival and the Canadian Tamil Film Festival. It received positive feedback from the public.
He then started to work on his own feature length movie called Sahara Pookkal under the company called Eelam Pictures. In the beginning of 2012, he directed a short film called T.2006 which he also starred in as the main role. This short film was also nominated for the International Film Festival and won the Best Editing Award. It received positive feedback from all over the world. He is working on many more upcoming short films and movies. Jena K Siva is recognized as a young director amongst the Canadian Tamil Cinema Industry. He not only has a passion for directing, but also for acting. His future goal is to bring the Canadian Tamil Cinema to the next level. It is proven in all works done so far.
Interview with Jena
CTYA Blogs Team: What made you decide to pursue filmmaking?
Jena K. Siva: I was asking myself what I am talented in and I realized as a child, even without the knowledge of poetry, scriptwriting or acting, I was able to create and perform. So I realized the talent within me is related to the Cinema Industry. Also, I love Tamil and I am proud to be Tamil, so I decided to do something in Tamil.
CTYA Blogs Team: Please tell us a little about your upcoming film, Sahara Pookal, and what inspired you to create this film.
Jena K. Siva: When I was a kid, I overheard a conversation between my parents which was based on a true story about two lovers, which was unknown to all. It faded away as a secret. I have brought this secret back into light, and also combined it with a community issue.
CTYA Blogs Team: Are you planning to send a message to the youth and the community through this film? If so, what is the message you hope to get across?
Jena K. Siva: Yes, I do plan to send a message to the youth as well as the community. Basically, today’s youth is tomorrow’s community. So by watching this film, our youth today can avoid these mistakes to their children to create a peaceful community tomorrow.
CTYA Blogs Team: Could you share a funny or profound experience while creating Sahara Pookal?
Jena K. Siva: Well, there are many different experiences that I experienced throughout the making of this film however, while our shooting for one of the songs in Montreal, despite our hard work to manage to shoot the full song, I somehow locked the keys to our vehicle in. It took us about four hours to retrieve the key back and continue on with our shooting. The funny part about it is we were in a location we weren’t familiar with, but it was a beautiful location and we managed to use the opportunity and continued with our shooting.
CTYA Blogs Team: When and where is Sahara Pookal being released?
Jena K. Siva: Sahara Pookkkal Premiere Show is being on the 30th of September, 2012 at Markham Theatre which is located at Warden and Highway 7 at 6pm.
Be sure to not miss out! For more updates, check out Sahara Pookal’s Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/saharapookkalthemovie
Tags: Speak Out
