Engineer (film)

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Engineer
Directed byGandhi Krishna
Produced byJ. S. Ramachandra Rao
Written bySujatha
StarringArvind Swamy
Madhuri Dixit
Napoleon
Music byA. R. Rahman
CinematographyJeeva
Edited byK. Thanigachalam
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Engineer is a shelved Indian Tamil-language film directed by Gandhi Krishna and written by Sujatha originally slated to be released in 1999.[1] Based on the true incidents revolving around the Sardar Sarovar Dam project, the film would had starred Arvind Swamy and Madhuri Dixit, with music composed by A.R. Rahman and cinematography and editing being handled by Jeeva and K. Thanigachalam respectively.[2][3]

It was originally filmed in Tamil with planned versions in Telugu and Hindi. The film was shelved after 80 percent of shooting was completed. Despite reports of a revival in 2004 with a different cast and producer, this has proved to be untrue.[4]

Plot[edit]

The original film was based on a dam being built across a village. The story of the film is set in a village that faces the threat of perishing if the dam is constructed. The engineer (played by Arvind Swamy) undertakes the project for corporate interests. The wife of the engineer (Madhuri Dixit), fights against insensitive authorities that do not seem to be concerned with villagers' woes. She is left numb when she learns that her husband is also a part of the dam project.

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

The film was announced on 16 January 1997 with the film's shooting beginning a week later.[5] Initially the production team had offered the film to Madhuri Dixit, but she declined due to the controversial aspects of the subject.[6] After the Supreme Court order on the Sardar Sarovar dam project, Gandhi approached Madhuri with renewed interest and she agreed to play the role, thus marking her debut in Tamil cinema. Other cast members included Nassar, Goundamani, Senthil and Bala Singh.[7] The costumes of the film were handled by fashion designer duo Anu-Aneez.[8] Graphics artist Venky had worked in the film to multiply crowds, clone characters and serve up a 3-D song sequence.[9][10]

The film ran into financial trouble after 80% of the film's shoot had been shot and has since remained unreleased.[11] Director Shankar, mentor of Gandhi Krishna, attempted to revive the project through his production house, as well as producer Kalaippuli S. Thanu, but was unsuccessful in doing so.[12] The film became one of three Arvind Swamy projects which ran into financial troubles in the mid 1990s, with only Sasanam being belatedly released in 2006. The other venture, Azhagam Perumal's Mudhal Mudhalaaga had also featured music by A. R. Rahman and a leading Hindi actress Karisma Kapoor, like Engineer.[13]

In 2002, the makers attempted to revive the project and agreed dates with Madhuri Dixit. However, the film did not restart production.[14] After the release of Krishna's debut directorial Chellamae in 2004, it was reported that Krishna had plans revive the project with a different cast and producer, but was remained untrue.[15]

References[edit]

  1. "Interview with Sujatha".
  2. "Archived copy". www.dinakaran.com. Archived from the original on 12 March 2005. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "1997-98 Kodambakkam babies Page: Part 2". Archived from the original on 22 June 2001.
  4. "Kamal Haasan's 'Marudhanayagam' to Rajinikanth's 'Jaggubhai': 5 Tamil films that were shot, but scrapped". News18. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  5. "Engineer". starbacks. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  6. "Archived copy". www.screenindia.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "Archived copy". www.minnoviyam.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 1999. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Rediff On The Net, Movies: Gossip from the southern film industry".
  9. "Seeing Is Believing | Outlook India Magazine".
  10. "Archived copy". www.minnoviyam.com. Archived from the original on 20 April 1999. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. "Archived copy". www.hindu.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. "Rediff On The NeT, Movies: Gossip from the southern film industry".
  13. "A.R. Rahman Facts!! [long article]".
  14. "13-03-02". Archived from the original on 6 March 2005.
  15. "Most anticipated movies of Top heroes that were dropped unexpectedly!- News". IndiaGlitz. Retrieved 18 February 2021.