Director Chimbudeven is in the midst of a whirlwind of last-minute preparations as the release date of his much-anticipated film, ‘Boat,’ approaches. Despite the hectic schedule, the former cartoonist turned filmmaker took time to share insights into the creation of the Yogi Babu-starrer, where much of the film unfolds around a boat teeming with characters adrift at sea. The narrative promises to be as engaging as the process of crafting it, with Chimbudeven drawing inspiration from a variety of sources.
“I’ve been fascinated with the sea ever since reading Ernest Hemingway’s ‘The Old Man and the Sea’ during my school days,” Chimbudeven revealed. “That book is the kernel from which ‘Boat’ grew. Over time, novels like Sandilyan’s ‘Kadal Pura’ and ‘Thanneer Desam,’ as well as several films, further captivated me with their maritime stories. The sea, with its ever-changing conditions—clouds, sky, wind, and weather—serves as a living, breathing character in the film. This, along with the historical backdrop of 1943 and the enduring power of human resilience, forms the crux of ‘Boat.’ A friend’s great-grandfather, who was among the approximately 500,000 people who fled Madras during a Japanese bombing in World War II, recounted tales of people taking to the sea in boats to escape the bombings, which also influenced the story,” he added.
Chimbudeven admitted that he was initially at a loss about how to proceed with the film’s production. “We faced numerous challenges during the shoot. Cinematographer Madhesh Manickam and I scouted many locations, but all had fierce tides. We found a more manageable setting in Uvari near Tiruchendur compared to Rameshwaram, which was too crowded,” he explained.
Finding the right boat for the film proved to be another hurdle. “We needed a boat that could accommodate ten people comfortably. The first boat we sourced was too cramped. Thankfully, the late art director Santhanam found a suitable boat in Kerala, which we then had to modify in Rameshwaram, as traditional oar-propelled boats are no longer in use,” Chimbudeven shared.
Even after securing the ideal boat, shooting at sea presented a host of other obstacles. “Shooting on the sea is arguably one of the toughest terrains you can choose. For instance, unlike in a forest where you can clear a path or atop a hill where ascending is the main challenge, the sea is unpredictable. Tides can be high or low without warning, which is why perhaps it is called ‘kadal thaai’—the sea mother,” Chimbudeven noted. “We only started shooting in earnest three days after getting accustomed to the sea environment.”
Safety concerns also loomed large over the shoot. “We had fishermen nearby for safety reasons, and we lost equipment to the sea more than once, which had to be recovered. Natural lighting was another issue—we’d shoot half a scene, then have to wait days for the lighting to match again. Rain posed its own challenges; with no shelter, the cast’s clothes would get drenched and need drying out before we could resume shooting,” he recounted. “Despite the challenges, we captured a lot of authentic experiences which we hope will also resonate with the audience.”
When asked if the audience would be aware of the struggles behind the scenes, Chimbudeven smiled and said, “Only another filmmaker who dares to shoot under similar conditions might truly understand.
. The audience doesn’t need to know the difficulties; they care about the final product. Whether it’s shooting in space, inside a volcano, or at sea, the key is converting those experiences into a compelling story, which I believe ‘Boat’ has done.”
Chimbudeven is known for his period dramas, and ‘Boat’ is no exception. “Our present sophisticated lifestyle is a result of the decisions, ideologies, and movements of our forefathers. History plays a significant role in shaping our lives today, which is why it interests me so much,” he elaborated. “I also believe our history has been distorted over time. The freedom fighters from our region haven’t gotten their due recognition compared to those from Bombay and Delhi. Even in World War II, where many Indians fought bravely, their contributions often went unrecognized, as seen in films like ‘Dunkirk.’ Articles cite around 2.5 million Indians who lost their lives fighting for the British, yet this is rarely acknowledged. ‘Boat’ is set against this historical backdrop.”
Reflecting on the diverse characters in the trailer, Chimbudeven revealed a deeper metaphorical layer. “The boat represents our country. The people aboard come from different ethnic, religious, and linguistic backgrounds, much like the fabric of our nation.” This aligns with his penchant for thoughtful metaphors, evident in past works like ‘Pulikecei.’
“A strong main plot supported by good performances ensures the audience stays engaged, even if there’s a second layer of meaning. As a former cartoonist, I’m used to embedding deeper messages in my works. A shot in ‘Pulikecei’ even includes a Pablo Picasso painting amidst others, a subtle detail that may or may not be noticed but adds depth,” he explained. “Messages alone can’t change society, but they can serve as gentle reminders. In ‘Pulikecei,’ there’s a character breaking the fourth wall to joke about clichés like twins separated at birth reuniting—a playful way to deliver messages.”
Interestingly, ‘Pulikecei’ marked the first solo lead role for actor Vadivelu, and similarly, ‘Boat’ features comedian Yogi Babu in a leading role. “If the story demands a specific actor and it makes sense commercially, then anyone can become a protagonist. For ‘Boat,’ Yogi Babu was the right fit,” said Chimbudeven, who has dabbled in various genres from Westerns to magical realism to hyperlink narratives.
“In the first 20 years of cinema, all genres were explored. The aim is to deliver an engaging film. If it’s interesting, the audience will celebrate it, regardless of the genre,” he concluded.
‘Boat’ is set to sail into theaters on August 2, promising a thrilling blend of historical depth, human resilience, and maritime adventure.
