Anthologies have something for everyone, say makers of Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa

Amazon Prime Video's Tamil anthology film Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa (2022), the successor to its 2020 hit Putham Pudhu Kaalai, will be premiered on 14 January 2022.

The anthology comprises five short segments that are set during the second lockdown that was imposed amid the coronavirus pandemic and are themed on love, hope, resilience and humanity. 

The segments in the second instalment of the Tamil anthology are Mugakavasa Mutham, directed by Balaji Mohan; Loners, helmed by Halitha Shameen; Madhumita's Mouname Paarvayaai; Nizhal Tharum Idham, directed by Richard Anthony; and The Mask, helmed by Surya Krishna. 

Talking about digital platforms' penchant for putting out anthologies these days, Madhumita said, "I think we had already started the trend of making anthology movies go theatrical with Halitha's film Sillu Karuppatti (2019), which was before COVID and will continue to do so even after COVID. As far as creating movies during the pandemic is concerned, films tell you about the times that we live in and this movie has different stories from different perspectives. Even in the OTT platform format, episode formats (sic) are doing well. There is something for everyone in anthologies, no matter the audience.”

Balaji Mohan, director of Mugakavasa Mutham, concurred. His short features TeeJay Arunasalam and Gouri G Kishan as police officers. The filmmaker said, "Anthologies are a great way to put different stories in one place. There are many filmmakers who want to tell their stories and it's a healthy trend." 

While each story in Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa is a stand-alone tale, the makers have described them as being bound together by the common themes of the personal discovery of hope and new beginnings through human connections.

Describing the collaborative nature of the project, Halitha said, "When all five minds work on the same theme together and a film is ready, if it’s made well, it’s a treat for the audience.” 

The anthology is due to be premiered on 14 January.