We are going to talk about Realistic Art Director Mr. Veeramani Ganesan who is currently working as an Art Director with his friend and production designer N.Sathish Kumar in Superstar Rajinikanth starrer “Coolie” directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Sun Pictures.
Mr. Veeramani Ganesan was born and brought up in Annanagar, Madurai. Due to family poverty, he stopped his schooling midway and started working as a full-time sign board artist in 1997 at Madurai.
Then he came to Chennai for the first time in 2000 and worked at an artist shop in Pattinambakkam. In 2003, he worked as an artist for 2 days in the huge hit movie “Ghilli” through the assistant art director Annadurai, a friend of his “Guru.Murugan” in Madurai. After 2 days Veeramani got an idea “Why should I sit free in the room? Can I go to the set and help others” without expecting anything in return. He went to the set and started working hard. As a result, he got the chance to work on the whole movie. He continued to work day and night on the set.
S.A.Chandrasekhar Sir worked as an artist in the film, and the advent of digital media (flex banners) during that period reduced the need for artists. So, Mr. Veeramani sir again went to Madurai in 2005. But he could not continue there. He wanted to go to Chennai and wanted to do something big in ART. Later his brother took him back to Chennai and tried to make him an assistant art director in cinema.
His elder brother’s name is G.Veerapandian IAS (now an IAS officer in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh). He was studying IAS in Chennai in 2005. Basically people from other areas face two main problems when they come to Chennai. One is food and the other is shelter. Therefore, Veeramani sir did not suffer for food and accommodation.
After that, through his brother’s friend, Through Bharati Prabhu, He got a chance to meet “Chandru” Sir, Principal of Kavin Fine Arts College, Egmore. He requested his student art director K. Kadhir sir to hire him as assistant art director.
On the same day he met K. Kadhir Sir (Art Director) at AVM Studio. In the first meeting with Art Director K.Kadhir sir, he said, “I have all the assistants I need now, but as my principal sir asked me, I am including you in my team. Believing the words of scripture that you continue to be my assistant is in your work, he started working hard for him from then on.” Worked with Kadhir Sir from 2006 to 2010 as Assistant Art Director. He has worked as an assistant art director on several hit films till “Pokkirri” to “Payanam”. When Veeramani sir came out from Kadhir sir as full art director, Kadhir sir said “I have never seen such a hardworking and dedicated assistant”. It was then that I felt happy, satisfied and that my hard work had paid off.
In 2010 his roommate Prabhu Raja Cholan started directing his first film “Karuppampatti” Veeramani’s first film as an art director. The director of the film is Mr. Prabhu Rajacholan who worked as an assistant director to director Shankar in “Sivaji” and “Anniyan”. But the first film itself turned out to be a very challenging film for Veeramani sir. Because it is a story that takes place in three periods 1975, 1990’s and 2010. He showed his unique talent in his first film. He made a name for himself as a talented art director. He never asked for a chance in the films he worked on. Even today he is making films that come to him after seeing his talent.
Veeramani Ganesan sir’s second film is “Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom.”
It’s a wonderful film. The cinematographer of the film Mr. Premkumar recently directed the movie “96” which became a blockbuster hit. In fact, the story of the film “Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom” is the real life story of director Premkumar. The third film is Rummy with Vijay Sethupathi sir. It was a good movie.
The journey continues.
In 2016, I got an opportunity to work in the film “Kurungu Bommai” by the AGS manager Senthil Kumar sir. The team arranged the first meeting with director Nithilan (famous for his blockbuster film Maharaja). In that meeting, Nithilan asked Veeramani sir about the positives and negatives of his short film. Mr. Veeramani told all the positives and negatives and Nithilan liked that frank conversation. Director Nithilan immediately said, you are the art director of my film. Because you are the one who mentioned my minuses. Then they went on to film “Kurungu Pomi”. As the first task he wanted to build a slum house within two days.
It was like a trial by fire Mr. Veeramani sir did it well and the output was also good. As they said he completed the infrastructure of the house within the stipulated time. The shooting started. Director Imayam Bharathiraja Sir came and asked where you have rented such a house. This is a house created by our Art Director Veeramani Sir. Director Nithilan said that it is not a real house. Bharathiraja was shocked and called Veeramani and touched his head and praised him that you are a brilliant creator, you have wonderful taste in art. Even if you see that house in a movie now, you will admire him.
Actually “Naduvula konjam pakkatha kaanom” movie story was the real life story of director Premkumar. Third film was Rummy with Vijay Sethupathi sir. That was a good movie. The journey continues. In 2016 he got the opportunity to work in the “Kurangu Bommai” movie through Manager Senthil kumar sir.
The police station, the Kanja Karuppu character, the motorcycle, the bag with the image of the monkey were all elaborately and well designed in the “Kurangu Bommai” movie. After many years, director Nithilan praised the art direction of “Kurangu Bommai” even while giving an interview for the film “Maharaja”.
Veeramani Sir has acted in small roles in the films he is working on.
Punctuality is a good habit for Veeramani sir. That habit gave him many opportunities. S.A. Chandrasekhar Sir, Director Muthaiya, Director Ameer, Director Nithilan Swaminathan, Director Gnanavel, Actor Vijay Sethupathi and Prince Pictures have a good relationship with him.
Initially working as an artist at SAC Films, he later worked as the Art Director of SAC Films. This is Growth.
Veeramani Sir said:
In the cinema No day, no night, you must be ready to work 24/7. No personal liability. Especially in artistic movement, the mind must be very clear, intelligent, and observant.”
About Veeramani Ganesan Sir Filmography
Worked as an Art Director
Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom
VennilaVeedu
Rummy
Chrles Shafiq Karthika
Naalu Policum Nalla iruntha Oorum
Strawberry
Nayyapudai
Munnodi
Enakku Veru Engum Kilaigal Kidaiyathu
Kurangu Bommai
Kodiveeran
Devarattam
Pulikkuthhi paandi
Capmari
Vanam
Anti Indian
D Block
Run Baby Run
Thandatti
Kadhar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam
Raid
Maayavalai
Super Deluxe
Penguin
JaiBhim
LubberPanthu
Sullan Sethu
Mannangatti since1960
Coolie
Worked as assistant art director
Pokkirri
Abhiyum naanum
Inidhu inidhu
Vel
Seval
Kalavadiya pozhuthukal
singam
Payanam
and
All Kadhir sir films from 2006 to 2010
There is no such thing as an easy or difficult film and the art directors work hard on every film.
Veeramani sir does not see art direction as a job, but sees it as his life. He very carefully gives his subtle art form to every frame in his films. He sees every producer and director as God. He has always been true to them and his profession. His capital is realistic art direction.
Veeramani sir first thanks to his Assistants and his team who are working for his growth.
“If we don’t have political knowledge, we will live in vain. Everyone should learn politics. Everyone should intervene in politics”
– Veeramani Ganesan
Reference : In Person Meeting done by Abhinesh and Vazim at periyar Park Valasaravakkam with Senior Art Director Veeramani Ganeshan SIr.
Date : 04-08-2024 Monday 7.00 PM
