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| Director Jayadevi's new film - 'Power of Women' |
 "I produced my first film at the age of 21. I have acted in about 20 films. At the age of 27 I directed my first film". This is Jayadevi - actress-producer-director. Though there have been women directors before her, and later too - like Lakshmi, Jayachitra, Suhasini and cinematographer Vijayalakshmi - they almost gave up after their initial endeavours. But Jayadevi has been more consistent, having directed about five films - four in Tamil and one in Telugu. She is on to directing her sixth venture titled 'Power of Women'. And she has managed to rope in singer Hariharan to play the central role. Khushbu and Kausalya play the female leads. Jayadevi shares some of her experiences, thoughts, and talks about her new film.
Q: Why aren't many women directors around?
J: Direction is a responsible job. There are 24 departments to be handled. A director should be like a captain, able to command and also have knowledge of all the departments. It is a strenuous job, and not many women can handle it.
Q: How do you manage?
J: I've been a producer since I was 21, and have acted in about 20 films. Acting was not my passion, but I took it up to learn about all the aspects of filmmaking. It gave me a lot of valuable experience, working with so many directors. Now I'm 39, and it is like I'm directing my first film, though technically it's my sixth. My earlier films were like stepping stones and it is only with this film that I feel I've become a full-fledged director.
Q: Why did you choose this title?
 J: Suppression of women is not confined to India alone. It's an international phenomenon. Some women are more privileged and manage to move up the ladder. But they are only about 5%. Social taboos and customs, legal and political system, are all responsible for this. My film deals with women's liberation. Since it's an international concept I've kept the title in English.
Q: What is the story about?
J: Most of the story takes place in Canada and a part in Tamil Nadu. A girl from a village here marries and goes to Canada. The hero is a renowned singer and painter living in Canada. The girl has some unfortunate experiences in Canada. She is a carnatic musician, and this brings her close to the hero. They strike a friendship and he helps her out in her problems. Through his art, he dedicates his life to the liberation of women.
Q: What made you choose
Hariharan?
 J: I didn't want a routine face for my character. Secondly, Hariharan being a singer could grasp my concept and feelings. When he heard the story, he promptly accepted to do it. I'm planning it as a bi-lingual in Tamil and Hindi. I'm also planning to sub-title it in English, and send it for the Toronto Film Festival. So a face like Hariharan's helps.
Jayadevi is planning to shoot the film in August with the first schedule in Canada. Hariharan would be naturally singing his own songs, and the recording is scheduled for August 15th. The supporting cast has Manivannan, Manorama, Janakaraj, Riaz Khan. Vidyasagar composes the tunes; Ashok Kumar cranks the camera, while Rambo Rajkumar choreographs the stunts. Jayadevi who has earlier directed 'Mattravai Neril', 'Vaa Intha Pakkam', 'Nandri Meendum Varuga', 'Vilangu Meen', etc. writes, directs and produces this film.
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