Varsha Vasudev is relieved and happy that her directorial debut, Chinna Chinna Aasai, has found its audience. She is basking in the warmth and love pouring in during theatre visits. “I could witness some pure emotions, happy tears and heartwarming reactions,” says Varsha, adding, “I found many Leelas,” referring to the character, played by yesteryear actor Madhoo (Madhubala).The movie is a poignant story about companionship and understanding between two strangers, Leela, a widow from Thanjavur, and Madhavan, a Malayali retired teacher and single father, who meet in the spiritualscape of Varanasi.The 34 year old, whose tryst with direction happened with the much-appreciated short film Ente Narayanikku, a touching story set against the lockdown phase, says that the film was not a planned one. It started with a stopover at Varanasi on a whim in 2023, while returning from a six-month stay at Himachal, one of her favourite travel destinations.
Filmmaker Varsha Vasudev
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“I always thought of Varanasi as a crowded place, while I always prefer a peaceful ambience. There was a plan to visit it someday but I wanted it to happen organically. Finally when it happened, the city changed me. It was December, the best time to be in Varanasi. I felt some magic sitting by the ghats at night, watching the Ganga. Manikarnika Ghat, where cremations take place, deeply moved me. Thoughts about the transience of life changed something within me.”She felt like creating something and wrote a story. “Then I thought of capturing the feel of the place visually and that later became my script and the film. Actually I already had a story set in Himachal. But I changed the plan because of Varanasi.”
