Pre-independence era brought live in Lingaa

Production designer Sabu Cyril, Sunday we saw him in the ‘Baahubali’ team’s special video for ‘Memu Saitham’ event rolling chapatis with Rana. Going by looks, the man seems to be very simple and very ordinary like any other person. But this is the same man who had made a 100 foot statue for Rajamouli’s upcoming magnum opus. Before ‘Baahubali’ hits theatres, Sabu Cyril is going to enthrall with his sheer craft with ‘Lingaa’.

This is the second time he is working for a Rajinikanth film. The previous one was ‘Robo’ (Enthiran). The fact that he is a four time National Award winner speaks volumes on his adeptness at the craft. Since ‘Lingaa’ is partly a period film, many of the structures of that era had to be made and he clarifies that all that really can’t be brought alive with computer graphics work. If the structures involve physically interactive scenes with actors, then CG doesn’t help much.

For ‘Lingaa’, this production designer had to build a whole dam of 50 feet high in 30 acres and dismantle it to be shot in reverse. He also had to make a train of the model in pre-independence era in a railway station set. He had to create full interiors of a palace for some scenes. The real challenge is to choose locations and then go for set design. And for ‘Lingaa’, it was a high pressure task as the film was completed within six months time. This time, audiences are going to see many of his first time structures made to reflect the pre-independence mood. Seems another National Award is making its way to Sabu Cyril.