'Mercury' first silent film in three decades

Mercury features dancing sensation Prabhu Deva with a host of younger actors. It is the first silent film in India after 30 years.

The last silent film was the Kamal Haasan starrer 'Pushpaka Vimana,' shot in Bengaluru. It remains etched in memory for many.

Karthik Subbaraj, the director of 'Mercury', says, "I was waiting for the right script to come along and after I wrote 'Mercury', I couldn't wait to turn it into a silent film. Everything you know about making a film changes when you deal with a silent film."

The film deals with how industrial waste is dumped on the outskirts of any city.

"It talks about how corporates exploit villages in the name of development and progress. The ill-effects of toxic waste are visible in several parts of the country and many people are affected by this sort of mindless development," he adds.

Karthik has very carefully chosen his actors. Prabhu Deva, Shashank Purushotham, and Remya Nambeesan, are playing pivotal roles. He feels there is something unique about Prabhu Deva's body language.

"I've been in awe of his dance, choreography, and direction. But I knew beneath all that, there was an actor waiting to be unleashed. I wanted to tap into that. And I did. The result is a performance of a lifetime," says Karthik.

The director doesn't want to reveal Remya's role and prefers to keep it under wraps.

"Remya has a small, but significant role to play. I wanted someone popular to play the character and I found the perfect match in Remya. She has done full justice to her role," he adds.
The film is being presented across Karnataka by actor Rakshit Shetty and producer Pushkara Mallikarjunaiah. They say they wanted to bring this film to the audience here.

"It's a visually powerful film and I don't think it should be missed. The victims of industrial toxic waste are still out there somewhere and they will be able to connect with the situations shown in the film. There's a strong social message at the end of it," says Pushkara. 'Mercury' will see a worldwide release.

'Mercury' in 100+ theatres
The film is being presented in Karnataka at an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh. It will release in 50 multiplexes across the state and in 80 single-screen theatres. The presenters of the film have got a Kannada censor certificate

Actor-director Rakshit Shetty, says "We wanted to bring 'Mercury' to Karnataka because we want to retain the bond and friendship with makers of other languages industries and our language. I found the background score and sound effects of the film to be interesting. It is sure to keep you at the edge-of-the-seat. I would love to act in a silent film someday."

Remya Nambeesan, "Sharing screen space with Prabhu Deva is the best thing that has happened to me. I am not seen throughout the film, but the portions that I appear are significant in taking the film forward."

Prabhu Deva on 'Mercury'
"I've closely been following Karthik Subbaraj's work. When he narrated 'Mercury', I felt alive. The fact that it was a silent film was exciting. I've faced numerous challenges in choreography and direction, but this was the opportunity to challenge myself." About the challenges he faced, Prabhu, says "We've grown up watching only films with dialogues. The emotions in our film work largely only due to dialogues. But when no words are said, when the silence lingers the impact is even more. As an actor, I unlearnt everything I knew and approached it like a child. And I think it had worked. I'm excited to know what the audience think of it."