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        Koffee with Anu? Takers were many for that sip. In an embarrassment of riches, News Today zeroed in on director Seeman. In a free-wheeling chat over - what else but a cup of coffee in Taj Connemara - it was recording time for our correspondent

        K V Vasudevan as lensman A Prathap got busy capturing the action.

        Sharing many things in common were the guests (of honour), hailing from Paramakudi being the foremost. Honesty and forthrightness were the high point of the debate pertaining to the cinema of present genre.

        Did Anu (Hasan) carry any regrets of her film-career not taking off after Indira? 'There are no regrets in my career decisions. I was not for skimpy clothes and not in favour of falling all over the hero. Coming from a newcomer, the doors were closed for the prime slot. But had my share of fun, playing the sister of a lead actor or playing the fool in a television serial.'

        Seeman wondered if there is any formula for success in cinema as much in life? Every movie is like a new baby to him. And in his forthcoming Vazhthudiveer, the focus is on the plight of the families not having a second child. 'There is a message which cannot be shouted from the roof-top. You find the ideal mode of the medium wrapping it with the necessary ingredients.'

        Over to Anu and Seeman. Exchanges were lively and even too as they got down to business.

        Anu: You find a flux of heroines from North not looking the part in Tamil movies. Is it a reflection on the lack of talent bank in South?

        Seeman: It is difficult to generalise. You had a Kushboo who gave the top notchers in South a run for their money. Simran followed suit but the void is felt now. Unless one is comfortable with the language, the feel cannot come from the heart. In the limited span of time, the longing for some easy pickings is understandable.

        K Balachander's Naan Avanillai carried the tag of a movie much ahead of its time. Why the urge for a remake - the lead man hemmed in by five pretty damsels did make a picture in the morning dailies!

        Seeman: Monuments like Taj Mahal are evergreen which every generation could connect with. Why deprive the younger generation what we had been privileged to experience. In a debate the subject may be common but the speaker could give it a different tone.'

        Of late, Bollywood has taken a heady march over Kollywood in the realistic ways of handling issues like Chandni Bar, Page 3, Corporate and Traffic Signal. Oh! for a Madhur Bhandakar has been the feeling doing the rounds.

        Disagreeing to agree, Anu felt that what may be an issue in one place need not be in the other metropolis. 'You have to understand the varied taste of the audience. What is accepted here may not pass muster in Telugu.'

        More a rule than an exception are the item numbers. What they have to say?

        Seeman: 'You thrust anything forcibly, it will be sickening. So far, there had been no room for such numbers in my movies. Cannot rule out the possibility altogether. Directors see it as a means to have the audience rooted. I see it more as a diversion but the audience must be able to connect it with the main plot.'

        Anu: When a producer is pumping in a fortune, he has to rake in the moolah. He is no magician to pick the right card - all he banks on is to go along with the prevalent trend. You win some and lose some in tune with the change of equation.

        Seeman: These are days a director's job is made more easy. After the five fights and six songs you know the slice of available footage. Movies are like our daily menu - there had to a few must in every meal. How and what you mix make the course complete. Only in some days you get the fulfilment.'

        It was coffee time again.