The team behind the YouTube channel Eruma Saani were sure that it would be the name that would make viewers do a double take. Well, at least that was before each of their videos averaged two million views. Having uploaded 15 videos on their playlist, the first of which was released this April, they are now gearing up for their first feature film titled Odavum Mudiyadhu, Oliyavum Mudiyadhu. “While we were still in college, we were sure that we would land a feature film as soon as we graduated,” says Kishore K Kumar, one of the founders of the channel, with a laugh, explaining that he along with the other founders—Vijay Kumar and Aaron Philip (also the manager), worked on multiple short films while in college with hopes of signing a movie. “We were quite silly with our ambitions back then. But, then again, that was what led us to start Eruma Saani.”
Easy does it
The simplicity and relatability of their themes — condition of committed boys, condition of couples on a date, condition after a breakup, English vs Tamil — has pervaded popular social media not only in Coimbatore but, across the state, where dialogues from the videos have turned into memes. “We’ve taken cues from channels like AIB and TVF, but have stuck to dealing with non-serious topics. There are other channels that deal with serious content humorously and do a fantastic job with it. That is a market that we are not looking at taking on,” shares Kishore.
As you like it
A five-member team that has now grown into a ten-member group, the main cast of their videos — Vijay Kumar and Harija R — remain a constant, with the storylines developed around these characters. While the team does spend time with cinematographer Joshua J Perez, director Ramesh Venkat, Malhar Hussain and editor Mohammad Thoufiq discussing scripts, Kishore credits improv with some of the funniest scenes. Shot in and around the city, the Eruma Saani team usually does their shoots near the alma mater of the founders, Lisieux and PSG CAS.
As for 2018, while the team is working on their feature, Kishore tells us that plans are on to release videos every three weeks.