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கனவுத் தொழிற்சாலை [Kanavu Thozhirchalai]
Set in Kollywood, or the Tamil film industry, in the 1980s, Dream Factory is a fictional chronicle of the shenanigans and the rising and falling fortunes of various players in show business. Vijay, the handsome protagonist, who is at the peak of his career as a superstar. Arumairajan, the passionate hotel waiter, who stakes everything in his life to make it big as a lyricist. Manonmani, the small-time actress, who struggles to deal with the compromises she is forced to make. Premalatha, the attractive but ageing heroine, who finds herself falling out of favour with fickle audiences even as she longs to settle down in life. Based on bestselling writer Sujatha's first-hand observations, Dream Factory is a page-turner filled with memorable characters and incidents that ring true, providing readers a no-holds-barred look into one of the world's most prolific film industries.
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About the author
Sujatha
303 books1,367 followersSujatha was the allonym of the Tamil author S. Rangarajan, Author of over 100 novels, 250 short stories, ten books on science, ten stage plays, and a slim volume of poems. He was one of the most popular authors in Tamil literature, and a regular contributor to topical columns in Tamil periodicals such as Ananda Vikatan, Kumudam and Kalki. He had a wide readership, and served for a brief period as the editor of Kumudam, and has also written screenplays and dialogues for several Tamil movies.
As an engineer, he supervised the design and production of the electronic voting machine (EVM) during his tenure at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a machine which is currently used in elections throughout India. As an author he inspired many authors, including Balakumaran, Madhan.
As an engineer, he supervised the design and production of the electronic voting machine (EVM) during his tenure at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a machine which is currently used in elections throughout India. As an author he inspired many authors, including Balakumaran, Madhan.
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June 22, 2024
Sujatha's Kanavu Thozhirchalai (Dream factory) is a hard hitting story of the ugly uneviable lives of three people associated with the film industry in 1970s. It almost seems like a snake and ladder game played out on paper - snakes in many forms as journalists, producers, loan sharks and human demons.
The book is almost a movie script from the word go - a dark, black and white bleak one from the same period. Arun is a superstar who is arrogant, gets into the gossip columns with his heroine Prema and his movies start going bad. He tries to marry his childhood sweetheart and gets turned down because of his profession. He is the sterotype alpha who wallows in self pity.
The other protagonist is Arumairajan, a waiter who wants to become a lyricist. He leaves his job and comes to Chennai with his wife and son - gives his entire money to leeches who promise an introduction with Ilayaraja. His fortunes keep changing and at one point he begs outside the station to feed his wife.
The last storyline follows a group dancer who wants to become a heroine and has to make "compromises" with so many people only to get featured in a lecherous movie. When she finally finds a genuine person who stands up for her, her fortunes turn again.
Based on several true stories, the book cannot be faulted for the grimness and the bleakness. Sujatha does a brilliant job of keeping the tone neutral despite what is happening. Having protagonists, makes this book a bit different from "Karaintha Nizhalgal" by Ashokamitran that shone light on the daily lives on the extras in the movies which had a similar theme.
A tough book that seems like an expose of the movie industry. Not much has changes it seems.
The book is almost a movie script from the word go - a dark, black and white bleak one from the same period. Arun is a superstar who is arrogant, gets into the gossip columns with his heroine Prema and his movies start going bad. He tries to marry his childhood sweetheart and gets turned down because of his profession. He is the sterotype alpha who wallows in self pity.
The other protagonist is Arumairajan, a waiter who wants to become a lyricist. He leaves his job and comes to Chennai with his wife and son - gives his entire money to leeches who promise an introduction with Ilayaraja. His fortunes keep changing and at one point he begs outside the station to feed his wife.
The last storyline follows a group dancer who wants to become a heroine and has to make "compromises" with so many people only to get featured in a lecherous movie. When she finally finds a genuine person who stands up for her, her fortunes turn again.
Based on several true stories, the book cannot be faulted for the grimness and the bleakness. Sujatha does a brilliant job of keeping the tone neutral despite what is happening. Having protagonists, makes this book a bit different from "Karaintha Nizhalgal" by Ashokamitran that shone light on the daily lives on the extras in the movies which had a similar theme.
A tough book that seems like an expose of the movie industry. Not much has changes it seems.
June 22, 2022
3.5 stars.
A fast paced and immensely readable book based on the writer's first hand experiences in the Tamil film industry, Dream Factory is a look at what happens behind the scenes of the film world.
Through four intersecting storylines, which follow characters all associated with the world if cinema, Sujatha brings to us the lives and struggles of every kind of inhabitant in this tinsel town - the sucessful hero looking for one more hit as well as love; the ageing heroine struggling to fit in a few more years in her career; a man who is willing to do anything to become a lyricist and a struggling extra who suffers various ignominies just for the right role. Besides these are the secretaries, the dupes, the do gooders and the other characters whose lives are in some way or the other attached with the main characters of the novel.
While there isn't anything new about the book per se, it is still a page turner that immerses the reader in the lives of its characters and takes them to the reality behind the manufactured dreams of this factory.
A fast paced and immensely readable book based on the writer's first hand experiences in the Tamil film industry, Dream Factory is a look at what happens behind the scenes of the film world.
Through four intersecting storylines, which follow characters all associated with the world if cinema, Sujatha brings to us the lives and struggles of every kind of inhabitant in this tinsel town - the sucessful hero looking for one more hit as well as love; the ageing heroine struggling to fit in a few more years in her career; a man who is willing to do anything to become a lyricist and a struggling extra who suffers various ignominies just for the right role. Besides these are the secretaries, the dupes, the do gooders and the other characters whose lives are in some way or the other attached with the main characters of the novel.
While there isn't anything new about the book per se, it is still a page turner that immerses the reader in the lives of its characters and takes them to the reality behind the manufactured dreams of this factory.
June 17, 2017
"மாலை மலர் விரியும் மாய எழிற் சோலை
காலை கலையும் கனவுத் தொழிற்சாலை"
இந்த இரண்டே வரிகளில் சினிமா உலகத்தை விளக்கி விட்டார் சுஜாதா.
காலை கலையும் கனவுத் தொழிற்சாலை"
இந்த இரண்டே வரிகளில் சினிமா உலகத்தை விளக்கி விட்டார் சுஜாதா.
December 28, 2022
The Tamil film business is described in the book Dream Factory. The narrative takes place in the 1980s, when Kollywood was still in its infancy. Sujatha Rangarajan's Tamil book, Dream Factory, was translated into English by Madhavan Narayanan. The Tamil film business is described in the book Dream Factory. The book opens with the life of the dashing superstar Arun Vijay, who is at the height of his success, and then gives readers a glimpse into the lives of other characters, including an enthusiastic resort servant who wants to become a famous songwriter, a comparatively tiny actress caught in unfavorable concessions, and an elderly heroine. The book gives readers a glimpse inside the movie business and details the ups and downs, hardships, and successes of its protagonists. It also tells the tale of a dream factory. This translation is a superb piece of fiction with intriguing characters and lovely narrative.
May 29, 2022
Dream Factory is a novel translated from Tamil to English. Based in Kollywood, the Tamil film industry in the 1980s, with a fictionalized account of certain players in the show business. It's from the author Sujatha (S. Rangarajan) who started writing under the name of his wife to avoid being confused with a well known writer sharing his name.
Film superstars and their stories always fascinate the common people and so do they here in this book. The book starts with the life of handsome superstar Arun Vijay, who is at the peak of his career, and proceeds with a peek into the lives of other characters- a passionate hotel waiter who aspires to make it big as a lyricist, a small time actress trapped in forceful compromises, and an ageing heroine.
The book portrays an insight into the film industry, the ups and downs in the lives of these characters, their struggles and success, a story of dream factory. With interesting characters and a beautiful narration, this piece of translation is an outstanding work of fiction. I was so engrossed into the book that I finished most of it overnight. The book includes a discussion with the author of the original book as well. It was a great ride entering the Kollywood industry, contrary to my expectations because I'm not much of a movie buff. Regardless, everything about the book is brilliant, five sparkling stars from me. And just look at that dreamy cover, just lovely!
Film superstars and their stories always fascinate the common people and so do they here in this book. The book starts with the life of handsome superstar Arun Vijay, who is at the peak of his career, and proceeds with a peek into the lives of other characters- a passionate hotel waiter who aspires to make it big as a lyricist, a small time actress trapped in forceful compromises, and an ageing heroine.
The book portrays an insight into the film industry, the ups and downs in the lives of these characters, their struggles and success, a story of dream factory. With interesting characters and a beautiful narration, this piece of translation is an outstanding work of fiction. I was so engrossed into the book that I finished most of it overnight. The book includes a discussion with the author of the original book as well. It was a great ride entering the Kollywood industry, contrary to my expectations because I'm not much of a movie buff. Regardless, everything about the book is brilliant, five sparkling stars from me. And just look at that dreamy cover, just lovely!
August 23, 2022
Dream Factory is a story of countless sacrifices, struggles, and dreams, both lived and lost! It is a story that revolves around the theater, films, and drama, and yet is only as dramatic as real life is!
The characters written by Sujatha (pseudonym of author S. Rangarajan) are here to stay. They are believable, sometimes relatable, and more than anything, they are memorable!❤
There is a good mix of superstars and struggling artists trying to make it big in the industry. There is Arun Vijay, who is a leading superstar in Kollywood, Arumairajan, a hotel waiter who aspires to be a famous lyricist, Manonmani, a small-time actress trying to come to terms with the compromises she is being forced to make, and Premlatha, an attractive but aging heroine trying to cope up with falling out of favor with the audience.
We get to see:-
🎬Their struggles and sacrifices
🎬The impact of the film industry on their relationships and lives
🎬Their dreams, some fulfilled while others crushed
I got totally invested in it from the very first page! One doesn't have to be a cinephile to enjoy reading this gem! The translation is really fluid and vivid. It was only towards the end that I remembered that it was originally written in Tamil while reading the translator's note.
You would expect a book that revolves around a film industry to have a filmy ending, right?! But no, this book offers you an ending that is realistic, and that just adds to its beauty!❤
This book and its characters are definitely going to stay with me for a long time!
Kudos to @madhavannarayanan for doing such a brilliant job in translating this gem! I loved reading the translator's note and the insights from the author's conversations with different actors.
The characters written by Sujatha (pseudonym of author S. Rangarajan) are here to stay. They are believable, sometimes relatable, and more than anything, they are memorable!❤
There is a good mix of superstars and struggling artists trying to make it big in the industry. There is Arun Vijay, who is a leading superstar in Kollywood, Arumairajan, a hotel waiter who aspires to be a famous lyricist, Manonmani, a small-time actress trying to come to terms with the compromises she is being forced to make, and Premlatha, an attractive but aging heroine trying to cope up with falling out of favor with the audience.
We get to see:-
🎬Their struggles and sacrifices
🎬The impact of the film industry on their relationships and lives
🎬Their dreams, some fulfilled while others crushed
I got totally invested in it from the very first page! One doesn't have to be a cinephile to enjoy reading this gem! The translation is really fluid and vivid. It was only towards the end that I remembered that it was originally written in Tamil while reading the translator's note.
You would expect a book that revolves around a film industry to have a filmy ending, right?! But no, this book offers you an ending that is realistic, and that just adds to its beauty!❤
This book and its characters are definitely going to stay with me for a long time!
Kudos to @madhavannarayanan for doing such a brilliant job in translating this gem! I loved reading the translator's note and the insights from the author's conversations with different actors.
July 15, 2014
A brilliant take on Kollywood, this novel deserves a movie version. The good news for the one who wants to make a movie out of this novel is that not much editing is needed in the novel except for replacing mammoth and immovable telephones with mobiles . Deeply ground in the realities of 80s yet ahead of it's times- that's Sujatha for you !
June 28, 2022
Quite a unique reading this was for me. The book 'Dream Factory' is like a Bollywood masala story captured in a book with a strong reflection on the offscreen stories of film industry. We have the main protagonist Arun Vijay, who is an established actor in the Kollywood film industry. He is undefeatable, arrogant and a successful actor who is marking a strong presence in the industry through his back-to-back hit films. On the same industry there is Premalatha who, though have worked on multiple films still is struggling to make an impact on the audience through her acting. But through an encounter on the sets of their film in making these two actors decides to join their paths and then continue in a journey together. But the twist here lies. It's not a happy ending that will make the readers adore these two lovebirds’ journey and end the book with a smile on their face. The author goes deeper into the concept of how married actor or actresses’ lives were impacted especially during 80's and 90's duration. Fluctuation of emotions and hasty decisions can turn the life of an actor upside down and this can be very well understood through this book.
Apart from Premalatha and Arun there were other characters who had impactful and also at the same time sour journey behind their success. One such story is that of Arumairajan who by the blessing of his faith and art of using words became a famous lyricist, but this success came at a cost. The cost of losing a family. I won't further elaborate the plotline and leave it to you guys to read and explore the book on your own.
'Dream Factory' is an intricate story that weaves multiple characters portraying different roles yet affecting each other’s life indirectly in this vast world of Kollywood film industry. The entertainment industry does looks flashy but this glamour sometimes comes at a huge cost. The cost of personal choice, mental peace and sometimes desirable foods. Every sacrifice becomes worth it because of making one more flamboyant and alluring. I feel the author does justice in his attempt to make a portrayal of the activities on what goes beyond the area of onscreen in an entertainment industry. He makes the story even more interesting through inclusion of various supporting characters who helped in the story building and development of characters. Madhavan Narayan too have beautifully translated the book into English and I believe this will make this book accessible to even a larger audience.
Apart from Premalatha and Arun there were other characters who had impactful and also at the same time sour journey behind their success. One such story is that of Arumairajan who by the blessing of his faith and art of using words became a famous lyricist, but this success came at a cost. The cost of losing a family. I won't further elaborate the plotline and leave it to you guys to read and explore the book on your own.
'Dream Factory' is an intricate story that weaves multiple characters portraying different roles yet affecting each other’s life indirectly in this vast world of Kollywood film industry. The entertainment industry does looks flashy but this glamour sometimes comes at a huge cost. The cost of personal choice, mental peace and sometimes desirable foods. Every sacrifice becomes worth it because of making one more flamboyant and alluring. I feel the author does justice in his attempt to make a portrayal of the activities on what goes beyond the area of onscreen in an entertainment industry. He makes the story even more interesting through inclusion of various supporting characters who helped in the story building and development of characters. Madhavan Narayan too have beautifully translated the book into English and I believe this will make this book accessible to even a larger audience.
October 19, 2022
I culminated a mini yet recurring obsession for cinema and it’s shenanigans with this book, off the top of my head, it was definitely engaging.
Parts of it weren’t as continuous, and some of it struck me as cliche as well; generic tropes adopted while portraying the world of the lens.
This however was superseded by a few things i learnt towards the end of the book.
a) the writer Sujatha wrote this in the 80s or prior to that. so essentially all the tropes that i noticed, it is highly likely that he wrote them first!
b) also fascinating is that the writer was among the engineers who worked on the EVM.
Above all, some of the emotions were truly visceral.
Translation into english might have taken away a little bit of the flavour, but an interesting read nevertheless.
Parts of it weren’t as continuous, and some of it struck me as cliche as well; generic tropes adopted while portraying the world of the lens.
This however was superseded by a few things i learnt towards the end of the book.
a) the writer Sujatha wrote this in the 80s or prior to that. so essentially all the tropes that i noticed, it is highly likely that he wrote them first!
b) also fascinating is that the writer was among the engineers who worked on the EVM.
Above all, some of the emotions were truly visceral.
Translation into english might have taken away a little bit of the flavour, but an interesting read nevertheless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2025
I read this in English translation. As a serialized novel, it delivers twists and turns almost every chapter. While melodramatic, its treatment resembles a thriller film, written in a screenplay-like style. Set in 1980s Kollywood, the story is compelling because we root for both good and evil characters. Sujatha brilliantly captures the essence of Kollywood, blending real-life incidents with myth to make the narrative feel authentic.
July 2, 2022
Are you a cinephile? Do you enjoy going out for a movie or chilling at home watching Netflix?
Dream factory is a novel which tells us about the Tamil movie industry. The story is set in the eighties and we can witness the raw essence of Kollywood. Dream factory is a translated work of a Tamil novel written by Sujatha Rangarajan and translated by Madhavan Narayanan. The book is a really interesting and well translated piece of work.
The plot is really engaging and real. The real life situations and context make the novel a page-turner. The book is a platter of diverse characters.
Arun Vijay is the protagonist who is a superstar at the peak of his career. We also have many other characters, like Manomani, Premalatha, Arumairanjan and so on. It is interesting to note that all the characters are really different yet share a common passion and love for the film industry.
We could see how difficult it was for the budding artists to follow their dreams during that time period. The author tries to capture details of his observations throughout this novel. The plot is really gripping and enjoyable. I recommend this book to all cinephiles out there.
Dream factory is a novel which tells us about the Tamil movie industry. The story is set in the eighties and we can witness the raw essence of Kollywood. Dream factory is a translated work of a Tamil novel written by Sujatha Rangarajan and translated by Madhavan Narayanan. The book is a really interesting and well translated piece of work.
The plot is really engaging and real. The real life situations and context make the novel a page-turner. The book is a platter of diverse characters.
Arun Vijay is the protagonist who is a superstar at the peak of his career. We also have many other characters, like Manomani, Premalatha, Arumairanjan and so on. It is interesting to note that all the characters are really different yet share a common passion and love for the film industry.
We could see how difficult it was for the budding artists to follow their dreams during that time period. The author tries to capture details of his observations throughout this novel. The plot is really gripping and enjoyable. I recommend this book to all cinephiles out there.
November 12, 2014
"Kanavu Thozhirchalai" , the book which is worth the quote "Must Read". A fictional story on the basement of non fictional incidents happened during 70s to 80s Tamil Cinema. The sequence in each chapters are happened/happening/will happen in cinema industry forever. Sujatha done a tons of research before writing this book. Instead of prologue, there is brief converasation between Sujatha, Actress Lakshmi and Director Mahendran which was interesting. Ending of each characters are awesome. Especially the end card of Love between Arun Vijay and Kalyani, extreme realistic. Pinnal Mannan Sujatha _/\_
September 25, 2015
Neatly written narration - I read this while it was published in Vikatan Weekly serial. Nothing has changed in the Tamil Film World.
"'அபத்தம் ! இந்தப் படத்தில் என்ன இருக்குனு புரியலை பாஸ்கர் , புரியவே இல்லை. இன்னிக்கும் பிரமிப்பா இருக்கு !'
'இந்த ஃபீல்டில் புரிஞ்சுக்கிறதுக்கே முயற்சி பண்ணக்கூடாது .'"
"'அபத்தம் ! இந்தப் படத்தில் என்ன இருக்குனு புரியலை பாஸ்கர் , புரியவே இல்லை. இன்னிக்கும் பிரமிப்பா இருக்கு !'
'இந்த ஃபீல்டில் புரிஞ்சுக்கிறதுக்கே முயற்சி பண்ணக்கூடாது .'"
July 3, 2022
Dream Factory’ is a story that captures beyond the camera lives of the people associated with the film industry. Set in the period of 80’s and 90’s Kollywood film industry the book starts with an adamant and arrogant actor name Arun Vijay who trough his successful film projects have made a huge impact and a strong foothold on the industry. Even though he has a flashy life that is like a dream for millions yet he is more like a lonely soul desperate for love. Searching for love and his long-lost childhood love story, he happens to have an encounter with Premalatha who too is his colleague in this film industry. Their encounter wasn’t like a normal actor actress meet in the sets of shooting, but it went further into them declaring their marriage to the whole industry and getting official. This might look like a fairy tale but is actually less of a fairy tale and more about the struggles the actor actresses go through remain in the industry. Few give up unable to fight with their patience and few stay. There are people like Arumairajan who through his dedication to his passion made a breakthrough, but at the same time there were actresses like Manonmani who even after several appearances couldn’t see herself becoming the person that she always wants to and so she had to give up.
I felt the book was a very impactful read according to me because it focuses 360degree into the lives of every person involved in a film industry. It takes into account their pains, and struggleful journey that meets various sacrifices to make themselves sustainable. The writer has included various aspects of an actor’s life that could influence them starting from the childhood to upbring. There were other supporting characters in this book that makes this story more interesting and worth a page turner. The translator of the book Madhavan Narayan did an applauding job in his assigned work by substituting the book with beautiful English words. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
I felt the book was a very impactful read according to me because it focuses 360degree into the lives of every person involved in a film industry. It takes into account their pains, and struggleful journey that meets various sacrifices to make themselves sustainable. The writer has included various aspects of an actor’s life that could influence them starting from the childhood to upbring. There were other supporting characters in this book that makes this story more interesting and worth a page turner. The translator of the book Madhavan Narayan did an applauding job in his assigned work by substituting the book with beautiful English words. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
August 14, 2022
🅱🅾🅾🅺 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆
𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚
🆀🅾🆃🅳#: Did you watch book adaptation, if yes which one is your favourite ?
#AOTD#: I do not like to watch.
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ: Sujatha
ꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ: Kindle/ Paperback
ᴘᴀɢᴇꜱ/ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀꜱ: 360
ᴘᴜʙʟɪꜱʜᴇʀ: HarperCollins India.
ɢᴇɴʀᴇ: Indian writing
Set in the backdrop of the Tamil Film industry, the Dream Factory book is the translation piece from Telugu to English.
The book has kept its plot from 1980’s Kollywood movie industry and its insight.
Dream Factory is the story about the sacrifices, struggles and dreams as well. Since, the book has been set in the background of film industry, thus you will feel the range of the characters from dreamy to failures which truly does the justice to the theme of the book.
Like as every industry story this book has also infused the struggles and trying to make the big in the industry. The insights shared in the book are really captivating and close to the reality as well.
The book ponders on the several facets about the showbiz industry and it succeed quite well in capturing the readers’ attention. The author has also captured some controversial aspects like casting couch and different class perspective from the industry.
Since, the book has been written with the third person’s perspective, thus it loses the sight of its reader and it became difficult to hold the attention for its readers. As it changes the timelines and perspective quite frequently. The language is really captivating and narration goes with flow pretty well.
I should not forget to praise the lovely book cover which reflects the exact 80’s vibes.
The book flows smoothly with crisp narration throughout which will grip the attention of the reader till the last flip of the page.
- #readwithbindu
- #reviewwithbindu
- - #bookwormbindz
𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚
🆀🅾🆃🅳#: Did you watch book adaptation, if yes which one is your favourite ?
#AOTD#: I do not like to watch.
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ: Sujatha
ꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ: Kindle/ Paperback
ᴘᴀɢᴇꜱ/ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀꜱ: 360
ᴘᴜʙʟɪꜱʜᴇʀ: HarperCollins India.
ɢᴇɴʀᴇ: Indian writing
Set in the backdrop of the Tamil Film industry, the Dream Factory book is the translation piece from Telugu to English.
The book has kept its plot from 1980’s Kollywood movie industry and its insight.
Dream Factory is the story about the sacrifices, struggles and dreams as well. Since, the book has been set in the background of film industry, thus you will feel the range of the characters from dreamy to failures which truly does the justice to the theme of the book.
Like as every industry story this book has also infused the struggles and trying to make the big in the industry. The insights shared in the book are really captivating and close to the reality as well.
The book ponders on the several facets about the showbiz industry and it succeed quite well in capturing the readers’ attention. The author has also captured some controversial aspects like casting couch and different class perspective from the industry.
Since, the book has been written with the third person’s perspective, thus it loses the sight of its reader and it became difficult to hold the attention for its readers. As it changes the timelines and perspective quite frequently. The language is really captivating and narration goes with flow pretty well.
I should not forget to praise the lovely book cover which reflects the exact 80’s vibes.
The book flows smoothly with crisp narration throughout which will grip the attention of the reader till the last flip of the page.
- #readwithbindu
- #reviewwithbindu
- - #bookwormbindz
Read
June 5, 2022Dream Factory
Aurhor: Sujata
Translated by Madhavan Narayanan
Genre: Fiction
Published by HarperPerenial (An Imprint of HarperCollins)
MRP: Rs. 399/-
S. Rangarajan , better known by his allonym Sujatha, was an Indian author, novelist and screenwriter who wrote in Tamil. He authored over 100 novels, 250 short stories, ten books on science, ten stage plays, and a slim volume of poems. He was one of the most popular authors in Tamil literature, and a regular contributor to topical columns in Tamil periodicals such as Ananda Vikatan, Kumudam and Kalki. He had a wide readership, and served for a brief period as the editor of Kumudam, and has also written screenplays and dialogues for several Tamil films.
Madhavan Narayanan is a senior journalist who has covered politics, diplomacy, business, technology and other subjects in a long career that has spanned organisations including Reuters, Business Standard and Hindustan Times. He is currently an independent writer , columnist, editor and commentator.
I haven't read the original book, Kanavu Thozhirchilai, written in Tamil, so i cannot comment on how the translation compares with the original work, but i can mention that my reading experience was very pleasant and i did not feel anywhere that i was losing out reading a translation.
Set in the 80’s with the Tamil Film industry as the backdrop, the book dwelves into the various facets of the business through the perspectives of several characters. The protagonist, Arun Vijay is the hottest thing around, the most in-demand actor of his age at the time and is at the peak of his career. Despite appearances, he is a very arrogant person. He meets his childhood sweethear, Kalyani, by chance in the studios and goes to ask for her hand to her father. His father rejects him, primarily because of his job, and secondarily (this is my assumption) because of his arrogance. Heartbroken(well…), he decides to marry his co-star Premlatha and Kalyani gets married to a bank clerk. The author also tackles some serious issues such as casting couch and the industry from a middle class perspective.
The book is written from a third person’s perspective and the forth wall is broken at times. The book is very well written and the plot is also gripping. But i did have some issues . The storyline shifts very abruptly at places, especially at at peak emotional moments between characters, it might be an attempt to hook the reader and can work if done in balance, but here it was overdone. Also , while i read a fictional book, it plays like a movie in my head, i imagine the characters and the world very clearly. But here , in some instances , i felt that the emotions of the characters were not fully written translated on paper. I became very tough to relate with the character.
The book portrays the bad and ugly side of stardom, the functioning of the censor board at the time and various other aspects of the industry. The book is indeed griping and i had a good time reading it.
Aurhor: Sujata
Translated by Madhavan Narayanan
Genre: Fiction
Published by HarperPerenial (An Imprint of HarperCollins)
MRP: Rs. 399/-
S. Rangarajan , better known by his allonym Sujatha, was an Indian author, novelist and screenwriter who wrote in Tamil. He authored over 100 novels, 250 short stories, ten books on science, ten stage plays, and a slim volume of poems. He was one of the most popular authors in Tamil literature, and a regular contributor to topical columns in Tamil periodicals such as Ananda Vikatan, Kumudam and Kalki. He had a wide readership, and served for a brief period as the editor of Kumudam, and has also written screenplays and dialogues for several Tamil films.
Madhavan Narayanan is a senior journalist who has covered politics, diplomacy, business, technology and other subjects in a long career that has spanned organisations including Reuters, Business Standard and Hindustan Times. He is currently an independent writer , columnist, editor and commentator.
I haven't read the original book, Kanavu Thozhirchilai, written in Tamil, so i cannot comment on how the translation compares with the original work, but i can mention that my reading experience was very pleasant and i did not feel anywhere that i was losing out reading a translation.
Set in the 80’s with the Tamil Film industry as the backdrop, the book dwelves into the various facets of the business through the perspectives of several characters. The protagonist, Arun Vijay is the hottest thing around, the most in-demand actor of his age at the time and is at the peak of his career. Despite appearances, he is a very arrogant person. He meets his childhood sweethear, Kalyani, by chance in the studios and goes to ask for her hand to her father. His father rejects him, primarily because of his job, and secondarily (this is my assumption) because of his arrogance. Heartbroken(well…), he decides to marry his co-star Premlatha and Kalyani gets married to a bank clerk. The author also tackles some serious issues such as casting couch and the industry from a middle class perspective.
The book is written from a third person’s perspective and the forth wall is broken at times. The book is very well written and the plot is also gripping. But i did have some issues . The storyline shifts very abruptly at places, especially at at peak emotional moments between characters, it might be an attempt to hook the reader and can work if done in balance, but here it was overdone. Also , while i read a fictional book, it plays like a movie in my head, i imagine the characters and the world very clearly. But here , in some instances , i felt that the emotions of the characters were not fully written translated on paper. I became very tough to relate with the character.
The book portrays the bad and ugly side of stardom, the functioning of the censor board at the time and various other aspects of the industry. The book is indeed griping and i had a good time reading it.
October 6, 2023
Set in 1980s Kollywood, Dream Factory is a fictional story that chronicles the life of a popular actor and others whom he encounters. The story centres on 4 main protagonists - Vijay (superstar actor), Arumairajan (passionate lyricist), Manomani (small time actress) and Kalyani (Vijay's boyhood crush).
In pulp fiction style, the story weaves in and out of the lives of these characters, tracing their ups and downs. The story does provide a no-holds-barred look into the Tamil film industry of yesteryears but something was missing. The attitude of the people involved is raw but I did feel it was highly caricatured.
It's a quick read book with no real depth to dwell in. The story is more worried about progressing in time than its characters and their development. I suppose it might have sounded better in Tamil but in translation something was definitely lost.
In pulp fiction style, the story weaves in and out of the lives of these characters, tracing their ups and downs. The story does provide a no-holds-barred look into the Tamil film industry of yesteryears but something was missing. The attitude of the people involved is raw but I did feel it was highly caricatured.
It's a quick read book with no real depth to dwell in. The story is more worried about progressing in time than its characters and their development. I suppose it might have sounded better in Tamil but in translation something was definitely lost.
August 14, 2022
When I showed my grandad, dad and rest of my family I was reading Sujatha’s Dream Factory, they immediately recollected when they first read this novel in its original Tamil with a grand smile.
Such is the power and mass appeal of Sujatha’s writings, the love the Tamil masses have for him. And luckily, Madhavan Narayanan has done a stellar job in translating this work, so that it’s original (I’m assuming here) brilliance is still retained.
It is so addictive, thoroughly exciting, mixing features of literary novel with pulp fiction, out and out page turner! Leapt through 100 pages a day. These characters will stay with me for weeks.
Easy 5 stars.
Such is the power and mass appeal of Sujatha’s writings, the love the Tamil masses have for him. And luckily, Madhavan Narayanan has done a stellar job in translating this work, so that it’s original (I’m assuming here) brilliance is still retained.
It is so addictive, thoroughly exciting, mixing features of literary novel with pulp fiction, out and out page turner! Leapt through 100 pages a day. These characters will stay with me for weeks.
Easy 5 stars.
March 27, 2024
While written well, I could not connect with all the characters and their emotions. Definitely pulled off being an immersive commentary on the Tamil film industry, but a tad out of sense for someone like me. I cannot imagine any of this being the ordinary working of a movie-making factory, seems like another drama waiting to be scripted and set into film. Perhaps that is the point. Kinda like Shirobako but what Dream Factory has over Shirobako is that it zooms in on the ugly disguised as pretty. Also, misogyny much? I cannot get over how Arun basically bulldozes through Kalyani's life cause he thinks he's just THAT guy. Maybe he is but nu-uh.
December 31, 2017
The story revolves around characters who are either matinee idols or wannabe stars in cine industry. We all would've heard of stories as to cinema stars, aspiring stars and their lives but we would have hardly come across a novel in Tamil about the same. Kanavu Thozhirsalai is all about that. But the wonder is, despite lapse of four decades, Sujatha doesn't fail even a bit to impress the reader with his signature catchy and fast-paced writing leaving the reader to delve into the story and see the characters in live. Any fan of contemporaneous novels will relish reading this novel.
January 12, 2023
I always pick up a translated book with some trepidation. You can never be sure if the feel of the original can be retained by the author.
I can safely say that Dream Factory does not disappoint on this score. It is a breezy read and yet manages to paint the picture of ‘Kollywood’ in the 60s and 70s quite well.
I can safely say that Dream Factory does not disappoint on this score. It is a breezy read and yet manages to paint the picture of ‘Kollywood’ in the 60s and 70s quite well.
November 22, 2023
Lost momentum in the middle and abandoned for a couple of months, which I think was because the storyline kept shifting abruptly and it was hard to stay connected. Otherwise I really enjoyed diving into the world and characters of the Tamil film industry in the 80s that Sujatha recreates so well. Unlike the films, no one’s story ties up neatly.
May 24, 2024
A cracking book that immerses you in the 1980s Tamil film industry from the first page! I very much enjoyed the characters, they felt true to real-life film stars, and the plot was engaging. Manomani was a great character, I really felt for her and understood her struggles. It's a book of intertwining characters and plots that feels like an actual Tamil film.
July 1, 2018
A very intense story that stays lively owing to a very dispassionate and unsympathetic writing style.. My first Sujatha novel and it is a sixer! Will appeal to both mainstream readers and those with 'literary' sensibilities!"
September 29, 2020
எத்தொழிற்சாலையிலும் இவ்வளவு கனவுகள் நிறைவேறவும், நிராகரிக்கவும் முடியாது. அவ்வாறு நடப்பதால் என்னவோ இது கனவுத் தொழிற்சாலையாக இருக்கிறது...
என்ன வேண்டுமானாலும், எப்போது வேண்டுமானாலும், யாருக்கு வேண்டுமானாலும் நடக்கலாம்...
(ஏ)மாற்றமும் ஏக்கமும் நிறைந்ததுதானே சினிமா வாழ்க்கை...
என்ன வேண்டுமானாலும், எப்போது வேண்டுமானாலும், யாருக்கு வேண்டுமானாலும் நடக்கலாம்...
(ஏ)மாற்றமும் ஏக்கமும் நிறைந்ததுதானே சினிமா வாழ்க்கை...
July 15, 2018
This novel is about Tamil film industry. Definitely not Sujatha's best but was a very engaging and quick read. Book is strictly for Sujatha's fans
July 24, 2018
A practical bird's eye view of Kodambaakam. Worth the read.
July 21, 2020
Interesting quick read.
January 3, 2021
சினிமா உலகை மையப்படுத்தி எழுதப்பட்ட புனைவு இது.
கேமராமுன் இருப்போரும், கேமராபின் இருப்போரும் கேமரா இல்லாதபோது விதியின் கதாபாத்திரங்களாய் ஆசைகளாலும், அகங்காரத்தாலும் நிகழ்த்தும் நாடகமே இந்த ‘கனவுத் தொழிற்சாலை’.
கேமராமுன் இருப்போரும், கேமராபின் இருப்போரும் கேமரா இல்லாதபோது விதியின் கதாபாத்திரங்களாய் ஆசைகளாலும், அகங்காரத்தாலும் நிகழ்த்தும் நாடகமே இந்த ‘கனவுத் தொழிற்சாலை’.
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