Exclusive Interview: Kumaran Sundaram Talks About making of ‘Karuvanam’

tor Proposed Headline: From Concept to Screen: Kumaran Sundaram Talks About the Making of Mediacorp’s Karuvanam

“Karuvanam”, a Tamil supernatural thriller series produced by Mediacorp airs on Youtube every week.

The cast of “Karuvanam” includes Udaya Soundari as Shalini, Jayshree Vijayan as Meera, Vignesh Wadarajan as Adhitya Gunasekaran, and Veeraraghavan as Bima.

The series is produced by Suvita Josette Rama and directed by Kumaran Sundaram. The series also features music by Karaneeswaran S and cinematography by Clement You

Mediacorp’s latest Tamil supernatural drama “Karuvanam” is available on mewatch (PG13) and Mediacorp Drama at YouTube (M18).

Director Kumaran Sundaram open up about the making of the series to PanAsiaBiz. Here is the exclusive interview

What drew you to produce “Karuvanam”, and what makes this supernatural drama stand out in today’s entertainment landscape?

I’ve written and directed across many genres in my career, but horror is something I haven’t explored before. As a storyteller, I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of folklore and contemporary life. What sets this series apart is its cultural context. It’s not just about jump scares or thrilling moments; it’s about exploring generational legacies, human emotions, and moral dilemmas. I believe this blend of the supernatural with real human connections is what makes “Karuvanam” unique in today’s entertainment landscape.

As the executive producer, how did you ensure the production maintained a balance between the eerie supernatural elements and the culturally rich narrative?

The supernatural elements were carefully crafted to complement, and not to overshadow the cultural aspects of the narrative. I also focused on storytelling techniques such as slow-building suspense and visual symbolism to seamlessly integrate the scary elements. The goal was to create a world where the supernatural felt like a natural extension of the characters’ lives and histories.

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What were some of the most significant challenges you faced during the production of ‘Karuvanam’, and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges was creating the world of “Karuvanam” within a tight budget. Another challenge was ensuring the script resonated emotionally while remaining true to the supernatural genre.

The visual storytelling in ‘Karuvanam’ is integral to its suspenseful atmosphere. Can you share insights into the creative process behind the set design and cinematography?

For the set design, we incorporated elements like antique furniture, earthy textures, and muted tones to evoke a sense of history and mystery. The cinematography relied on shadows, low lighting, and dynamic moving shots to amplify the tension. We also used symbolism in the framing—mirrors, doorways, and blurred edges often represented the blurred line between reality and the supernatural. It was a collaborative effort with the Director Of Photography to make every frame visually arresting.

With ‘Karuvanam’ being available on both mewatch and YouTube, how did you strategise to make it accessible and appealing to a diverse audience?

On Mediacorp’s digital platform mewatch, we aimed to reach dedicated fans of Mediacorp dramas who enjoy consuming content ahead of its free-to-air release and prefer to binge-watch a few episodes at a time. On Mediacorp Drama at YouTube, we connected with a wide global audience through strategic releases of two episodes per week. Social media campaigns featuring teasers, behind-the-scenes footage, and cast interviews ensured we maintained buzz across platforms. By combining accessibility with dynamic marketing, we broadened the show’s reach beyond its core audience.

The cast features a mix of experienced actors and emerging talent. How did you approach the casting process to bring these multifaceted characters to life?

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Casting was one of the most fascinating parts of the process. We sought seasoned actors to anchor the emotional depth of the story, along with fresh faces who could bring rawness and unpredictability. Each actor was carefully chosen to embody the complex relationships and evolving dynamics of their characters.

Karuvanam is part of the industry and Mediacorp’s efforts to push boundaries in Tamil content. How do you see it contributing to the growth of Tamil entertainment in Singapore?

I believe “Karuvanam” has sparked conversations about how we can innovate within traditional genres like supernatural drama, making them more relevant for modern audiences. This will inspire creators to take bold risks and help Singaporean Tamil content find its place on the global stage.

What has been the audience response to Karuvanam so far, and how does it align with your vision for the series?

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The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Viewers have deeply connected with the story, the complexity of the characters, and the visual artistry. Many have shared how the themes of family, legacy, and inner strength resonate with them personally. I’ve also received messages from people saying they’re watching the series with their families for the first time in years. Seeing the discussions and theories unfold online has been incredibly rewarding.

 

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About Reeti Garg 359 Articles
Being outstanding in school and college for her academics and sports, little did she know that her passion for writing about unobserved people, stranded things and mysteries of the heart would lead her to become a professional writer later in life! An avid reader and a hardcore movie buff, her favorite past time is listening to music and writing poems. She is a published author and on her way to completing her second book ‘Under the Falling Stars’, a thriller on bisexuality. In this short span of 4 years of being a professional writer, she has been associated with many articles for renowned magazines and newspapers, blogs, short stories and poetries. Names associated with her writing skills are ‘Meri Sajni’, ‘Akinchan Bharat’, ‘Hamara Ghaziabad’, mycity4kids.com. Aspiring to be famous and known as a soulful author one day, she would love to settle someday in the silent disquietedness of London countryside, where she plans to just sip coffee and keep writing trilogies.

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