Engineer is a shelved Tamil language film directed by Gandhi Krishna

Gandhi Krishna

Gandhi Krishna is a Tamil film director. He has worked as an assistant to Shankar before he made his first film.-Filmography:-References:...

 and written by Sujatha

Sujatha Rangarajan

Sujatha was the pseudonym of the Tamil writer 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 writers in Tamil literature, and a regular contributor to topical columns in Tamil...

 originally slated to be released in 1999. The film was based on the true story of the Sardar Sarovar Dam project and was being made in Tamil with planned versions in Telugu and Hindi too. The film had featured Arvind Swamy

Arvind Swamy

Arvind Swamy is a former Indian film actor. He has acted in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi. Popular movies to his credit include Roja, Bombay, Minsaara Kanavu, Indira, Devaraagam, Alaipayuthey.- Early life :...

 and Madhuri Dixit

Madhuri Dixit

Madhuri Dixit is an Indian film actress who has appeared in Hindi films. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, she established herself as one of Hindi cinema's leading actresses and most accomplished dancers. She appeared in numerous commercially successful films and was recognised for several of...

 in the leading roles, with music composed by A.R. Rahman and cinematography by Jeeva.

However, the film was shelved after 80 percent of shooting was completed. As of 2007, the project was reported to be restarting and the film will have a new look with a different cast and producer, but nothing has been finalised til date.

Plot

The original film was based on a dam being built across a village.The story of the film is set in a village that faces the threat of perishing if the dam is constructed. The engineer (played by Arvind Swamy) undertakes the project for corporate interests. The wife of the engineer (Madhuri Dixit), fights against insensitive authorities that do not seem to be concerned with villagers' woes. She is left numb when she learns that her husband is also a part of the dam project.

Production

The film was announced on January 16, 1997 with the films's shooting beginning a week later. Initially the production team had offered the film to Madhuri, but she declined sue to the controversial aspects of the subject. After the Supreme Court order on the Narmada dam project, Gandhi approached Madhuri with renewed interest and this time, the actress agreed to play the role with renewed interest. The costumes of the film were handled by fashion designer duo Anu-Aneez. Graphics artist Venkjy had worked in the film to multiply crowds, clone characters and serve up a 3-D song sequence.

The film ran in to financial trouble after 80% of the film's shoot had been shot and has since remained unreleased. Director Shankar

S. Shankar

Shankar is an Indian film director and producer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. He made his directional debut in Gentleman for which he was awarded the Filmfare Best Director Award...

, mentor of Gandhi Krishna, attempted to revive the project through his production house but was unsuccessful in doing so.

In 2004 after the success of Gandhi Krishna's Chellamae

Chellamae

Chellamae is a Tamil film directed by Gandhi Krishna, who directed the critically acclaimed Nila Kaalam. The film stars Vishal, Reema Sen, Bharath, Bhanupriya and Vivek. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Harris Jayaraj. The film became one of the highest grossing Tamil films of 2004...

, it was reported that the film was set to be revived with a new producer and a new cast led by Suriya in the lead role. However nothing has progressed since then.