After the recently released film ' Sadhu Mirandaa,' Alka Films is to produce its second film 'Varnam.'

Despite having grown up in Madurai and spent a major part of his life in the US as a computer engineer, his love for films brings S M Raju into the country to make his debut as a director. He has been executive producer in Santosh Sivan's Malayalam film 'Anandabadran.' He has directed some short films and stage plays too.

"The dreams, fantasies and expectations when one is young are sweet. But as time goes by, those become unrealistic, change shape and fade away. This is life's experience. At the same time, these experiences are like a teacher teaching lessons in life. What we meet in life everyday in today's world is like that. The hero of my film Giri, is one such man," says S M Raju.

Numbed by caste differences and his father's death in the village upheavals, Giri comes to his uncle's place in the hills with beautiful coffee estates. A different world unfolds before him here.

Misty mornings, cool breezes, load bearing horses, soft blue skies, the temple on the outskirts, uncle's affection, separation from mother, friendship with school teacher Kavitha , playing pranks with his new found schoolmates, the village festival, his girl schoolmate who invokes adolescent love in him, are life's experiences he goes through, when he unexpectedly meets a man.

The truth he learns about him and the events that transpire unsettle not only him, but the viewers too. What Giri has to pay for his conscience will stun the viewers. Some events that shook Tamilnadu, form an integral part of the story.

Newcomer Giri, Ashwata, Monica Sampath and Gautham play important roles. After screening hundreds of people, Giri has been chosen. He hails from Chinnalapatti.

The shooting has been done in Kodaikanal areas like Pannaikaadu, Panrimalai, Pulaveli, Manjaparappu, Theni, Kurangani, Aiyampalayam, Dindugal, Munnar, Chennai, Gummidipoondi, and Tada in Andhra.

According to the director, it was an unforgettable experience to have done shooting in hilly areas where even cell phone signal was not there.