Two films under this AIDS Jaago programme, one directed by Vishal Baradwaj and the other by Santosh himself, were also screened. The films have been dubbed in Tamil titled Vazhkai Mukkiyam – Vizhithidu.

Vishal’s film starred actor Siddharth and Ayesha Takia while Santhosh’s film had Saroja Devi and Prabhu Deva playing important roles.

Said Santhosh who viewed the film along with the audience, “The original version of my film is titled Prarambha and was shot in Kannada and I am happy its been dubbed into Tamil to reach a wider audience. We spent a lot of time in Mysore speaking to sex workers and incorporated elements from real life into the film. The actors did the films for a very low remuneration. The films will also be screened abroad in countries like Canada and USA and we thought it would be a good idea to screen them before a feature film. The films have a duration of 13 minutes each.”

The other two films have been directed by Farhan Akhtar and Mira Nair. Also present on the occasion were Dr Laxmibai project director of TAI and Padma Chandrasekaran, head, Immunization and Vaccines, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Said Padma, “There are over 2 million Indians living with HIV today and the films are based on men’s unsafe sexual behaviour and the fear that the social stigma of AIDS breeds. We are grateful to the distinguished directors who have contributed and are confident that with the release of the films in Tamil we will be able to reach a wider audience.”