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Jacobinte Swargarajyam?) And how much was the involvement of Anurag Kashyap, apart from writing the Hindi dialogues?
Working with Geetu is something every actor looks forward to. When she first briefed me about this film, I had a vague idea of how the character will look like but from the time she gave a detailed narration of my character, I was itching to perform. At that point, I was shooting Hey Jude and Kayamkulam Kochunni. When a character excites me, I won’t get sleep till I finish shooting. Moothon is a movie that will surely excite the audience and every film lover. It is indeed an honour to work with some of the best film technicians in this country that also includes the icon — Anurag Kashyap. As an actor, you get to learn a lot from people like him and Geetu. For me shooting Moothon was going back to college and honing your skills. It helps you immensely.
You are also working with Rajeev Ravi on Thuramukham. Can you share more about the project - how and why you chose the film, and how is it challenging/different from others?
Working with Rajeev Ravi is a blessing. He is one among the best filmmakers we have in the country today. His style of narration is completely different from others. We were supposed to work on another project but then Thuramukham happened. It’s an ambitious project and one that will keep you on your toes. I don’t want to divulge any details of it now. Every movie comes with a challenge and it’s the experience that helps you overcome that challenge. Be it Kayamkulam Kochunni, Moothon or Thuramukham, it is all about how you see each movie and play your cards accordingly. For me all these movies have given utmost satisfaction.
Moothon, along with Jallikattu, goes to Toronto, a festival that has feted films by auteurs such as Adoor Gopalakrishnan. How do you see this, especially, the role of young filmmakers in Kerala in taking cinema to new heights?
It’s truly an honour to be featured in TIFF. I always wanted my films to reach a wider audience and to have an opening as big as TIFF for Moothon is quite special. Movies like Moothon and Jallikattu will surely take Malayalam industry to great heights.
Would you describe this as a golden age for Malayalam cinema, where young talents are experimenting and bursting at their seams?
If you go back and see how Malayalam cinema has fared among the rest, there was always a golden period. I think its a continuation of that. The reality is that we have some amazing young filmmakers who are constantly experimenting in cinema and thanks to the writers who come up with fresh and strong content.
Coming to the lighter side of things, how would you describe Love Action as a festival release? How different is Dineshan, your character, from other similar boy-next-door roles you have done?
It’s a complete package of a commercial cinema. It has romance, humour and of course some drama. Dineshan and team will surely make you happy. I don’t want to spoil the fun. So, it’s better if you go to the theatre and watch it.
You work with Nayantara, one of South Indian cinema’s most popular stars in How would you describe her as a co-star? And on her character too, how feminine-centric is the film, given that Malayalam cinema now gives more space for fleshed out female characters than before?
Nayanthara is a gem of a person. She is very genuine and down to earth. When she was on the set, it was all fun. She makes you so comfortable. We had a great time working together. LAD will be one among her best for sure. Yes, you’re right. Off-late we have seen filmmakers giving more space to female centric roles and that’s indeed welcoming. We need more of strong female centric films that give a good message and that takes our films one step higher.
With this casting coup, do you hope to further cash in on the popularity you have in Tamil Nadu? More so because Premam was such a rage in the state?
Thanks to the success of Premam, it’s good to see that they support all your films. Be it Tamil or Malayalam. Ever since LAD was announced, I have been getting calls from Tamilians asking about the release.
You have just announced Padavettu, a film apparently set in the future. What appealed to you about the film, and what are your considerations now in choosing new projects?
Padavettu is a very different subject all together. It’s something I have not attempted so far. It’s produced by actor Sunny Wayne. There is a freshness in the story, and I am looking forward to it.
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