Cinematographer Jibu Jacob had sprung a big surprise last year, as a debutant director. Not merely ‘Vellimoonga’ earned praise for a highly enjoyable comedy, it went on to become one of the biggest hits of the year.
It may not be easy to live up to the expectations raised by ‘Vellimoonga’, but Jibu has got Mohanlal for his new film, the script of which is being written by M. Sindhuraj. “We should be able to begin shoot soon,” Sindhuraj told The Hindu . “Mohanlal liked the concept and agreed to do it straightaway,” he said.
“The film will see Mohanlal playing a panchayat secretary,” explains Sindhuraj, who wrote films such as ‘Jalolsavam’, ‘Thappana’ and ‘Elsamma Enna Aankutty’. “The hero is a common man. And our audiences love Mohanlal in such roles.”
The film is based on a short story by V.J. James. It is the second time Sindhuraj is adapting fiction by another writer. The first was ‘Thappana’, based on a work in Bengali by Ashapoorna Debi.“‘Thappana’ is one of the films very close to my heart. Its characters look real. I always try to create characters and plots that a layman could relate to.
The Mohanlal film too will be a realistic one,” he says.
Filmmakers who remain sceptical of the cinematic potential of real life tales may take heart from the reception accorded to Ennu Ninte Moideen , a period romantic drama starring Prithviraj and Parvathy directed by debutant R.S. Vimal, both by the critics and audience alike.
It presents a classic case of how a compelling real life incident can be adapted for the screen without compromising on the aesthetics of the medium.
One of the factors attributed to the success of Ennu Ninte Moideen is its lyrical narration with brilliant visuals, say film industry sources.
Incidentally, another film released recently serves a stark reminder that not all real life incidents, no matter how intense or fascinating they may be, can have the same impact in their cinematic form.
Notwithstanding its limited release, the film TP 51 , based on the life of slain RMP leader T.P. Chandrasekharan, failed to create a ripple.
The drastically different fates of two films with themes spun around real life incidents reassert the fact that it all boils down to the director’s ability to narrate the tale in compliance with the grammar of cinema.
Real life drama is nothing new to Mollywood as filmmakers have tried it on and off in the past.
Thalappavu , the directorial debut of actor-writer Madhupal seven years ago was based on the events related to the death of Naxalite Varghese.
It bagged the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for Lal and Best Debut Director.
In the recent past, veteran filmmaker Kamal struck gold with Celluloid , a biopic on J.C. Daniel, who is considered the father of Malayalam cinema.
Incidentally, all three films – Ennu Ninte Moideen, Thalappavu and Celluloid – featured actor Prithviraj.
Should politicians waste time watching films? And, even if they watch, should they be expressing their opinions and criticisms on the same publicly?
These were some of the amusing, and at times absurd questions heard last week, after a young MLA belonging to the ruling party published a review of Ennu Ninte Moideen .
Even while praising the film, he pointed out a few glaring inconsistencies in the timelines in which it is set.
The timelines are important in such a film based on real life characters.
But an MLA voicing his opinions about a film does not seem to have gone down well with many, who advised him to focus on ‘more important issues’.
Such unsolicited advise generally comes from seeing art as not worthy of the consideration of public servants and politicians and also from expecting them to be involved only in serious pursuits.
A politician has as much right as any of the thousands of online reviewers to say what he feels about a film or a book or a song.
Reporting by M.P. Praveen, S.R. Praveen
and P.K. Ajith Kumar
Mohanlal will play a Panchayat secretary in the ‘Vellimoonga’ director’s second film, which is an adaptation by M. Sindhuraj of V.J. James’s short story.
Published - September 27, 2015 12:00 am IST
