An impressive debut
Vijay George
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Kukku Surendran's debut film `Oraal' impressed the critics and cine buffs.
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CUT FOR THE JOB: Kukku Surendran interacts with Mukesh during the filming of `Oraal.'
He has only one passion in life-films. Luckily, things has been going well for Kukku Surendran on this front.
His debut film, `Oraal' was the inaugural film at the Cochin International Film Festival and the Soorya Film Festival. `Well received', the film has just hit the theatres. `Oraal' (Someone), produced by his brother "is an offbeat film, but not necessarily in the mould of the general perception of such films here," says the director.
Good cinema
"I have not made the film for a particular segment of the audience. It can be enjoyed and most importantly, understood by all viewers. To those queries on why I have not resorted to a more symbolic approach, my answer is that I don't believe in such things. I enjoy good cinema and Oraal could be placed in between the peculiar commercial and the so-called arty lines," says Kukku, whose original name is Subil Surendran.
"Everyone knows me as Kukku and I decided to retain it," smiles he.
The engineering graduate is a relative of the noted photographer filmmaker, Sivan, who brought him closer to the film world.
"We are like one big family and I have always associated with my cousins, including well known cinematographer Santosh Sivan. I have been assisting Sangeeth Sivan in most of his films."
`Oraal', which has Mukesh and Shriya Reddy in the lead roles, depicts the story of writer and filmmaker Gautam Shankar, who is on a trip to a jungle to complete his next script. His life takes a dramatic twist as the script progresses.
Why did Kukku cast Mukesh as the protagonist Gautam Shankar?
"Mukesh asked me the same question. I had him in mind all along., as I needed an experienced actor and he suited the role ."
And for the role of Isha, a painter who shares a live-in relationship with Gautam, he had thought of a few names and finally decided on Shriya, the popular VJ of SS Music channel. Kukku says that she was chosen even before her Malayalam debut film, `Black', came out.
Krishnan, who is mainly into theatre, plays the role of the "stranger", who has a vital role in the film.
Filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, who watched `Oraal' during the Cochin International Film Festival "has told me that it is a good film. He told me to drop by his house for more comments and suggestions," says a buoyant Kukku, after the screening at Kochi.
Kukku is currently working on some scripts but "it is too early to announce them." What interest him, other than films? "I am completely hooked by the medium. I am a movie buff and watches at least one film a day."
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