Not bogged down by controversies
Vijay George
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Vinayan remains unaffected by controversies and the resultant hullabaloos.
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UNAPOLOGETIC: Film director Vinayan.
Even in the midst of controversies, which, by now, seems to have become a habit for him, he is unflappable as ever. Sitting alone in a hotel room, he is engrossed in the script of his next film, the shooting for which is all set to begin next month.
He has never minced words to make his opinions clear and has locked horns with many an influential person. Not that he is worried though. No one can deny the fact that he has consistently managed to make hit films, mostly with lesser-known faces. In an exclusive interview, he faces questions on some of the controversies that have come up during his career in films. Excerpts:
You seem to tread a different path. Is that intentional?
If that pertains to my films, yes. I have done only a couple of movies with superstars. Instead, I believe in experimenting with new subjects in my films and that too with relatively fresh faces at times. I have been lucky, as I have been blessed with success most of the time.
Do you feel that some of your colleagues in the film industry keep away from you?
Quite a lot of my friends have told me about this. I was never part of any coterie and I hate appeasing the stars for favours. Yet, every one is cordial to me when I meet them, though I know some of them do crib behind my back.
Was your debut film `Superstar,' in which the hero had an uncanny resemblance to Mohanlal, instrumental in ruffling the feathers of a section of the film industry?
The film was made more than 15 years back, much before the mimicry stars started aping the film stars in the way it is seen now. I still believe that the film had a nice storyline, which went unnoticed in the midst of all those controversies that never seem to end. I thought that Mohanlal would take it in good spirit.
Your films like `Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum pinne njanum' and `Karumadikkuttan' have been received well. Still, you are not counted as a serious filmmaker by some. Why?
Though the films that you mentioned have won several awards, they were not included even among the top 10 films in those years. More recently, I had expected that `Adbhuthadweepu,' in which I had lined up 300 short men would feature in one of the film festivals. But it didn't, not even as an experimental film. In 1999 alone, I had three super hits and one hit. Well, I am only concerned about the support from the audience, which I get almost every time I come up with something different.
And you are being criticized for films dealing with physically disabled protagonists?
What's wrong with such themes? If sequels are being made with the same characters, why can't I create stories with a positive message about certain disadvantaged sections in society. Remember, they too are part of our society though we turn a blind eye towards them.
Prithviraj was supposed to be your protégé for some time now...
That was another false rumour. Prithviraj worked with me in lesser number of films than even Dileep, who has acted in six of my films. I had cast Dileep as a solo hero in `Kalyanasaugandhikam,' much before he became a big star. Now, after such talks surfaced, I have not included Prithviraj in my films for some time. Why should the young man risk the wrath of others by working with me?
The latest controversy to hit the headlines involve both the reigning superstars for `showing them in a ridiculous way' in a song in `Boyy Friennd.' Your comments.
In the film, it has been clearly mentioned that they are two mimicry artists, who disguise themselves as Mammootty and Mohanlal before the students. But in the end they get caught wearing the masks of the stars. I have neither used any dialogues to ridicule the stars nor used the shots to market my film. Even the songs were aired in the channels after the film was released. Still, I have the `rare honour' of being asked for an explanation from the actors' organisation, AMMA, even though I am not their member.
The office bearers of AMMA have reportedly denied having sent such a letter. The grapevine has it that a prominent young star of Malayalam films is behind such an attack against me.
Can you name him?
No names please. Those in the film circles know who he is and tarnishing the image of others has never been my business.
Jagathy Sreekumar is there in your next film. Have both of you buried the hatchet? Some misunderstandings had happened after he failed to report for `Boyyfriennd' on time. I knew that he could not be there on my sets on time and I went ahead with another actor. I feel that we all need to be more professional on matters like this.
Is steering clear of controversies part of your New Year resolutions?
(Laughs) The controversies are totally uncalled for and I am always being dragged into these issues by others. But one thing is for sure. I will continue voicing my opinions against injustice and hypocrisy.
A happy ending?
The President of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists), Innocent, plays down the controversy over the song in Vinayan's `Boyy Friennd.' But he agrees that he had sent a letter to Vinayan, with copies to certain others.
"We felt the need for clarifications on certain aspects, which have been mentioned in the letter," says Innocent. He believes that sending such a letter to the member of another organisation was not a big issue as the matter is within the film fraternity. Innocent hopes that the director will respond to the letter and in true filmi style, the issue will have a happy ending.
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