Double impact
VIJAY GEORGE
|
Dileep and Gopika play the lead roles in the Kamal film `Pachakkuthira.'
|
TWO IS COMPANY: Dileep and Gopika on the sets of `Pachakkuthira.'
In a business where dreams are hawked every day, there is a category of people who comprise the `also-rans.'
Though at times as talented as their more lucky and "privileged cousins" in the business, most of them wait, often in vain, for that one big role that will transform their lives.
Kamal's `Pachakkuthira' (Grasshopper), already in the news for Dileep's double role, focusses on the `extras' or junior artistes who are needed to fill the frames but almost always remain out of focus in the big picture.
On the Sacred Heart College campus in Thevara, Kochi, which is the location for a shoot, the junior artistes arrive in a bus that, incidentally, has been named `Super Star.' Anandakkuttan, enacted by Dileep, is a `junior artist supplier.' He recruits the `extras' needed for the film. He too faces the camera at times to earn some extra bucks.
"The usually neglected lot of junior artistes - of all ages, sizes and shapes - occupies centre stage in the film," says the hero.
The heroine, Nimmy (Gopika), had been his assistant, even during the earlier days when Anandakkuttan was trying to make a living as a small-time businessman in the tea and garment sectors. Cinematographer P. Sukumar opts for a wide angle as the bus comes in and some close-ups ensue.
Many known faces on the big and small screens, including Nishant Sagar, Machaan Varghese, Kalabhavan Shajon, Dinesh, Vijeesh, Bijukkuttan and Chandra Lakshman, make their presence felt as the next scene being canned depicts a film-shooting in progress.
Quite a few starry-eyed youngsters join the group, obviously in pursuit of their moment of fame in front of the camera.
Dileep appears in a double role in `Pachakkuthira.' He will portray two brothers called Akash Menon and Anandakkuttan.
According to the script writer T.A. Shahid, the title of the film has a great deal of significance as the arrival of his younger brother from Europe is poised to bring luck and prosperity for Anandakkuttan.
Significance of the title
The title plays on the belief among many Malayalis that a grasshopper is the harbinger of luck. The story takes a different turn after the arrival of the younger brother. Kamal refuses to give any clues about the character of the younger Dileep, except that the role would be special and could be one of the most challenging roles that the actor has done.
"Anandakkuttan has had a troubled childhood with his parents separating early in his life. He grew up like an orphan as his mother had left for Europe and his brother was born there. Anandakkuttan survived by doing odd jobs and it was his friend Chandran Karothupady (Salimkumar) who got him an opening as a junior artiste `Pachakkuthira' narrates the story of two brothers and what selfless love means in life," explains Shahid.
Gopika, who has made a name for herself in Tamil films, is now seen more in Malayalam films particularly since the success of `Chanthupottu' opposite Dileep. "By God's grace I've been receiving some really good roles here and I hope it continues from now on," she says. Gopika has just completed a Telugu film.
In `Pachakkuthira,' Kamal has teamed up with music director Ilayaraja. Lyrics are by Gireesh Puthanchery, editing by K. Rajagopal and the stills are by Sunil Guruvayoor. The film has been produced by Babu Shaheer under the banner of Majestic cinema and will be a Vishu release.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
