A new chapter
PREMA MANMADHAN
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Madhupal, who has worked before and behind the camera, is also a writer.
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ACTOR AND AUTHOR: Madhupal has worked in most of the departments of filmmaking. Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar
This postgraduate in commerce is known more as a writer than an actor, with his collections of short stories turning popular. That could be the reason why Madhupal has decided to concentrate on writing in the film world too. He is in the process of making one of his short stories into a script or writing a brand new one, he says. His books like `Ee Jeevitham Jeevichu Theerkkunnathu', `Hebrewil Oru Premalekhanam' and `Jaini Veettile Pashukkal' (co-authored with Joseph Marien) are selling well, he says. Writing was something he did even in school, penning stories for Poombatta and Balayugam right from Class Five.
Madhupal's association with cinema dates back to the time when he was a kid in Palakkad. His father was running a cinema theatre, besides holding a job in Kerala State Electricity Board.
Movie buff
"I would go with my father to the theatre in the afternoon and watch all three shows. I have seen some movies for as many as 16 times. Even today, two is the minimum number of times I see a movie," he says.
Madhupal has worked in most of the departments of filmmaking: scripting, directing and acting.
After his post-graduation and journalism course, he turned to the film world. Unfortunately, many of the projects he was associated with as associate director or scriptwriter never saw the light of day: `Australia,' a movie with Mohanlal in the lead was one. Another was `Yamanam,' which was directed by Bharat Gopi.
Madhupal assisted Rajeev Anchal in `Butterflies' and `Kashmeeram.' He turned actor in `Kashmeeram' because they could not find someone to do that role. It was a negative role and more of such roles came his way after that. Finally, Madhupal found success on the small screen, both as an actor and director. He won the Critic's Award for the second best actor for his role of Hari in the series on `MT Kathakal,' called `Kazhcha,' telecast on Amritha TV. He also assisted Jude Attipetty in the direction of `Shararandal' a 13-part serial. He directed and acted in about 10 serials and did a couple of documentaries for the Water Authority, Public Works Department and Sports Council after which he started writing for several Malayalam magazines.
Recently, he did a small role in `Lion,' as Dileep's friend. He was assistant director for the movie, `Made in USA'; which had Madhavan in the lead. It was shot in the United States (U.S.). "The experience in the U.S. was something I cannot forget. Filmmaking is very different and that is where I saw spot editing for the first time. Everything is so well planned that no time is lost. The editor is on location full time. I learnt so much in that period," Madhupal says.
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World of letters
Madhupal is drawn more and more into the world of letters. Social activities also keep him occupied. He was engaged in several projects to help the tsunami affected, as he is also associated with Shantigiri Ashram.
"I can do more in the scripting department of the film world, I feel. My experience in all the other departments of film making will certainly help in visualisation," Madhupal says. Thus the decision to concentrate on scripts henceforth.
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