Master of his career
G. JAYAKUMAR
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Thilakan's passion for acting and films helps him overcome all kinds of hurdles.
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Photo: Mahesh Harilal
FOCUSSED ON HIS CAREER: Thilakan says he would like to do the role of a philosopher.
He is 70. He has undergone a by-pass surgery. He suffers from diabetes. He is taking Ayurveda treatment for a disc ailment and another surgery might be necessary. He feels that some of his co-workers conspired to finish off his career. Yet in a firm voice he says, "I am back. No one can stop me."
Yes. Thilakan is back in Malayalam films with an important role in the recently released `Chinthamony Kola Case.' It is the kind of role that he excels in. That of a father searching for his missing daughter, a student of medicine who is presumed killed.
"When I stand before the camera, concentrating fully on the character, I forget all my physical difficulties. Acting is a form of imitating, to recreate life after visualising how the character lives in real life. We form some ideas about the character in our minds," he explains. The title role in `Perunthachan' remains one of his favourite roles.
A father's plight
"In `Chinthamony Kola Case,' the director and producer wanted me to show my feelings on my face. Only through facial expressions, without moving the body."
While studying the character of the father in `Chinthamony Kola Case,' Thilakan says that he was reminded of Eachara Warier's plight. Warier was the father of P. Rajan, the engineering student who went missing during the Emergency. Thilakan had met Eachara Warier and talked to him.
"With Eachara Warier's face in my mind, I was able to bring all emotions to the fore while doing the role," he says.
Thilakan is now in the fiftieth year of his acting career. A career that began when he was in his twenties. Forced to leave intermediate college mid-way, he and friends formed a drama troupe called `Mundakayam Nataka Samithy.' "When my father came to know of my drama activities, I was refused food. Thus, I was compelled to leave home," he reminisces.
Till 1966 he worked with KPAC followed by Kalidasa Kala Kendra, Changanacherry Geetha, and P.J.Antony's troupe. In 1979, Thilakan did a minor role in the film `Ulkadal.' It was in `Kolangal' that he acted as the main character Kallu Varkey, a drunkard. Thilakan established himself as an actor after he got his first State award in 1981 for his role in `Yavanika.' The film `Kireedam' was another milestone in his career, noted for his unforgettable portrayal of the helpless father. In 1987, he received the National Award for his performance in `Rithubhedam.' Again in 1995, and in 1998, he won the State awards for `Santhanagopalam' and `Gamanam.' It was around this period that he stopped getting film offers.
"I had some problems with our actors' organisation. I had enemies. On one occasion some people saw to it that my film `Kudumbavishesangal' was not sent for the awards. Today the very same persons say a consensus has been reached. I do not know what it is," he adds.
Brushing aside such niggling issues, Thilakan is happiest when talking about films and actors. A great admirer of Hollywood actors like Marlon Brando, Sydney Poitier, Charlton Heston, Spencer Tracey, Sir Lawrence Olivier, Thilakan describes certain scenes of theirs that he cherishes.
"Among the women, I was fascinated by Elizabeth Taylor after seeing her role in the "Million Dollars Mermaid.' Later I saw Sophia Loren and was bowled over. Surely, no one can outdo her. In `Sound of Music,' I liked Julie Andrews.
Thilakan has acted in films in other languages too. In Tamil, 12 films from `Kshatriyan' to the recent `Nee vennuda chelvum.'
Thilakan is passionate about reading and writing and writes occasionally for periodicals.
About the future Thilakan says: "I would like to do a character like Socrates in films. I have already done it on stage. That was a play I wrote with P.J. Antony after reading Plato's writings on Socrates. Through a film role I feel I will be able to communicate something of Socrates' philosophy to the public."
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